2017 INDUCTEE Richard B. Goldbloom, MD Patient Care, Health & Humanities

Born:

December 16, 1924

(Montreal, Quebec )

Died:

November 18, 2021

Education:

MDCM, McGill University (1949)

Awards & Honours:

2015: Order of Nova Scotia

2005: Honorary Degree, Acadia University

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Champion for the well-being of children around the world

A powerful voice for the role of the parent in child health and an advocate for early literacy

In a career spanning a half-century, Dr. Goldbloom served as professor and head of the Department of Pediatrics at Dalhousie University, physician-in-chief and Director of Research at the Izaak Walton Killam Hospital for Children in Halifax, and chancellor of Dalhousie University. He achieved international recognition as a pioneer of family participation in the care of hospitalized children, having introduced one of the first Care-by-Parent Units in Canada. He authored hundreds of articles and seven books, including Pediatric Clinical Skills, a popular textbook for medical undergraduates and postgraduates. Dr. Goldbloom is admired and loved by colleagues and friends for his compassion and his unique ability to communicate with patients and their families.

Key Facts

Thanks to his commitment to literacy, every newborn in Halifax receives a free Read to Me! bag that contains books and a Family Reading Guide available in many languages, including Mi’kmaw

Facilitated the expansion of the IWK Health Centre into one of Canada’s leading pediatric teaching hospitals

Served as the President of the Canadian Pediatric Society

Served as founding chairman of the Discovery Centre in Halifax, an interactive children’s museum of science and technology

Professional timeline

Impact on lives today

Through his leadership in pediatrics and his compassion for humanity, Dr. Goldbloom has promoted the well-being of children throughout Canada and the world. His efforts have improved children’s access to pediatric care across Nova Scotia and expanded the resources available to support early childhood education in the province.

2017

May 04, 2017
Richard Goldbloom is posthumously inducted into the Canadian Medical Hall of Fame

His medal was received by his son Dr. Alan Goldbloom who represented him at the Ceremony in Québec City, Québec
2006
In 2006, the Dr. Richard B. Goldbloom Research and Clinical Care Pavilion at the IWK Health Centre was named in his honour
Health & Humanities
2001-2007
Dr. Goldbloom served as Chancellor at Dalhousie University from 2001-2007.
Leadership in Organizational Development
1998-1999
Provincial Health and Wellbeing

From 1998-1998, Dr. Goldbloom chaired the Minister’s Task Force on Regionalization of Health Care in Nova Scotia and served as member of the provincial Task Force on Fiscal Responsibility.
1992
Published by Churchill-Livingstone, Dr. Goldbloom’s second book, Pediatric Clinical Skills, was met with extreme popularity by medical undergraduates and postgraduates. The book is now in its 4th edition.
Patient Care
1986
Dr. Goldboom served as the chair of the Canadian Task Force on the Periodic Health Examination
Patient Care, Leadership in Organizational Development
This work led to the publication of a guide for Canada and the United States and the task force’s work drew attention from countries around the world.
1967
Dr. Goldbloom was appointed Professor and Head of the Department of Pediatrics at Dalhousie University, and Physician-in-Chief and Director of Research at the IWK Children’s Hospital in Halifax. He remained in these positions until 1985.
Health and Medical Education & Training, Leadership in Organizational Development