Halifax-based medical hero inducted into The Canadian Medical Hall of Fame

LONDON, ON, April 24, 2014 /CNW/ - Dr. Thomas John (Jock) Murray, Halifax-based world renowned leader in Multiple Sclerosis and care, was recognized as a Canadian medical hero with induction into The Canadian Medical Hall of Fame at a gathering of more than 575 Canadian health care and business leaders in Kingston, Ontario.

Annually The Canadian Medical Hall of Fame elevates a select few of our country's most brilliant health care professionals to laureate status. Laureates are those who have pushed the boundaries of discovery and innovation beyond the realm of possibility to make the world a better place.

One of six inductees, Dr. Thomas John (Jock) Murray joined the ranks of 101 Laureates before him in receiving this prestigious national honour. Nominated for his passion, innovation and visionary leadership that has improved health worldwide, Dr. Thomas John (Jock) Murray was selected for this honour by a selection panel comprising national health leaders and chaired by Dr. Alain Beaudet of the Canadian Institutes of Health Research.

Honorary Co-Chairs Hon. Hugh Segal and Daniel Woolf, Principal & Vice Chancellor of Queen's University celebrated along with 2014 Canadian Medical Hall of Fame Induction Co-Chairs Dr. Richard Reznick, Dean – Faculty of Health Sciences and Dr. Tom Harris, Vice-Principal Advancement, Queen's University.

ABOUT DR. THOMAS JOHN (JOCK) MURRAY
Dr. Thomas John "Jock" Murray is an intellectual physician of many dimensions. He is a remarkably accomplished clinician, academic and leader with the ability to profoundly impact learners and patients. One of Dr. Murray's greatest legacies is in the field of multiple sclerosis (MS). He founded and then directed the Dalhousie MS Research Unit for more than 20 years. He was a founder and president of the International Consortium of MS Centers and contributed to MS research and education nationally and internationally. Internationally recognized as the best source on the subject, he is the author of the award winning book Multiple Sclerosis: The History of a Disease as well as a clinical textbook on the disease.

Dr. Murray was born in Pictou, Nova Scotia, completed his undergrad at St. Francis Xavier University, and graduated with honors from Dalhousie Medical School in 1963. Following two years in general practice, he trained in internal medicine and then in neurology in Halifax, London, and Toronto before joining the Dalhousie medical faculty in 1970.  He became Professor of Medicine, head of Neurology, Dean of Medicine, and Professor of Medical Humanities.   

As Dean of Medicine from 1985 to 1992, he proved himself an innovator in medical education creating a trendsetting, problem-based, tutorial format curriculum in the undergraduate years and a world-respected program in the medical humanities, fostering other related disciplines – artists and writers in residence, theatre, music and literature.  He once wrote: "We need science, but science also needs the humanities to understand human values and the human questions and the human decisions that must guide our use of science."

Dr. Murray has more than 300 medical publications, nine books, 43 text book chapters, and has held 91 funded research grants. He was a member of the Working Group on Disability in US Presidents which presented its report to President Clinton at the White House in 1996.  He was Chairman of both the Board of Governors and Board of Regents of the American College of Physicians, President of the American Osler Society and President of the Canadian Society for the History of Medicine. His many honors include a mastership in the American College of Physicians (1997), the Dr. A. B. Baker Award for Lifetime Achievement in Neurological Education from the Academy of Neurology (1997), the Scheinberg Award for Lifetime Contributions to Multiple Sclerosis from the Consortium of Multiple Sclerosis Centres (2000), Mentor of the Year Award from the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (2001), and five honorary degrees.  He is an Officer of the Order of Canada appointed to the Order of Nova Scotia.

Available Resources

1. Dr. Thomas John (Jock) Murray's full bio and high resolution photo available upon request.
   
2. Laureate bios and information about The Canadian Medical Hall of Fame available anytime at www.cdnmedhall.org.

About The Canadian Medical Hall of Fame
Established in 1994 and located in London, Ontario, The Canadian Medical Hall of Fame is the only national Hall of Fame in the world dedicated to celebrating medical heroes. By creating an enduring tribute to those men and women who through discovery and innovation have contributed to better health in Canada and the world, The Canadian Medical Hall of Fame inspires the pursuit of careers in the health sciences fostering future innovators and leaders.

SOURCE: Canadian Medical Association

Sharon Lomas, Communications and Media Relations, 519.319.0908 / [email protected]