Orthopaedic surgeons honour division founder

By Communications Staff
April 29, 2011

A group of 25 orthopaedic surgeons at The University of Western Ontario’s Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry has committed $1.5 million in honour of Dr. J.C. Kennedy. Its members include, front row, from left, Graham King, Kevin Gurr, Bob Bourne, Jim Roth, Steve MacDonald and Ken Faber; second row, from left, Deb Bartley, Marie-Eve LeBel, Darren Drosdowech, Rich McCalden, Kevin Willets, Dave Sanders, Ruby Grewal and Stew Bailey; back row, from left, Bob Giffin, Mark MacLeod, Doug Naudie, Tim Carey, Jim McAuley, George Athwal, Jamie Howard, Abdel Lawendy, Chris Bailey, Dave Chess and Bob Litchfield.

A group of 25 orthopaedic surgeons at The University of Western Ontario’s Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry has committed $1.5 million in honour of Dr. J.C. Kennedy, Western’s first professor and chair of orthopaedic surgery. The donation will be matched by the university to create a $3 million endowed chair to strengthen research and education in orthopaedic surgery, effective July 1.

The J.C. Kennedy Chair in Orthopaedic Surgery will allow Western to recruit and/or retain an individual of high standing in the field of orthopaedic surgery, who would also hold the position of chair of orthopaedic surgery, a division in the Department of Surgery at Schulich.  Western’s postgraduate training program in orthopaedic surgery began in 1960 under the leadership of Kennedy, who passed away in 1983. Since those early days, the division has grown into one of the premier training programs recognized by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada.

This endowed chair honours Kennedy’s legacy, and commitment to excellence.

Shawn Simpson

Dr. James Roth, chair, Division of Orthopaedic Surgery, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, says his division expanded and flourished under the strong leadership of prior division chairs including Drs. J.C. Kennedy, Harvey Bailey, Cecil Rorabeck and Robert Bourne.

“Western’s Division of Orthopaedic Surgery has expanded and flourished under the strong leadership of prior division chairs including Drs. Kennedy, Harvey Bailey, Cecil Rorabeck and Robert Bourne. The J.C. Kennedy Chair ensures that the division will be able to compete for the best possible leaders in perpetuity," says Dr. James Roth, current division chair. 

“The establishment of new endowed chairs is a key strategy in raising Western’s profile as a globally recognized academic institution,” says Amit Chakma, Western’s president and vice-chancellor.  “The J.C. Kennedy Chair in Orthopaedic Surgery will not only strengthen our collaborative partnerships across the community in education, research and clinical care, but it will also take the orthopaedic division’s reputation for excellence to a global level. We appreciate the vital role our alumni and private sector partners play in this exciting opportunity.”

In recognition of the importance of endowed chairs to its future, Western will match commitments totaling $1.5 million to establish a $3 million endowed chair.