Remembering Bernard Langer, OC MD

Bernard "Bernie" Langer, MD 
May 23, 1932 - February 23, 2022

A mentor and role model for his colleagues, Dr. Langer's reputation for clinical excellence was unsurpassed during his surgical career. His pioneering policies and programs transformed a strong clinical department at the Toronto General Hospital into one that remains highly, academically productive. Considered a global pioneer of hepatobiliary/pancreatic (HPB) surgery, Dr. Langer developed a world leading academic HPB and liver transplant service. His growing legacy of more than 70 fellows practicing HPB & transplant surgery throughout the world is tangible evidence of Dr. Langer’s truly remarkable global influence.

Dr. Langer joined the Toronto General Hospital as a staff surgeon in 1963 and was appointed head of the division of general surgery in 1972. During his 17 year tenure, this division evolved from a broad-based clinical and teaching service to one with focused interests in specialty areas, placing equal importance on clinical care, teaching and research. In 1982 Dr. Langer was appointed the Col. R.S. McLaughlin Professor and Chair for the Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine at the University of Toronto where he established the Surgeon Scientist Program to provide structured high quality research training for surgical residents interested in careers in academic medicine. As a member of council and then president of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, Dr. Langer was instrumental in the creation of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada Clinician Investigator Program and in the formation of the Canadian Patient Safety Institute.

"If you don't stand tall enough, you can't see far enough."

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