On December 22, 2014, the Faculty of Medicine community lost a leader and a true gentleman, Dr. Don Cowan. He was an expert clinician, a generous mentor, award-winning teacher and leader. He was also the inaugural recipient of the Dean’s Alumni Volunteer Award in 2013.
Cowan was born in St. John's Newfoundland and received his M.D. from the University of Toronto in 1956. He began his academic career with staff positions at Toronto General and Princess Margaret Hospitals. In 1974, he moved to Sunnybrook Health Science Center serving as Physician-in-Chief from 1974 until 1986 and in that capacity played a critical role in establishing the department as a leader in research and education.
Cowan served in a number of important leadership positions including: Vice President at Cancer Care Ontario, Deputy Chair of the University of Toronto Department of Medicine, Associate Dean of Clinical and Institutional Affairs for the Faculty of Medicine as well as Chair of the Oncology Coordinating Council for the Faculty of Medicine. He also served as President of both the Canadian Hematology Society and the Canadian Oncology Society. He retired from active practice in June 2011 but since that time, has continued to be actively involved with Sunnybrook as well as the University of Toronto Medical Alumni Association.
Throughout his career, Cowan has been recognized as an outstanding teacher and has mentored generations of trainees. He has been the recipient of many teaching awards and has remained dedicated to educating students and residents well past his retirement from clinical practice.
He will be missed by students, faculty, staff and alumni for his impact on our institution.
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