In Memoriam: Margaret Russell, Cumming School of Medicine

The Cumming School of Medicine is saddened to share the loss of professor emeritus and three-time University of Calgary graduate Dr. Margaret Russell, BSc'73, MD'76, PhD'89, who passed away Sept. 4. She was 73.

Russell’s career in public health spanned more than four decades, driven by a research interest in the prevention and control of vaccine-preventable diseases. Her connection to UCalgary began in 1969, graduating with a Bachelor of Science in 1973. She completed her medical degree in 1976 and a PhD in epidemiology in 1989.

Her remarkable career included early research into vaccine-preventable diseases, particularly influenza. Her work and publications focused on surveillance and evaluation of vaccine programs, as well as examining strategies to prevent and control the diseases. 

Russell's efforts had a direct impact on public health provincially and beyond, including immunization program advocacy, promotion and implementation.

She joined the Faculty of Medicine, now the Cumming School of Medicine, in 1989 and held senior leadership positions during her decades-long affiliation with the faculty. She served as director of the Community Medicine Residency Program (now known as the Public Health and Preventive Medicine Residency Program) from 2002 to 2009.

Russell co-authored 114 peer-reviewed articles, a book chapter and has more than 3,990 citations. She is also remembered for delivering countless presentations and media interviews on public health and vaccinations. She received many awards for her work, including being named co-author of the of Lancet Paper of the Year for 2010, related to research on the effect of influenza vaccination on infection rates of children in Hutterite communities. 

Russell's preventive medicine advocacy and epidemiological knowledge were frequently sought by media, including during the COVID-19 pandemic, to provide science-based expert analysis and perspective. 

She was conferred by UCalgary as an associate professor emerita of Community Health Sciences effective Sept. 1, 2023.

Colleagues also marvelled at Russell’s green thumb. She would often share her love of plants, and the plants themselves, with those she worked with.

Read her full obituary when it Is published here.