Congratulations to Dr. Jacalyn Duffin!
Dr. Jacalyn Duffin, Hannah Professor of the History of Medicine at Queen’s University (1988-2017),will be inducted to the Canadian Medical Hall of Frame.
Six Canadian medical heroes are inducted annually to the Canadian Medical Hall of Fame. Their work may be a single meritorious contribution or a lifetime of superior accomplishments. Pioneers in their field, they are role models of excellence in health in Canada and the world.
Dr. Jacalyn Duffin, Hannah Professor of the History of Medicine at Queen’s University (1988-2017), has made enduring contributions to medical research and education that deepen our historical understanding and cause us to reflect on the origins of present-day health care. A haematologist and historian, Dr. Duffin has assured that thousands of physicians and nurses appreciate the broader cultural and social contexts of their professions arguing that the humanities, notably history, form part of balanced, effective training. Dr. Duffin’s research has addressed a wide array of topics, sources, places, and time periods: diagnostic technology, rural practice, drug development, disease concepts, health policy, and religious healing, including an exploration of medical miracles in the Vatican archives. Her classic textbook, History of Medicine: A Scandalously Short Introduction is read by students and lay audiences throughout the world. It presents encapsulated histories of medical specialties, featuring the cultural and social factors involved in their development. Over a long and distinguished career, Dr. Duffin’s passionate devotion to historical understanding as an inseparable element of humane practice inspires students, educators, and members of the general public alike.
