Canadian Medical Hall of Fame

2003 INDUCTEE Charles Hollenberg, MD Diabetes, Leadership in Organizational Development

Born:

September 15, 1930

(Winnipeg, Manitoba)

Died:

April 8, 2003

Education:

MD, University of Manitoba (1955)

Awards & Honours:

1999: Gairdner Wightman Award

1991: Officer of the Order of Canada

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Picture of Charles Hollenberg

Invigorated Canadian academic medicine

Dr. Charles Hollenberg

A leader of the Canadian academic medical community

After receiving his MD from the University of Manitoba and pursing post-graduate training in internal medicine, Dr. Charles Hollenberg turned to a life of academic medicine and leadership.

Dr. Hollenberg’s academic career began at McGill University in the 1960s, where he carried out an active programme of research in fat metabolism, and actively promoted the growth of scientific medicine at the Montreal General Hospital. The following decade he spent as Chairman of the Department of Medicine at the University of Toronto, where he was successful in furthering the mission of the department in all areas: teaching, administration and, most notably, in research.

Key Facts

Became a full professor at McGill University at the age of 37

Impacted the field of endocrinology and the management of diabetes with his study of lipid metabolism

Introduced clinical practice plans within departments of medicine to encourage the growth of academic research

Facilitated the development of subspecialty disciplines in faculties of medicine

Awarded many honorary degrees

Professional timeline

Impact on lives today

Dr. Hollenberg’s legacy in academic medical research still impacts lives today. The Banting and Best Diabetes Centre continues to advance research on diabetes with its network of more than 200 faculty and health care providers. Building on the foundation established by Dr. Hollenberg, the Centre remains committed to using multidisciplinary approaches in research in order to develop innovative ways of improving patient well-being. In addition, Cancer Care Ontario has become the Ontario government’s principal cancer advisor. Their mission is to equip health professionals, organizations and policy-makers with the most up-to-date cancer knowledge and tools to prevent cancer and deliver high quality patient care. This advocacy and support will impact countless lives for many years to come.

Picture of Charles Hollenberg - right

2003

  • Charles Hollenberg posthumously inducted into the Canadian Medical Hall of Fame

    London, Ontario

  • Charles Hollenberg accepted the position of President and CEO of the Ontario Cancer Treatment and Research Foundation (OCTRF)

    Leadership in Organizational Development

    He gave this organization, which had been providing excellent clinical care but was beset with administrative problems, a new life as Cancer Care Ontario and Cancer Care International.

  • Dr. Hollenberg served as Vice Provost (Health Sciences) in the Faculty of Medicine.

    He was particularly noted for his skill in recruiting and mentoring promising young researchers and practitioners.

  • Charles Hollenberg became Director of the Banting and Best Diabetes Centre

    Diabetes

    Through his creative leadership, he brought together an interdisciplinary research team to advance diabetes research.

  • After a decade at McGill, Dr. Hollenberg moved to the University of Toronto.

    He became Chair of the Department of Medicine and Physician-in-Chief of the Toronto General Hospital. Under his leadership, the department transformed into a centre of dynamic scientific investigation.

  • Dr. Hollenberg was awarded a grant from the Banting Research Foundation.

    This support facilitated his research on lipid metabolism.

  • Hollenberg began his research career.

    After graduating from medicine at the University of Manitoba, Dr. Hollenberg joined the department of Medicine at McGill University.

1960

I work hard…I persevere.

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