An adventurer and selfless builder of health services in Newfoundland
When Dr. Wilfred Grenfell first arrived on the coast of Labrador in 1892, he was astonished by what he found in the remote fisherman community; with a population of 30,000 there was not a single medical doctor. Sir Grenfell quickly committed himself to improve the medical, economic and spiritual needs of the fishermen and their families. Eventually, he would build the region's first hospital and ultimately improve the social, health and economic status of those who populated the area.
Beyond his medical mission, Sir Grenfell also sought to improve social services and developed a small industry where none had existed before. This initiative enabled residents to sell homemade goods such as hooked rugs and knitted items in North American retailers.