Division History, 1997–2003

Over the course of its first decade, the Foothills Hospital and Calgary’s medical school went from being seen as an example of needless overspending to a sought-out teaching hospital attracting trainees and mentors from across Canada.

The Respiratory Medicine training program was among the school’s greatest attractions. Its reputation for expertise, camaraderie and optimism became known throughout the school and beyond. To this day, Guenter and Whitelaw pass the credit for creating this atmosphere back and forth like a hot potato, neither wanting to own the glory. To them, it was serendipity.

To Dr. Bob Cowie, it was a life saver.

Like Guenter, it wasn’t just work that drove Cowie towards Canada, it was also concern for the life that lay before his sons should they stay in South Africa. Apartheid and conscription were still in force. All white men over the age of 17 were required to serve at least two years in the South African Defence Force or the South African Police.

Cowie’s oldest son had just been called up for military service when a letter from Whitelaw arrived asking Cowie to consider a position in Calgary. He was also considering a job offer from England, but Cowie’s experience working in Montreal had him thinking Canada would be the better option. As if to carry on tradition, he also arrived to find a hospital and medical school closed for Christmas. He and his family were, however, warmly welcomed by the Whitelaws.

Cowie easily settled into his role running the TB service at the Foothills Hospital. With markedly fewer patients than he was accustomed to in South Africa, Cowie focused on prevention and, beginning in 1991, used his ‘spare time’ to research and develop treatment programs for asthma, bronchitis and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Along with Drs. Stephen Field and Gordon Ford, funding was secured to start the Calgary Asthma and COPD program, which continues today and operates out of all four Calgary acute care sites.

Cowie was happy to focus on these projects, understanding the help they would bring to the community and trainees.

Cowie was program director for the Respiratory Division’s fellowship training program from 1993 to 1998 before passing the reins to Karen Rimmer. In 1997, he was offered the lead role for the Division of Respiratory Medicine. “I eventually took it, kicking and screaming, because other eligible candidates were still busy developing their careers. I thought it would be a good idea to given them a break,” Cowie said.

That break lasted six years, during which time Cowie took it upon himself to join national committees to help boost the department’s profile across Canada. As a result, more people began to look to Calgary for respiratory specialist work and training.

Like his predecessors, Cowie focused on recruiting personable, enthusiastic doctors. “Bill’s objective was always to try and recruit people who he thought would get on with everyone else. And it worked,” said Cowie. “It was a happy division and a delightful place to work.”