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. 2007 Dec;50(6):485-9.

William D. Stevenson: Atlantic Canada's first neurosurgeon

Karim Mukhida  1 , Ivar Mendez
Affiliations
Free PMC article

William D. Stevenson: Atlantic Canada's first neurosurgeon

Karim Mukhida et al. Can J Surg. 2007 Dec.
Free PMC article

Abstract
in English, French

The origins of neurosurgical services in Atlantic Canada are tied to the individual efforts of William D. Stevenson. Born in Hamilton, Ontario, Stevenson completed his senior matriculation in Dunnville, Ontario, before studying medicine at the University of Toronto. He completed the Gallie surgical course in Toronto and then spent 1 year training with Edward Archibald at McGill University. After working for 2 years with the Canadian Mobile Neurosurgical Unit in Europe during the Second World War, Stevenson undertook formal neurosurgical training with Kenneth G. McKenzie, Canada's first neurosurgeon. Stevenson was thereafter recruited to Halifax to start the neurosurgical service at the Victoria General Hospital in January 1948, and he remained head of the division for the next 26 years. His pioneering work laid the foundations for the establishment of a major academic neurosurgical service at Dalhousie University and was crucial for the establishment of neurosurgery in Atlantic Canada. After his retirement, Stevenson moved back to Ontario and began his second career, transferring his passion for neurosurgery to oil painting. His legacy to neurosurgery in Atlantic Canada will be remembered in perpetuity with the annual Neurosurgery Resident Research Award at Dalhousie University, established and named in his honour. This paper focuses on Stevenson's life and work in neurosurgery as Atlantic Canada's first neurosurgeon.

Les services neurochirurgicaux dans la région de l'Atlantique sont issus des efforts individuels de William D. Stevenson. Né à Hamilton (Ontario), le Dr Stevenson a terminé son immatriculation senior à Dunnville avant d'aller étudier la médecine à l'Université de Toronto. Il a terminé le cours de chirurgie Gallie à Toronto et il a passé ensuite un an en formation avec Edward Archibald à l'Université McGill. Après avoir travaillé pendant deux ans à l'unité mobile canadienne de neurochirurgie en Europe au cours de la Seconde Guerre mondiale, le Dr Stevenson a entrepris une formation structurée en neurochirurgie auprès de K.G. McKenzie, le premier neurochirurgien du Canada. On l'a par la suite recruté à Halifax pour qu'il mette sur pied le service de neurochirurgie à l'Hôpital Victoria General en janvier 1948 et il est demeuré chef de la division pendant les 26 années qui ont suivi. Son travail de pionnier a jeté les bases de la création d'un important service de neurochirurgie universitaire à l'Université Dalhousie et a joué un rôle crucial dans l'établissement de la neurochirurgie dans la région de l'Atlantique. Après son départ à la retraite, le Dr Stevenson est redéménagé en Ontario pour entreprendre sa deuxième carrière, consacrant à la peinture à l'huile autant de passion qu'il en avait pour la neurochirurgie. Le patrimoine qu'il a légué à la neurochirurgie dans la région de l'Atlantique est perpétué par le prix de recherche établi et nommé en son honneur que l'Université Dalhousie décerne à un résident en neurochirurgie. Ce document porte avant tout sur la vie du Dr Stevenson et son travail en neurochirurgie à titre de premier neurochirurgien de la région de l'Atlantique.

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Figures

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FIG. 1. Dr. William D. Stevenson, head of the Department of Neurosurgery at Dalhousie University from 1948 to 1974, circa 1965.
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FIG. 2. Dr. Kenneth G. McKenzie's tenure as chief of the neurosurgical service at the Toronto General Hospital was celebrated on May 3, 1952, with his neurosurgical trainees. Dr. Stevenson is seated in the front row on the far left; Dr. Harry Botterell and Dr. McKenzie are seated in the front row, fifth and sixth from the left, respectively.
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FIG. 3. One of the new neurosurgery operating rooms of the Centennial Wing, circa 1967. The operating room table was designed by Dr. Harry Botterell (A). Diagnostic radiologic services were available in the new neurosurgery section of the Centennial wing, including equipment to perform ventriculograms, circa 1967 (B).
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FIG. 4. Oil painting became one of Dr. Stevenson's hobbies after his retirement from neurosurgery.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

    1. Mukhida K, Mendez I. The contributions of W.D. Stevenson to the development of neurosurgery in Atlantic Canada. Can J Neurol Sci 1999;26:217-23. - PubMed
    1. Atlee HB. In memoriam: John George MacDougall. N S Med Bull 1950:29;186-9.
    1. Stevenson WD. New treatment for paraplegia. N S Med Bull 1969;48:152. - PubMed
    1. McLetchie NG, Stevenson WD. Allergic encephalitis. Can Med Assoc J 1957;76:208-10. - PMC - PubMed
    1. Stevenson WD. Head injuries in relation to traffic accidents. N S Med Bull 1957;36:84-8.

Personal name as subject