2020 INDUCTEE Joseph Martin, MD PhD Cells, Genetics & Genomics, Health and Medical Education & Training, Leadership in Organizational Development
October 20, 1938
(Bassano, Alberta)
MD, University of Alberta (1962)
PhD, University of Rochester (1971)
2017: Officer of the Order of Canada
2014: Honorary ScD, University of Ottawa
See All AwardsAwards & Honours:
2017: Officer of the Order of Canada
2014: Honorary ScD, University of Ottawa
2013: Honorary ScD, Western University
2012: Honorary ScD, University of Calgary
2007: Distinguished Alumni Award
2007: Honorary ScD, University of Montreal
2006: The Henry G. Friesen International Prize in Health Research
1999: Abraham Flexner Award for Distinguished Service to Medical Education, Association of American Medical Colleges
1998: Honorary ScD, University of Alberta
1997: Honorary ScD, Medical College of Wisconsin
1996: Honorary ScD, University of Rochester
1995: Fellow, American Association for the Advancement of Science
1994: Honorary ScD, McGill University
1980: Fellow, American Academy of Arts and Sciences
1978: Honorary AM, Harvard University
Helped to establish the discipline of neuroendocrinology
An innovative scientist, physician and exceptional leader
Born in southern Alberta to a Mennonite farm family, Dr. Joseph B. Martin has had an extraordinary decades-long career, eventually serving for ten years as Dean of Harvard Medical School. In all phases of his work, Dr. Martin has been distinguished for his ability to promote collaboration in building and expanding the institutional foundations of medical education and science in both Canada and the United States. The one characteristic that Dr. Martin's many colleagues have noted in his work is a reputation for honesty and the ability to inspire trust. Continued advancement of medical science depends on the skills exemplified by Dr. Martin. The ability of scientist-administrators to marshal resources, to coordinate teams of researchers and to model and foster collaborative exchange are essential to the organization and distribution of scientific knowledge.
Key Facts
Authored more than 200 peer-reviewed articles and co-edited Harrison’s Principles of Medicine, for five editions, one of the standard medical textbooks in North America
Served on the editorial boards of the New England Journal of Medicine, the Annals of Neurology, and Science
Is a member of the National Academy of Medicine (NAM) where he chaired the committee that developed the Human Brain mapping initiative
Served as President of the American Neurological Association
Professional timeline
Impact on lives today
Dr. Martin’s career has helped to ensure continued expansion of primary research and preparation of new generations of scientists and physicians at several of North America’s most important universities and research institutes. Today, the Dana Farber Harvard Cancer Centre brings together more than 1,100 cancer researchers to advance the boundaries of cancer research, train future cancer researchers, and work with thousands of patients in clinical trials. Moreover, Dr. Martin continues to offer his wisdom to Canadian scientists, clinicians and institutions to support the work of the many major research institutions he helped to shape.
2025
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Joseph Martin inducted into the Canadian Medical Hall of Fame
Virtual Ceremony (originally scheduled to be in Vancouver BC)
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Delivered the Bicentennial Holmes Lecture at McGill University
Health and Medical Education & TrainingDr. Martin presented a historical narrative of the opening, in the same year (1821-22), of two great hospitals, the Montreal General and the Massachusetts General.
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Dr. Martin published his memoir "Alfalfa to Ivy; Memoir of a Harvard Medical School Dean" (University of Alberta Press)
Six years later, he published a set of essays based upon commencement addresses entitled: "Reflections on Science, Religion and Society: A Medical Perspective" (Friesen Press).
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Upon stepping down as dean, Dr. Martin chose to remain at Harvard as the Edward R. and Anne G. Lefler Distinguished Professor of Neurobiology
Leadership in Organizational Development, Health and Medical Education & TrainingThat same year, Harvard University recognized Martin’s contributions with the naming of the Joseph B. Martin Conference Center at the medical school.
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Throughout his career, Dr. Martin remained committed to Canadian excellence in research
In 2005, he was a key figure in the development of the Ontario Brain Institute where he served as co-chair of the organizing committee for ten years.
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Under Dr. Martin’s leadership as dean, the Dana Farber Harvard Cancer Centre was established
Leadership in Organizational Development, Health and Medical Education & TrainingThe Centre is home to seven affiliated institutions who collaborate to improve research practice and reduce the cancer burden.
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Dr. Martin returned to Harvard to become Dean of the Faculty of Medicine
Health and Medical Education & TrainingDuring his tenure at Harvard, the medical school curriculum was comprehensively revised, a project achievable only with the highest levels of insight, expertise, and leadership.
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Dr. Joseph Martin became Dean of the School of Medicine at the University of California, San Francisco
Health and Medical Education & TrainingFour years later, he was promoted to Chancellor and led efforts to expand campus space devoted to biomedical, bioengineering and global health research.
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While in the United States, Dr. Martin still played an active role in the promotion of Canadian health research
From 1982 to 1987, he served on the Scientific Advisory Council for the Alberta Heritage Foundation for Medical Research
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Dr. Joseph Martin developed an NIH-sponsored Huntington’s Disease Research Center at Massachusetts General Hospital that brought together scientists from Harvard, MIT and Boston University
Cells, Genetics & GenomicsAt the lab, Dr. Martin and his team performed ground-breaking work in the genetics of Huntington’s Disease and Alzheimer’s disease.
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Described as a bitter-sweet decision, Dr. Martin moved to Massachusetts to become the Bullard Professor of Neurology at the Harvard Medical School
Health and Medical Education & TrainingHe was also appointed Chief of Neurology at the Massachusetts General Hospital.
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Dr. Martin returned to Canada to become Assistant Professor in the Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery at McGill University
Health and Medical Education & TrainingWithin a few years, Martin was named Chair of the department and Neurologist-in-Chief at the Montreal Neurological Institute.
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After graduating from medical school with the John W. Scott Gold Medal, Dr. Martin remained in Alberta to complete his internship at the University Hospital in Edmonton
He then travelled to Cleveland, Ohio to complete his residency in Neurology at University Hospital, Case Western Reserve University.
1962
He is capable of linking the best in patient care and advanced medical science.
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