Canadian Medical Hall of Fame

Building our health organizations and systems Public Health, Health Promotion & Advocacy

To achieve positive health outcomes in our communities we rely on active promotion of healthy lifestyles, avoidance of disease, injury and infections, and protection and empowerment the vulnerable and empowering the disadvantaged.

 

Nurse with Patient Walking Rehabilitation

Public Health, Health Promotion & Advocacy

  1. 1850

  2. 1869

    At the age of 26, Dr. Montizambert became medical superintendent at Grosse Île

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  3. 1883

    Robert Koch discovered the cholera bacillus

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  4. 1899

    Dr. Montizambert was tasked with establishing the Department of Agriculture’s first section devoted to public health

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  5. 1900

  6. 1910

  7. 1920

  8. 1921

    Insulin was discovered

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  9. 1924

    Connaught Laboratories began testing diphtheria toxoid

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  10. 1930

  11. 1932

    Elizabeth Bagshaw founded Canada’s first birth control clinic

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  12. 1940

  13. 1941

    Brock Chisholm became the Canadian Army’s Director of Personnel Selection and introduced mental health as a component of recruitment and management

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  14. 1949

    Recognizing a need for improved access to rehabilitation services, Dr. Gustave Gingras founded and directed the Rehabilitation Institute of Montreal

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  15. 1950

  16. 1950s

    Already an icon in the field of physical therapy, Dr. Gingras became a Canadian hero during the polio epidemic

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  17. 1960

  18. 1961

    Exploring National Health Insurance

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  19. 1963

    Gingras responded to another Canadian tragedy: thalidomide

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  20. 1968

    National Medicare was introduced

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  21. 1969

    The Birth Control Clinic became legal

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  22. 1969-1970s

    Vitamin D is added to bottled milk across Quebec

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  23. 1970

  24. 1974

    The National Food Distribution Centre for the Treatment of Metabolic Diseases is created

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  25. 1975

    Palliative Care in Canada

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  26. 1975

    Dr. Mount persuaded the leadership of the Royal Victoria Hospital and McGill University to open the first comprehensive palliative care service at the Royal Victoria Hospital

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  27. 1977

    Dr. Philip Berger began documenting torture sequelae in refugee claimants

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  28. 1978

    Elaine Carty receives Health Canada funding to explore the development of a midwife-led, out of hospital birth centre

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  29. 1980

  30. April 12, 1980

    Marathon of Hope

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  31. 1985

    Dr. Hankins is appointed to Canada’s National Advisory Committee on AIDS

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  32. 1985

    Dr. Mount published the Royal Victoria Hospital Manual on Palliative and Hospice Care

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  33. 1986

    The Centre for Agricultural Medicine at the University of Saskatchewan was founded

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  34. 1987

    As a response to the growing AIDS crisis, Dr. Chrétien chaired a commission on AIDS that resulted in a broad set of health and social recommendations

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  35. 1987

    In response to the stigma around AIDS, Philip Berger founded the Toronto HIV Primary Care Physicians Group and established the HIV Project Centre Primary Care Mentor Program to educate doctors and…

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  36. 1988

    The Agriculture Health and Safety Network began as a joint venture between the Centre for Agricultural Medicine, Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities and six Saskatchewan rural…

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  37. 1989

    Despite increased international commitments, Dr. Macklem never wavered in his support for Canadian medicine and research

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  38. 1990

  39. 1990

    Dr. Herbert is a founding member of UBC Institute of Health Promotion Research

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  40. Later years

    Fraser Mustard devoted his time and energy to early childhood development

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  41. 1991

    Noralou Roos becomes the Founding Director of the Manitoba Centre for Health Policy

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  42. 1992 - 1994

    Co-developed Guidelines for Participatory Action Research in Health Promotion

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  43. 1992

    Dr. Naylor was named the inaugural chief executive of the renowned Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences (ICES)

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  44. 1992

    Dr. Tator founded ThinkFirst Canada

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  45. 1993

    Dr. Mount played an integral role in the development of the Canadian Society of Palliative Care Physicians

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  46. 1993

    James Dosman became the founding Chair of the Canadian Coalition for Health and Safety in Agriculture

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  47. 1995

    The Ottawa Health Decision Center was founded by Annette O'Connor and her team

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  48. 1998

    BC legislated midwifery as part of the health care system

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  49. 1998

    Helps formalize and officially establish the Native Physicians Association of Canada.

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  50. 1999

    Under the leadership of Dr. Mount, the McGill Program in Whole Person Care began this year

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  51. 2000

  52. 2000

    Demonstrating her leadership on an international scale, Dr. O’Connor co-led the Oxford Forum on Shared Decision Making

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  53. 2000

    Dr. Wainberg established the Journal of the International AIDS Society

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  54. 2000

    When the Canadian Institutes of Health Research was formed in 2000, they chose health policy leader Dr. David Naylor as their inaugural governor

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  55. 2001

    Dr. Annette O’Connor and her team established the first open access international inventory of patient decision aids and decision guides.

