Robin Hunter (psychiatrist)
Encyclopedia
Robin C.A. Hunter was a Jamaican Canadian
psychiatrist
who was Chair of the Department of Psychiatry at Queen's University
and University of Toronto
, as well as Director and Psychiatrist-in-Chief at the Clarke Institute of Psychiatry
. There, Hunter founded their clinical program for transsexual people.
and came to Canada
in 1940. He joined the Royal Canadian Air Force
during World War II
. He was shot down over occupied Europe and spent four years as a prisoner of war
after being processed at Dulag Luft
. After the war, he enrolled at McGill University
and earned a medical degree in 1950.
He was head of the Department of Psychiatry at Queen's University until 1966. In 1967, he was appointed to the same position at the University of Toronto, where the department of psychiatry had a largely biological orientation prior to that. According to his colleague and successor Frederick Lowy
, Hunter stressed that psychiatric illness can have its roots in genetics and experience, based on his experiences as a psychiatrist and psychoanalyst. He was named Psychiatrist-in-Chief of the Clarke Institute in 1967, becoming Director and CEO in 1969. In 1973, he was appointed Associate Dean (Clinical) of the Faculty of Medicine. Frederick Lowy succeeded Hunter as Chair in 1974.
Hunter died at Toronto Western Hospital
from complications of exploratory surgery
.
Jamaican Canadian
Jamaican Canadians are Canadians of Jamaican descent, or Jamaican-born people with Canadian citizenship. The population, according to Canada's 2006 Census, is 231,110. Jamaican Canadians comprise about 30% of the entire black Canadian population.-History:...
psychiatrist
Psychiatrist
A psychiatrist is a physician who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of mental disorders. All psychiatrists are trained in diagnostic evaluation and in psychotherapy...
who was Chair of the Department of Psychiatry at Queen's University
Queen's University
Queen's University, , is a public research university located in Kingston, Ontario, Canada. Founded on 16 October 1841, the university pre-dates the founding of Canada by 26 years. Queen's holds more more than of land throughout Ontario as well as Herstmonceux Castle in East Sussex, England...
and University of Toronto
University of Toronto
The University of Toronto is a public research university in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, situated on the grounds that surround Queen's Park. It was founded by royal charter in 1827 as King's College, the first institution of higher learning in Upper Canada...
, as well as Director and Psychiatrist-in-Chief at the Clarke Institute of Psychiatry
Clarke Institute of Psychiatry
The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health is a psychiatric hospital in Toronto, Ontario. Much of their work focuses on forensic psychology, sex addiction, drug addiction, and research designed to shape public policy....
. There, Hunter founded their clinical program for transsexual people.
Life and career
Hunter was born in JamaicaJamaica
Jamaica is an island nation of the Greater Antilles, in length, up to in width and 10,990 square kilometres in area. It is situated in the Caribbean Sea, about south of Cuba, and west of Hispaniola, the island harbouring the nation-states Haiti and the Dominican Republic...
and came to Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
in 1940. He joined the Royal Canadian Air Force
Royal Canadian Air Force
The history of the Royal Canadian Air Force begins in 1920, when the air force was created as the Canadian Air Force . In 1924 the CAF was renamed the Royal Canadian Air Force and granted royal sanction by King George V. The RCAF existed as an independent service until 1968...
during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. He was shot down over occupied Europe and spent four years as a prisoner of war
Prisoner of war
A prisoner of war or enemy prisoner of war is a person, whether civilian or combatant, who is held in custody by an enemy power during or immediately after an armed conflict...
after being processed at Dulag Luft
Dulag luft
thumb|right|Sgt. Edward Hill of [[Manchester, England]], freed from five years of captivity at Dulag Luft, by the American Seventh Armored Division, First Army, circa 29 March 1945...
. After the war, he enrolled 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 earned a medical degree in 1950.
He was head of the Department of Psychiatry at Queen's University until 1966. In 1967, he was appointed to the same position at the University of Toronto, where the department of psychiatry had a largely biological orientation prior to that. According to his colleague and successor Frederick Lowy
Frederick Lowy
Frederick Hans Lowy, OC is a Canadian medical educator and President and Vice-Chancellor of Concordia University.-Life and career:...
, Hunter stressed that psychiatric illness can have its roots in genetics and experience, based on his experiences as a psychiatrist and psychoanalyst. He was named Psychiatrist-in-Chief of the Clarke Institute in 1967, becoming Director and CEO in 1969. In 1973, he was appointed Associate Dean (Clinical) of the Faculty of Medicine. Frederick Lowy succeeded Hunter as Chair in 1974.
Hunter died at Toronto Western Hospital
Toronto Western Hospital
-External links:****...
from complications of exploratory surgery
Exploratory surgery
Exploratory surgery is a diagnostic method used by doctors when trying to find a diagnosis for an ailment. It can be performed in both humans and animals, but it is far more common in animals...
.