Canadian Medical Hall of Fame

2014 INDUCTEE T. Jock Murray, MD Brain & Mind, Brain & Mind, Health & Humanities, Health and Medical Education & Training, Leadership in Organizational Development

Born:

May 30, 1938

(Pictou, Nova Scotia)

Education:

MD, Dalhousie University (1963)

Awards & Honours:

2017: Avery Medal, Dalhousie Society for Medical History

2014: Osler Medal, American Osler Society

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Picture of T. Jock Murray

Advanced the field of multiple sclerosis in Canada and advocated for the inclusion of the humanities in medical education

Dr. T. Jock Murray

An outstanding physician, builder, and mentor

Over his long career, Dr. Murray has made many important contributions to MS research and education both nationally and internationally. He founded and then directed the Dalhousie MS Research Unit for more than 20 years and was a founder and president of the International Consortium of MS Centers. As Dean of Medicine from 1985 to 1992, he proved himself an innovator in medical education creating a trendsetting, problem-based, tutorial format curriculum in the undergraduate years and a world-respected program in the medical humanities, He once wrote: “We need science, but science also needs the humanities to understand human values and the human questions and the human decisions that must guide our use of science.”

Key Facts

Published more than 300 medical articles, nine books, 43 textbook chapters and has held 91 research grants

Is the first, and still only, non-American to serve as the Chairman of the Board of Governors for the American College of Physicians

Established the Music-in-Medicine Initiative at Dalhousie Medical School, which involves over 130 students, professors and families of staff

Explored multiple topics in the history on medicine, including the maladies of Mozart, The ills and spills of presidents and kings, and The neurology of Lewis Carroll and Alice

Served as President of both the American Osler Society and the Canadian Society for the History of Medicine

Professional timeline

Impact on lives today

Dr. Murray has profoundly impacted learners and patients with his thoughtful, compassionate and outstanding teaching and medical care. His own research on multiple sclerosis and his ability to bring stakeholders together has allowed physicians to address the specific health care needs of MS patients. Dr. Murray’s immense legacy also rests in his commitment to the medical humanities and his tireless efforts to demonstrate their relevancy to health care professionals.

Picture of T. Jock Murray

2023

  • Dr. Jock Murray

    Thomas "Jock" Murray is inducted into the Canadian Medical Hall of Fame

    Kingston, Ontario

  • The Dr. TJ (Jock) Murray Resident Award for Leadership in Global Health was established

    The award recognizes excellence within residents at Dalhousie Medical School who demonstrate commitment to global health as they advocate for marginalized populations and explore new ways to engage in clinical service, education and research in underserviced populations in Canada and abroad.

  • The MS Society of Canada established the Dr. Jock Murray Fellowship in recognition of his decades of dedication to MS research and patients.

  • Dr. Jock Murray was awarded the Silver Medal for Best Book in History from Forefront Magazine for his book "Multiple Sclerosis: the History of a Disease"

    Health and Medical Education & Training

    It is internatonally recognized as the best source on the history of that disease. Dr. Murray is also author to a clinical textbook on MS.

  • Dr. Murray and his wife, Janet Murray co-authored "Fighting Doctor to Father of Confederation"

    The book is about Sir Charles Tupper, a CMHF Laureate and the only MD to become Prime Minister.

  • The American College of Physicians appointed Dr. Jock Murray as their representative to the White House Working Group on Disability of US Presidents

    Health Policy

    This group examined the implications of the 25th Amendment to the Constitution, which established the causes and procedures for the removal of the President of the United States. The working group’s report was presented to President Clinton in 1996 and endorsed by Presidents Carter and Ford.

  • Dr. Murray was a founder and became President of the International Consortium of Multiple Sclerosis Centres.

  • Dr. Murray becomes the Dean of Medicine at Dalhousie University

    Health and Medical Education & Training

    As the Dean of Medicine, a position he served in until 1992, he proved himself an innovator in medical education. He established a world-respected program in the Medical Humanities and restructured the medical curriculum to include a problem-based tutorial format. This revision was trend-setting among North American Medical Schools.

  • Dr. Murray served as Director of the Dalhousie MS Research Unit from 1980-2003.

    Understanding the body and disease process

  • Dr. Jock Murray joins the Dalhousie Medical Faculty in 1970

    Health and Medical Education & Training

    After graduating from Dalhousie Medical school, Dr. Murray set up a general medical practice in Nova Scotia for two years. He then trained in neurology in Halifax, London, and Toronto before joining the Dalhousie Medical Faculty in 1970.

1970

He places no boundaries on learning.

Additional Resources:

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