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  56. 2002-2011

    Became the first Chief Scientific Adviser to UNAIDS (The United Nations Joint Programme on HIV/AIDS)

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  57. 2002

    The Canadian Brain and Nerve Health Coalition was established

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  58. 2003

    Creation of the Public Health Agency of Canada

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  59. 2006

    Dr. O’Connor founded and co-led the Inaugural International Patient Decision Aids Standards Collaboration

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  60. 2007

    Agrivita Canada Inc. was formed through the leadership of Dr. Dosman

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  61. 2010

  62. 2011

    Dr. James Dosman led the International Labour Organization’s effort to design an international safety code

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  63. 2011

    Initiated by Dr. Jacalyn Duffin, the Canada Drug Shortage website was launched

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  64. 2012

    Philip Berger co-founded Canadian Doctors for Refugee Care, coordinating nationwide protests by physicians against cuts to refugee health

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  65. 2013 - 2016

    Noralou Roos co-authors several e-books on health policy in Canada

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  66. 2015

    Nora Lou Roos founds 'GetYourBenefits!' effort in Manitoba

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  67. 2016

    Noni MacDonald launched MicroResearch Nova Scotia using skills learned from the earlier program developed in Africa

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  68. 2020

  69. 2021

Frederick Montizambert, MD

Infectious Disease, Allergy & Immunity, Leadership in Organizational Development, Public Health, Health Promotion & Advocacy, Patient Care

As an early advocate of bacteriology, Dr. Frederick Montizambert devoted more than half a century to improving public…

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Frederick Montizambert, MD

Infectious Disease, Allergy & Immunity, Leadership in Organizational Development, Public Health, Health Promotion & Advocacy, Patient Care

As an early advocate of bacteriology, Dr. Frederick Montizambert devoted more than half a century to improving public…

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Frederick Montizambert, MD

Infectious Disease, Allergy & Immunity, Leadership in Organizational Development, Public Health, Health Promotion & Advocacy, Patient Care

As an early advocate of bacteriology, Dr. Frederick Montizambert devoted more than half a century to improving public…

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John FitzGerald, MD PhD

Infectious Disease, Allergy & Immunity, Leadership in Organizational Development

Dr. John FitzGerald was a visionary and pioneer in Canadian public health. Disturbed by the unchecked epidemics that…

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John FitzGerald, MD PhD

Infectious Disease, Allergy & Immunity, Leadership in Organizational Development

Dr. John FitzGerald was a visionary and pioneer in Canadian public health. Disturbed by the unchecked epidemics that…

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Elizabeth Bagshaw, MD

The Early Days - Health Care Pioneers, Public Health, Health Promotion & Advocacy, Women in Medicine, Female Reproduction

Dr. Elizabeth Bagshaw’s devotion to women’s health is a treasured part of our nation’s medical heritage. As one of the…

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G. Brock Chisholm, MD

Brain & Mind, Global Health, Public Health, Health Promotion & Advocacy, Leadership in Organizational Development

Dr. G. Brock Chisholm, who began his medical career as a physician in private practice, effectively became “Doctor to the…

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Gustave Gingras, MD

Service Abroad, Public Health, Health Promotion & Advocacy, Health Policy, Leadership in Organizational Development, Skin, Bones, Muscles & Joints

Dr. Gustave Gingras graduated from the University of Montreal medical school in 1943 and would go on to become one of the…

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Gustave Gingras, MD

Service Abroad, Public Health, Health Promotion & Advocacy, Health Policy, Leadership in Organizational Development, Skin, Bones, Muscles & Joints

Dr. Gustave Gingras graduated from the University of Montreal medical school in 1943 and would go on to become one of the…

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Justice Emmett Hall

Public Health, Health Promotion & Advocacy, Health Policy

When the Canadian government wanted to explore the feasibility of a national health insurance program. Justice Emmett…

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Gustave Gingras, MD

Service Abroad, Public Health, Health Promotion & Advocacy, Health Policy, Leadership in Organizational Development, Skin, Bones, Muscles & Joints

Dr. Gustave Gingras graduated from the University of Montreal medical school in 1943 and would go on to become one of the…

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The Honourable Thomas Douglas

Health Policy, Public Health, Health Promotion & Advocacy, The Early Days - Health Care Pioneers

The Honourable Thomas “Tommy” Douglas is a prominent name in Canadian history; a respected visionary politician, his…

