Robert Beamish
Encyclopedia
Robert Earl Beamish, CM
, OM
(September 16, 1916 – February 17, 2001) was a Canadian
physician
and cardiologist.
Born in Shoal Lake, Manitoba
, the son of Henry and Mary May (McLeod) Beamish, Beamish graduated with a B.A. from Brandon College in 1937 and an M.D. from the University of Manitoba
in 1942. He served in Canada with the Royal Canadian Military Corps from 1944 to 1946, retiring with the rank of Captain. From 1947 to 1948, he studied in London
after being awarded a Nuffield Dominion Travelling Fellowship.
Upon returning to Canada, Beamish began his efforts to have the study and treatment of heart disease established as a legitimate field of medical specialty in Canada. He pioneered the idea that by lowering cholesterol
the risk of heart disease was significantly lowered.
He served as a physician and cardiologist at the University of Manitoba, the Winnipeg Health Sciences Centre and the Manitoba Clinic, where he established the department of cardiology. In 1970, he joined the Great West Life Assurance Co., becoming Vice President, Underwriting and Medical. He was appointed Professor Emeritus of the University of Manitoba in 1989 and received honorary degrees from Brandon University
and the University of Manitoba.
He was a Founding Director of the Manitoba Heart Foundation and served on its Medical Committee for over 30 years. He was also chairman of the Medical Advisory Committee of the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada from 1970 to 1972. He was President of both the Manitoba Medical Association and the Manitoba College of Physicians and Surgeons.
He is the co-author of Manitoba Medicine: A Brief History (1999, ISBN 0-88755-660-4).
In 1990 he was made a Member of the Order of Canada
. In 2000 he was awarded the Order of Manitoba
.
In 1943, he married Mary Kathleen Weekes. They had three daughters: Catherine (born 1949), Judith (born 1953) and Mary Anne (born 1955).
Order of Canada
The 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...
, OM
Order of Manitoba
The Order of Manitoba is a civilian honour for merit in the Canadian province of Manitoba. Instituted in 1999 when Lieutenant Governor Peter M...
(September 16, 1916 – February 17, 2001) was a Canadian
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...
physician
Physician
A physician is a health care provider who practices the profession of medicine, which is concerned with promoting, maintaining or restoring human health through the study, diagnosis, and treatment of disease, injury and other physical and mental impairments...
and cardiologist.
Born in Shoal Lake, Manitoba
Shoal Lake, Manitoba
-Shoal Lake, Ontario:At the eastern border of the province with Ontario, a portion of Shoal Lake and the surrounding watershed lies within Manitoba.-Shoal Lake, Manitoba:...
, the son of Henry and Mary May (McLeod) Beamish, Beamish graduated with a B.A. from Brandon College in 1937 and an M.D. from the University of Manitoba
University of Manitoba
The University of Manitoba , in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, is the largest university in the province of Manitoba. It is Manitoba's most comprehensive and only research-intensive post-secondary educational institution. It was founded in 1877, making it Western Canada’s first university. It placed...
in 1942. He served in Canada with the Royal Canadian Military Corps from 1944 to 1946, retiring with the rank of Captain. From 1947 to 1948, he studied in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
after being awarded a Nuffield Dominion Travelling Fellowship.
Upon returning to Canada, Beamish began his efforts to have the study and treatment of heart disease established as a legitimate field of medical specialty in Canada. He pioneered the idea that by lowering cholesterol
Cholesterol
Cholesterol is a complex isoprenoid. Specifically, it is a waxy steroid of fat that is produced in the liver or intestines. It is used to produce hormones and cell membranes and is transported in the blood plasma of all mammals. It is an essential structural component of mammalian cell membranes...
the risk of heart disease was significantly lowered.
He served as a physician and cardiologist at the University of Manitoba, the Winnipeg Health Sciences Centre and the Manitoba Clinic, where he established the department of cardiology. In 1970, he joined the Great West Life Assurance Co., becoming Vice President, Underwriting and Medical. He was appointed Professor Emeritus of the University of Manitoba in 1989 and received honorary degrees from Brandon University
Brandon University
Brandon University is a Canadian university located in the city of Brandon, Manitoba, with an enrolment of 3383 full-time and part-time students. The current location was founded on July 13, 1899, as Brandon College as a Baptist institution. It was chartered as a university by then President Dr....
and the University of Manitoba.
He was a Founding Director of the Manitoba Heart Foundation and served on its Medical Committee for over 30 years. He was also chairman of the Medical Advisory Committee of the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada from 1970 to 1972. He was President of both the Manitoba Medical Association and the Manitoba College of Physicians and Surgeons.
He is the co-author of Manitoba Medicine: A Brief History (1999, ISBN 0-88755-660-4).
In 1990 he was made a Member of the Order of Canada
Order of Canada
The 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...
. In 2000 he was awarded the Order of Manitoba
Order of Manitoba
The Order of Manitoba is a civilian honour for merit in the Canadian province of Manitoba. Instituted in 1999 when Lieutenant Governor Peter M...
.
In 1943, he married Mary Kathleen Weekes. They had three daughters: Catherine (born 1949), Judith (born 1953) and Mary Anne (born 1955).