2010 INDUCTEE William A. Cochrane, MD Leadership in Organizational Development, Health and Medical Education & Training, Health Policy, Diabetes

Born:

March 18, 1926

(Toronto, Ontario)

Died:

October 6, 2017

Education:

MD, University of Toronto (1949)

Awards & Honours:

2007: Albert Order of Excellence

1992: 125th Anniversary of the Confederation of Canada Medal

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Established the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Calgary

A visionary leader and builder in medicine and medical education

Inspired by his family physician, Dr. Cochrane chose to enter medicine in 1944 and pursued a career in pediatrics because of his affinity for working with families and their sick children. As a pediatrician, he fostered a strong interest in diabetes research, which led to the development of new diagnostic tests to identify and treat diabetes patients with varied needs. As a strong believer in the power of education, Dr. Cochrane was lured towards an academic career, first at Dalhousie University and next at the University of Calgary where he established U of C’s medical school. Never far from centres of innovation, Dr. Cochrane later moved into the government and then private sector where he continued his visionary leadership.

Key Facts

Established one of only two three-year MD training programs in North America

Became an honorary Medicine Chief of the Stoney First Nations Band at Morley, Alberta due to his interest in helping First Nations communities

Sat on 30 Boards of corporations ranging from biotechnology to real estate, in addition to being a dedicated community leader

Named one of 100 Alberta Physicians of the Century

Inducted into the Biotechnology Hall of Fame by the BioAlberta Association

Professional timeline

Impact on lives today

Thanks to the visionary leadership of Dr. Cochrane, thousands of individuals have access to a medical school that combines innovative curriculum, with a focus on rural health and attention to matters that impact the health of Indigenous peoples. The University of Calgary’s medical school now claims seven world-class research institutes and more than 7,400 alumni (as of 2021) and counting. In addition, Dr. Cochrane’s scientific excellence continues to be felt in the lives of the many people who suffer from diabetes.

2010

April 13, 2010
William A. Cochrane inducted into the Canadian Medical Hall of Fame

Calgary, Alberta
1978
Dr. Cochrane moved into the realm of business as Chairman and CEO of Connaught Laboratories
Leadership in Organizational Development
At Connaught, he championed a new strategy for the company that focused on genetic engineering.
1974
Dr. Cochrane became President of the University of Calgary
Leadership in Organizational Development
As president, he established the Faculties of Humanities and Law.
1973
Dr. Cochrane became Alberta’s Deputy Minister of Health
Leadership in Organizational Development, Health Policy
This interlude from the University of Calgary was brief and by the following year he was back at the University of Calgary.
1968
Driven by a desire for new challenges, Dr. Cochrane left the Maritimes with a mandate, but limited resources, to develop a medical school at the University of Calgary
Health and Medical Education & Training
Attracted by the opportunity to start afresh, he introduced a systems-based approach to teaching medicine and began one of only two three-year MD training programs in North America.
1960
Dr. Cochrane secured funding and government support for the new Children Hospital in Halifax.

The Isaac Walton Killam Hospital for Children opened 1970.
1958
Dr. Cochrane shifted his focus and accepted an academic position at Dalhousie University.

While in Halifax, he initiated the first Cystic Fibrosis clinic in the Maritimes and formed the Atlantic Research Centre for Mental Retardation. In 1963, Dalhousie appointed Dr. Cochrane as Physician-in-Chief of the Children’s Hospital.
1956
Returning to Toronto, Dr. Cochrane began his pediatric practice in an office in a drugstore across from the Toronto East General Hospital.

He also continued his affiliation with Sick Children’s Hospital and was appointed to their medical staff.
1953 - 1956
Dr. Cochrane chose to pursue his growing interest in paediatric sub-specialization.

In 1953, he became a research fellow at the Cincinnati Hospital and the following year moved to Ormond Street Children’s Hospital in London. His research interests led to the development of an acetone tolerance test to diagnose glycogen storage disease of the liver (1953) and to the Cochrane (L-leucine) test in 1956.
1949
After graduating medical school, Dr. Cochrane completed an internship in paediatrics.

He then became a resident in pediatrics at the Hospital for Sick Children and soon rose to the position of Associate Chief Resident.