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Elizabeth Bagshaw, MD

The Early Days - Health Care Pioneers, Public Health, Health Promotion & Advocacy, Women in Medicine, Female Reproduction

Dr. Elizabeth Bagshaw’s devotion to women’s health is a treasured part of our nation’s medical heritage. As one of the…

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Charles Scriver, MD

Cells, Genetics & Genomics, Public Health, Health Promotion & Advocacy, Skin, Bones, Muscles & Joints

Known as the father of modern genetics in Quebec, Dr. Charles Scriver furthered our understanding of many childhood…

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Charles Scriver, MD

Cells, Genetics & Genomics, Public Health, Health Promotion & Advocacy, Skin, Bones, Muscles & Joints

Known as the father of modern genetics in Quebec, Dr. Charles Scriver furthered our understanding of many childhood…

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Balfour Mount, MD

Patient Care, Public Health, Health Promotion & Advocacy, Leadership in Organizational Development

Dr. Balfour Mount has worked as a physician, lecturer and author to ensure compassion has kept pace with power in our…

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Philip Berger, MD

Patient Care, Service Abroad, Public Health, Health Promotion & Advocacy

Physicians resist the ravages of disease, and sometimes, the agendas and interests of governments. Dr. Philip Berger’s 40…

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Elaine A. Carty, MSN CNM

Patient Care, Women in Medicine, Public Health, Health Promotion & Advocacy, The Early Days - Health Care Pioneers

Helped to promote legalization and professional recognition of midwifery throughout Canada

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elaine carty

Terry Fox

Public Health, Health Promotion & Advocacy

Terry Fox’s courage and resolve have made innovative cancer research possible and inspired countless millions around the…

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Catherine Hankins, MD PhD

Advanced community medicine with fair research practices and a focus on those in need

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Balfour Mount, MD

Patient Care, Public Health, Health Promotion & Advocacy, Leadership in Organizational Development

Dr. Balfour Mount has worked as a physician, lecturer and author to ensure compassion has kept pace with power in our…

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James Dosman, MD

Lungs, Public Health, Health Promotion & Advocacy, Global Health

Dr. James A. Dosman has devoted his long career to improving and protecting the health of agricultural workers in Canada…

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Michel Chrétien, MD

Hormones

Physician/endocrinologist Michel Chrétien is an incomparable researcher. He discovered γ-lipotropin in 1967 and was the…

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Philip Berger, MD

Patient Care, Service Abroad, Public Health, Health Promotion & Advocacy

Physicians resist the ravages of disease, and sometimes, the agendas and interests of governments. Dr. Philip Berger’s 40…

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James Dosman, MD

Lungs, Public Health, Health Promotion & Advocacy, Global Health

Dr. James A. Dosman has devoted his long career to improving and protecting the health of agricultural workers in Canada…

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Peter Macklem, MD

Lungs, Public Health, Health Promotion & Advocacy, Lungs

One of Canada’s greatest pulmonary physicians, clinician-scientists and original thinkers, Dr. Peter T. Macklem forever…

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Carol P. Herbert, MD

Patient Care, Women in Medicine, Leadership in Organizational Development

Innovative health care educator and mentor promoting equitable and accessible health care for all.

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J. Fraser Mustard, MD PhD

Blood, Leadership in Organizational Development, Health and Medical Education & Training

A leader in educational and research innovation, Dr. J. Fraser Mustard played a key role in the development of problem…

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Fraser Mustard

Noralou P. Roos, PhD

Health Policy, Public Health, Health Promotion & Advocacy

Unlocked the potential of big data systems analysis to clarify the social determinants of health helping inform effective…

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Nora Lou Roos

Carol P. Herbert, MD

Patient Care, Women in Medicine, Leadership in Organizational Development

Innovative health care educator and mentor promoting equitable and accessible health care for all.

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hftc

David Naylor, MD DPhil

Public Health, Health Promotion & Advocacy, Leadership in Organizational Development, Health Policy

Accomplished physician-scientist C. David Naylor is broadly recognized for his visionary and extensive contributions to…

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Charles Tator, MD PhD

Brain & Mind, Public Health, Health Promotion & Advocacy, Health and Medical Education & Training

Since the early 1970s, Dr. Charles Tator has had a resounding impact on spinal cord injury research, prevention and…

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Balfour Mount, MD

Patient Care, Public Health, Health Promotion & Advocacy, Leadership in Organizational Development

Dr. Balfour Mount has worked as a physician, lecturer and author to ensure compassion has kept pace with power in our…

Read more about Balfour Mount, MD
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James Dosman, MD

Lungs, Public Health, Health Promotion & Advocacy, Global Health

Dr. James A. Dosman has devoted his long career to improving and protecting the health of agricultural workers in Canada…

