Wilfred Gordon Bigelow

Wilfred Gordon Bigelow, born on June eighteenth, nineteen thirteen, in Brandon, Manitoba, was a pioneering Canadian heart surgeon renowned for his groundbreaking contributions to cardiac surgery. He was the son of Dr. Wilfred Abram Bigelow, who established the first private medical clinic in Canada, and Grace Ann Gordon, a dedicated nurse and midwife. After earning his MD from the University of Toronto in nineteen thirty-eight, Bigelow served as a captain in the Royal Canadian Medical Army Corps during World War II, where he performed critical battle surgeries on the frontlines.

In nineteen forty-seven, Bigelow joined the surgical staff at Toronto General Hospital, following a year of advanced training at Johns Hopkins Medical School. His academic journey continued as he became a member of the Department of Surgery at the University of Toronto in nineteen forty-eight. It was during the nineteen fifties that he made significant strides in cardiac surgery by developing the use of hypothermia as a medical procedure, which involved lowering a patient's body temperature to enhance safety during heart operations.

Beyond his surgical innovations, Bigelow authored two influential books, 'Cold Hearts' and 'Mysterious Heparin.' His commitment to the environment was evident through his roles as a director of the Audubon Society and the Nature Conservancy of Canada. In recognition of his contributions to medicine and society, he was appointed an Officer of the Order of Canada in nineteen eighty-one and was inducted into the Canadian Medical Hall of Fame in nineteen ninety-seven.

Wilfred Bigelow's personal life was equally fulfilling; he was married to Ruth Jennings for nearly sixty years, and together they raised four children: Pixie, John, Dan, and Bill. His legacy as a heart surgeon and a family man continues to inspire many.