2011 INDUCTEE Paul David, MD Heart & Vessels, Leadership in Organizational Development, Health Policy

Born:

December 25, 1919

(Montréal, Québec )

Died:

April 5, 1999

Education:

MD, University of Montreal (1944)

Awards & Honours:

2016: Commander of the Ordre de Montréal

1988: Grand Officier de l’Ordre National du Québec

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Paved the way for the advancement of cardiology in Québec

Quebec’s father of cardiology

After studying medicine at the University of Montreal, Dr. David pursued a new science yet in its infancy: cardiology.

In Montreal, Dr. David was approached by the Sisters of Charity with a request to head the cardiology unit of Maisonneuve Hospital. A visionary at a young age, he insisted on being given an entire floor of the hospital complete with its own separate administration, foreseeing an institute dedicated entirely to the development of cardiology. In 1954, Dr. David's dream became a reality with the opening of the Montreal Heart Institute (MHI), Canada's first facility to consolidate all cardiology services under one roof. Considered the heart and soul of the MHI, Dr. David was the Institute’s director from its inception to his retirement in 1985.

Key Facts

Supervised the first surgery to correct mitral stenonis

Expanded the number of beds at the MHI from 45 to 172 beds by 1973

Authored more than 170 scientific publications

Presided over many organizations, including the Canadian Cardiovascular Society and l’Association des Médecins de Langue Française du Canada

Involved in many humanitarian causes, including the Carrefour des chrétiens des services de santé, the Cardinal Léger Institute Against Leprosy and the Claude Brunet Foundation

Appointed by Brian Mulroney to serve in Canada’s Senate

Professional timeline

Impact on lives today

A humanitarian, devoted husband and father of six children, Dr. David has left an impressive legacy due to his exceptional dedication to serving the needs of others. Dr. David and the Montreal Heart Institute not only created a centre of medical excellence, which can claim many medical firsts, he also created a model of holistic heart care than has since become common practice in many countries. As a leader in cardiology, Dr. David facilitated the advancement of his field and inspired others to follow. Between 1954 and 1979, over seven hundred papers were published out of the MHI, a number that continues to grow to this day. Moreover, since the 1980s, more than two thousand heart transplants have taken place in Canada, thanks for the pioneering work of Dr. David and his team.

2011

April 28, 2011
Paul David inducted into the Canadian Medical Hall of Fame

London, Ontario
1985
At the age of 65 that he was appointed to the Canadian Senate by Prime Minister Mulroney.

Dr. David’s dedication to Canada never wavered, not even at the time of his retirement.
1983
Heart transplants successfully resumed at the MHI in 1983
Heart & Vessels
Following Dr. David’s advocacy that heart transplants cease until proper drugs were developed to stop organ rejection.
1980
The MHI oversaw the first coronary angioplasty in Canada
Heart & Vessels
1976
The Montreal Heart Institute Research Centre was founded
Heart & Vessels
The Centre’s initial focus was on clinical research but later expanded in basic science. It was at the Research Centre that scientists discovered a drug for the treatment of autoimmune disease, cyclosporine, could prevent the rejection of transplanted organs.
May 1968
Canada’s first heart transplant was performed in May of 1968
Heart & Vessels
1957
Quebec’s first experiments in open heart surgeries were conducted at the MHI
Heart & Vessels
1954
The Montreal Heart Institute (MHI) opened its doors with Dr. David serving as its first director
Leadership in Organizational Development
At the time MHI was made up of three cardiologists and two surgeons.
1951
In 1951, the Grey Nuns asked Dr. David to establish and lead the cardiology department of the Maisonneuve Hospital.
1948
Dr. David returned to Montreal began work at the Notre-Dame Hospital
1944
After graduating medical school, Dr. David travelled to Boston, and later Paris, to study with renowned cardiologists Paul Dudley White and Jean Lenègre.