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Annette O'Connor, PhD

Patient Care, Public Health, Health Promotion & Advocacy, Women in Medicine

One of the great challenges of our time is finding ways to combine expanding medical knowledge with respect for…

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Elaine A. Carty, MSN CNM

Patient Care, Women in Medicine, Public Health, Health Promotion & Advocacy, The Early Days - Health Care Pioneers

Helped to promote legalization and professional recognition of midwifery throughout Canada

Read more about Elaine A. Carty, MSN CNM
elaine carty

Thomas A. Dignan, MD

Patient Care, Public Health, Health Promotion & Advocacy, Leadership in Organizational Development, Health and Medical Education & Training

Dr. Dignan is admired for his decades of devoted service to Indigenous Peoples in Canada. A Mohawk from Six Nations of…

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Thomas Dignan

Balfour Mount, MD

Patient Care, Public Health, Health Promotion & Advocacy, Leadership in Organizational Development

Dr. Balfour Mount has worked as a physician, lecturer and author to ensure compassion has kept pace with power in our…

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Annette O'Connor, PhD

Patient Care, Public Health, Health Promotion & Advocacy, Women in Medicine

One of the great challenges of our time is finding ways to combine expanding medical knowledge with respect for…

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Mark Wainberg, PhD

Global Health, Public Health, Health Promotion & Advocacy, Patient Care, Infectious Disease, Allergy & Immunity

Mark Wainberg’s research and advocacy around access to AIDS treatment are acknowledged to have helped save millions of…

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David Naylor, MD DPhil

Public Health, Health Promotion & Advocacy, Leadership in Organizational Development, Health Policy

Accomplished physician-scientist C. David Naylor is broadly recognized for his visionary and extensive contributions to…

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Annette O'Connor, PhD

Patient Care, Public Health, Health Promotion & Advocacy, Women in Medicine

One of the great challenges of our time is finding ways to combine expanding medical knowledge with respect for…

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Catherine Hankins, MD PhD

Advanced community medicine with fair research practices and a focus on those in need

Read more about Catherine Hankins, MD PhD
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Charles Tator, MD PhD

Brain & Mind, Public Health, Health Promotion & Advocacy, Health and Medical Education & Training

Since the early 1970s, Dr. Charles Tator has had a resounding impact on spinal cord injury research, prevention and…

Read more about Charles Tator, MD PhD
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David Naylor, MD DPhil

Public Health, Health Promotion & Advocacy, Leadership in Organizational Development, Health Policy

Accomplished physician-scientist C. David Naylor is broadly recognized for his visionary and extensive contributions to…

Read more about David Naylor, MD DPhil
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Annette O'Connor, PhD

Patient Care, Public Health, Health Promotion & Advocacy, Women in Medicine

One of the great challenges of our time is finding ways to combine expanding medical knowledge with respect for…

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James Dosman, MD

Lungs, Public Health, Health Promotion & Advocacy, Global Health

Dr. James A. Dosman has devoted his long career to improving and protecting the health of agricultural workers in Canada…

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James Dosman, MD

Lungs, Public Health, Health Promotion & Advocacy, Global Health

Dr. James A. Dosman has devoted his long career to improving and protecting the health of agricultural workers in Canada…

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Jacalyn Duffin, MD PhD

Health & Humanities, Health and Medical Education & Training, Public Health, Health Promotion & Advocacy, Women in Medicine, Blood, Blood

A hematologist and historian, Dr. Duffin has made enduring contributions to medical research and education that deepen…

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Philip Berger, MD

Patient Care, Service Abroad, Public Health, Health Promotion & Advocacy

Physicians resist the ravages of disease, and sometimes, the agendas and interests of governments. Dr. Philip Berger’s 40…

Read more about Philip Berger, MD
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Noralou P. Roos, PhD

Health Policy, Public Health, Health Promotion & Advocacy

Unlocked the potential of big data systems analysis to clarify the social determinants of health helping inform effective…

Read more about Noralou P. Roos, PhD
Nora Lou Roos

Noralou P. Roos, PhD

Health Policy, Public Health, Health Promotion & Advocacy

Unlocked the potential of big data systems analysis to clarify the social determinants of health helping inform effective…

Read more about Noralou P. Roos, PhD
Nora Lou Roos

Noni MacDonald, MD

Infectious Disease, Allergy & Immunity, Women in Medicine, Global Health, Public Health, Health Promotion & Advocacy

Forged inspiring new paths in preventing and treating paediatric infectious disease

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Noni McDonald

About the CMHF

The Canadian Medical Hall of Fame (CMHF) celebrates Canadian heroes whose work advances health in Canada and the world, fostering future generations of health professionals through the delivery of local and national youth education programs and awards.

This enduring tribute to our country’s rich medical history is showcased here and in our physical exhibit hall in London, ON.