2018 INDUCTEE Philip Berger, MD Patient Care, Service Abroad, Public Health, Health Promotion & Advocacy
November 22, 1950
(Winnipeg, Manitoba)
MD, University of Manitoba (1974)
2020: Officer of the Order of Canada
2013: Fellow of the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences
See All AwardsAwards & Honours:
2020: Officer of the Order of Canada
2013: Fellow of the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences
2010: Order of Ontario
2006: Honorary Fellow, Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada
A revolutionary health care provider
A renowned leader in health promotion, illness prevention and care
Associate Professor, University of Toronto, Faculty of Medicine and Chief of Department of Family and Community Medicine, St. Michael’s Hospital (1997-2013), Dr. Berger has been at the forefront of many battles for enlightened and humane health care despite indifference or opposition. He is an advocate for refugees, members of the LGBT community, people with HIV/AIDS, those suffering from addiction, homelessness, and living in poverty. Dr. Berger has also worked to promote methadone treatment, needle exchanges, documentation and recognition of the aftereffects of torture, academic infirmaries for the homeless, and clinical treatment of AIDS in Africa.
Key Facts
Led high profile campaigns to persuade government officials of the HIV prevention benefits of methadone and needle exchange programs
Involved in investigations of police treatment of detainees
Advocated for victims of torture through the founding of the Amnesty International Canadian Medical Network and the co-founding of the Canadian Centre for Victims of Torture
His efforts led to the establishment of the first Canadian clinic for aerosolized pentamidine
Many controversial practices for which Dr. Berger has advocated are now considered mainstream
Has engaged with audiences all over the world through hundreds of publications and presentations
Professional timeline
Impact on lives today
Dr. Berger has been at the forefront of many battles for humane health care despite indifference or opposition. He is a tireless champion of social justice and accessible health care in Canada and the world. He has been a crusader never afraid of the controversial, but above all, he has served the needs of the sick and those who have suffered abuses of power. As a result of his advocacy, thousands of lives have been saved and many communities experience greater access to health care.
2024
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Philip Berger inducted into the Canadian Medical Hall of Fame
London, Ontario
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Philip Berger co-founded Canadian Doctors for Refugee Care, coordinating nationwide protests by physicians against cuts to refugee health
Public Health, Health Promotion & Advocacy -
Dr. Philip Berger Led the first Ontario Hospital Association team to Lesotho
Service AbroadThe team joined with Lesotho’s first publicly funded AIDS clinic. By 2010, 11,000 participants were enrolled with 3,600 people receiving life-saving medication.
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Under the direction of Dr. Berger, the DFCM at St. Michael’s hospital established Canada’s first academic infirmary for people suffering homelessness
Patient CareThe infirmary continues to serve a wide range of patients to this day.
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The College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario established its first methadone committee on which Dr. Berger served as a member
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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 advocate for people with HIV
Public Health, Health Promotion & Advocacy -
Joined the Department of Family and Community Medicine at the University of Toronto at onset of global AIDS crisis
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Dr. Philip Berger began documenting torture sequelae in refugee claimants
Public Health, Health Promotion & AdvocacyThis process led to his founding the Amnesty International Canadian Medical English Network.
1977
His work has shown us the full potential of what it means to be a physician. That is a tremendous legacy.
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