A builder of surgery programs in Canada and passionate advocate for scientific research in medicine
From instructor at the University of Alberta, Dr. Mackenzie rose to Professor and Chair of the Department of Surgery. In short order he established seven sub-specialty departments and implemented rigorous standards for the selection of staff, assessing soft skills alongside research achievements, not a typical approach in the early sixties. His influential, congenial and forward thinking style penetrated the spirit of the entire University of Alberta Faculty of Medicine as he built strong medicine and surgical programs and assumed tremendous leadership in medical education.