Donald Baxter
Encyclopedia
Donald W. Baxter is a Canadian neurologist
who is Emeritus Professor in the Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery at McGill University
and former Director of the Montreal Neurological Institute and Hospital (The Neuro).
and received his medical degree in 1951 from Queens University in Kingston, Ontario
. As an intern, he spent two months at the Montreal Neurological Institute, becoming acquainted with neuroanatomist Jerzy Olszewski. He returned to The Neuro in 1952-53 as a research fellow with Olszewski to complete the atlas, "Cytoarchitecture of the Human Brain Stem" and in 1954 moved to Boston City Hospital
for training in neuropathology
and neurology
.
in Saskatoon where he helped to build the neurology service. In 1962 Baxter become Associate Professor at the School of Medicine at Temple University
and the Philadelphia General Hospital but after only 14 months, he was recruited back to McGill University as Associate Professor in the Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery and Neurologist-in-Chief at the Montreal General Hospital (MGH).
Baxter was named chairman of the Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery at McGill University (1979–1984) and moved to the Montreal Neurological Hospital as Neurologist-in-Chief. He served as Director of the Montreal Neurological Institute and Hospital (The Neuro) from 1984 to 1992 and Interim Director from 2000 to 2002.
Baxter authored a large number of scientific papers on neurological diseases and is known as a dedicated teacher and a caring physician. Colleagues at McGill recognize Baxter's contribution to their careers, noting that he willingly assumed extra clinical responsibilities to free their time for research. In 1995 the annual Donald Baxter Lecture in Neurology was established at The Neuro to honor his career achievements.
Baxter was President of the Canadian Neurological Association (1969–1970) and Chairman of the Committee on Neurology at the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons (1970–1975). He is a long serving member of the American Academy of Neurology
, the American Neurological Association
and the Canadian Congress of Neurological Sciences. He was also active in the Montreal community as a volunteer board member at the Mackay Center. Baxter lives in Montreal
, Quebec with Anne Bieler, who he married in 1988.
Neurologist
A neurologist is a physician who specializes in neurology, and is trained to investigate, or diagnose and treat neurological disorders.Neurology is the medical specialty related to the human nervous system. The nervous system encompasses the brain, spinal cord, and peripheral nerves. A specialist...
who is Emeritus Professor in the Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery at McGill University
McGill University
Mohammed Fathy is a public research university located in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. The university bears the name of James McGill, a prominent Montreal merchant from Glasgow, Scotland, whose bequest formed the beginning of the university...
and former Director of the Montreal Neurological Institute and Hospital (The Neuro).
Early life and Education
Baxter was born in Brockville, OntarioBrockville, Ontario
Brockville is a city in Eastern Ontario, Canada, in the Thousand Islands region. Though it serves as the seat of the United Counties of Leeds and Grenville, Brockville is politically independent and is grouped with Leeds and Grenville for census purposes only.Known as the "City of the 1000...
and received his medical degree in 1951 from Queens University in Kingston, Ontario
Kingston, Ontario
Kingston, Ontario is a Canadian city located in Eastern Ontario where the St. Lawrence River flows out of Lake Ontario. Originally a First Nations settlement called "Katarowki," , growing European exploration in the 17th Century made it an important trading post...
. As an intern, he spent two months at the Montreal Neurological Institute, becoming acquainted with neuroanatomist Jerzy Olszewski. He returned to The Neuro in 1952-53 as a research fellow with Olszewski to complete the atlas, "Cytoarchitecture of the Human Brain Stem" and in 1954 moved to Boston City Hospital
Boston City Hospital
The Boston City Hospital in Boston, Massachusetts, was "intended for the use and comfort of poor patients, to whom medical care will be provided at the expense of the city, and .....
for training in neuropathology
Neuropathology
Neuropathology is the study of disease of nervous system tissue, usually in the form of either small surgical biopsies or whole autopsy brains. Neuropathology is a subspecialty of anatomic pathology, neurology, and neurosurgery...
and neurology
Neurology
Neurology is a medical specialty dealing with disorders of the nervous system. Specifically, it deals with the diagnosis and treatment of all categories of disease involving the central, peripheral, and autonomic nervous systems, including their coverings, blood vessels, and all effector tissue,...
.
Academic career
In 1957, Baxter was recruited to the medical school and hospital at the University of SaskatchewanUniversity of Saskatchewan
The University of Saskatchewan is a Canadian public research university, founded in 1907, and located on the east side of the South Saskatchewan River in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada. An "Act to establish and incorporate a University for the Province of Saskatchewan" was passed by the...
in Saskatoon where he helped to build the neurology service. In 1962 Baxter become Associate Professor at the School of Medicine at Temple University
Temple University
Temple University is a comprehensive public research university in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. Originally founded in 1884 by Dr. Russell Conwell, Temple University is among the nation's largest providers of professional education and prepares the largest body of professional...
and the Philadelphia General Hospital but after only 14 months, he was recruited back to McGill University as Associate Professor in the Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery and Neurologist-in-Chief at the Montreal General Hospital (MGH).
Baxter was named chairman of the Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery at McGill University (1979–1984) and moved to the Montreal Neurological Hospital as Neurologist-in-Chief. He served as Director of the Montreal Neurological Institute and Hospital (The Neuro) from 1984 to 1992 and Interim Director from 2000 to 2002.
Baxter authored a large number of scientific papers on neurological diseases and is known as a dedicated teacher and a caring physician. Colleagues at McGill recognize Baxter's contribution to their careers, noting that he willingly assumed extra clinical responsibilities to free their time for research. In 1995 the annual Donald Baxter Lecture in Neurology was established at The Neuro to honor his career achievements.
Baxter was President of the Canadian Neurological Association (1969–1970) and Chairman of the Committee on Neurology at the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons (1970–1975). He is a long serving member of the American Academy of Neurology
American Academy of Neurology
The American Academy of Neurology is a professional society for neurologists and neuroscientists. As a medical specialty society it was established in 1949 by A.B. Baker of the University of Minnesota to advance the art and science of neurology, and thereby promote the best possible care for...
, the American Neurological Association
American Neurological Association
The American Neurological Association, is a professional society with a mission of educating neurologists and physicians as well as increasing knowledge and enhancing treatment of diseases of the nervous system. It was founded in June 1875.-Officers:...
and the Canadian Congress of Neurological Sciences. He was also active in the Montreal community as a volunteer board member at the Mackay Center. Baxter lives in Montreal
Montreal
Montreal is a city in Canada. It is the largest city in the province of Quebec, the second-largest city in Canada and the seventh largest in North America...
, Quebec with Anne Bieler, who he married in 1988.
Awards
- T.S. Srinivansan Endowment Memorial Lecturer (Madras, India, 1981)
- Emeritus Professor, McGill UniversityMcGill UniversityMohammed Fathy is a public research university located in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. The university bears the name of James McGill, a prominent Montreal merchant from Glasgow, Scotland, whose bequest formed the beginning of the university...
(1992) - Officer, Order of CanadaOrder of CanadaThe Order of Canada is a Canadian national order, admission into which is, within the system of orders, decorations, and medals of Canada, the second highest honour for merit...
(1995)