New classroom names pay tribute to medical school’s history
The Cumming School of Medicine is honouring the medical school’s history, naming a collection of classrooms in the Health Sciences Centre (HSC) on the University of Calgary’s Foothills campus in honour of the former deans.
In consultation with the Office of Advancement, the classrooms — all located on the HSC’s main floor — are used primarily by students, intending to honour the Deans’ legacies of shaping and advancing education in service of our students and the communities they serve.
The portraits were installed by Campus Architecture in March 2021. The intention is to continue adding portraits as deans retire. The classrooms that were named include:
- HSC G743 – William Cochrane Room
- HSC G744 – Lionel McLeod Room
- HSC G746 – Mamoru (Mo) Watanabe Room
- HSC G748 – Eldon Smith Room
- HSC G750 – Grant Gall Room
- HSC G737 – Thomas E. Feasby Room
Installation and budget for the portrait project was coordinated by the office of the Sr. Associate Dean of Education through the campus architect. The portraits previously hung in the large boardroom on the seventh floor for Teaching, Research and Wellness building.
Dean’s biographies appearing with each portrait
HSC G743
Dr. William Cochrane, MD (1967 – 1973)
Named in honour of the Cumming School of Medicine’s inaugural dean, Dr. William Cochrane was a respected pediatrician and served as the University of Calgary’s president from 1974–1978. Subsequently he had a successful career in the private sector. In 1989 he was invested in the Order of Canada and in 2010 named to the Canadian Medical Hall of Fame.
HSC G744
Dr. Lionel McLeod, MD (1973 – 1981)
Named in honour of the Cumming School of Medicine’s second dean, Dr. Lionel McLeod led the school through a time of growth and consolidation. Dr. McLeod also served as the Dean of Science at the University of Calgary, was the first president of the Alberta Heritage Foundation for Medical Research and served as president of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada.
HSC G746
Dr. Mamoru (Mo) Watanabe, MD, PhD (1981 – 1992)
Dr. Mo Watanabe is perhaps best known for shaping national health care education, research and policy. He was awarded an Order of Canada and brought international recognition to the medical school for its expanded research role and pioneering use of telemedicine in rural Alberta. He has been a distinguished member of numerous government committees, championing access to quality healthcare around the world.
HSC G748
Dr. Eldon Smith, MD (1992 – 1997)
Dr. Eldon Smith has earned widespread recognition for his research into hypertension and cardiac failure. His legacy includes establishing a magnetic resonance research centre in Calgary, allowing intraoperative MRI procedures. He helped set up education and healthcare programs in Russia, New Zealand and the Philippines, contributing to many medical organizations. He has received numerous awards including being named to the Order of Canada.
HSC G750
Dr. Grant Gall, MD (1997 – 2007)
Dr. Grant Gall was an international leader in pediatric gastroenterology, intestinal research, and medical education. During his deanship, the Bachelor of Health Sciences program and six of the medical school’s research institutes were launched. He was a leader in international health, developing a program for doctors and medical students to travel to developing nations to deliver better health care and enhanced medical training.
HSC G737
Dr. Thomas E. Feasby, MD (2007 – 2012)
Dr. Tom Feasby made key contributions to improving Canada's health care delivery and policy. He founded Canada's leading stroke program in Calgary, as well as the Calgary Neuromuscular and ALS Clinics. He was instrumental in creating the O’Brien Institute for Public Health. He received the Medal for Distinguished Service from the Alberta Medical Association, a Rhodes Trust Inspirational Educator Award and was named to the Order of Canada.