IN MEMORIAM
A LEGEND IN THORACIC SURGERY (1926-2016)
F, Griffith Pearson
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Dr. F Griffith “Griff” Pearson,
a legendary leader in thoracic
surgery, was born in Toronto,
Canada on July 7, 1926, and
died peacefully on August 10,
2016. He attended University
of Toronto Schools, then
completed undergraduate
studies followed by medical
school at U of T, graduating
as silver medalist in 1949.
Following internship at the
Toronto General Hospital, he went into general practice
for a year in Port Colbourne, Ontario. He returned to the
University of Toronto for a year of research studies under
Dr Wilfred G Bigelow and subsequently entered general
practice in Wawa, in northern Ontario, for the next three
years. In 1955, Dr Pearson returned to the University of
Toronto to complete a residency in general surgery. He
developed an interest in surgery of the chest, which was just
developing at the time, and became passionately focused
on the management of thoracic diseases. As a McLaughlin
Travelling Fellow he trained under Mr. Ronald Belsey in
Bristol, England and subsequently returned to a faculty
position at Toronto General Hospital where he ultimately
spent his entire career.
In 1968, under Griff ’s leadership, a separate Division
of Thoracic Surgery was established in the Department
of Surgery at the University of Toronto. This ultimately
led to the establishment of a separate specialty by the
Royal College of Surgeons of Canada. Dr Pearson is
widely recognized throughout the world as the founder
of the specialty of thoracic surgery and for the establishment
of the “Toronto School of Thoracic Surgery” at
Toronto General Hospital, University of Toronto. This
training program became the template for thoracic training
programs throughout the world. In fact, the majority
of graduates of the “Toronto Program” are now preeminent
international leaders in the field of thoracic surgery,
heading their own programs around the globe.
Dr. Griff Pearson was an innovative thinker who instilled
in all his students the belief that hard work, a scientific
approach, and perseverance can solve the toughest challenges in medicine, as proven by his life and work. Griff introduced
mediastinoscopy to the management of lung cancer
staging, developed the first intensive care unit in Canada,
and performed key experimental studies in tracheal surgery,
enabling the development of advanced tracheal resection
for benign and malignant disease. He developed innovative
procedures that came to bear his name in tracheal
surgery (the Pearson Operation for crico-tracheal resection
and reconstruction) and in esophageal reflux surgery (the
Collis-Belsey operation). His pioneering leadership and
early research on airway surgery set the stage for the team
that he assembled in Toronto to ultimately achieve the first
successful lung transplant in the world.
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Above all, Griff was a wonderful teacher with a unique
clarity of thought and speech and an outstanding ability
to convey his message clearly. Griff had a natural
curiosity and willingness to learn new things that was
infectious. He was generous with his time and gave it
enthusiastically to his students, who came from all over
the world to learn from this master surgeon. A true
gentleman, he treated all of his students and colleagues
with great respect and always remembered names, making
each person feel important. Every surgeon who
trained with Griff would one day ask, when faced with
a difficult situation: “What would Griff do here?” to
find the answer. Each will fondly remember his famous
invocations: “Jeeesus Christ!” and “Lord love a duck!” at
critical moments in Griff ’s operating room.
Griff loved to spend time at his cabin near Mansfield,
Ontario, north of Toronto. He enjoyed the outdoors,
marveled at nature and was an avid fisherman. He
enjoyed time with his family tremendously and also with
his “second family” – his residents and thoracic surgeon
colleagues. He is responsible for building the careers of
many of the world’s leading thoracic surgeons.
Griff Pearson has three children from his first marriage to
Eva Pearson – Niels, Liz and Jenny Pearson. He remarried
and spent the second half of his life with Hilppa Pearson,
who has a daughter from her first marriage, Nina Schafrick.
Hilppa, and all the children, were at his side until the end.
Dr Griff Pearson was Surgeon in Chief of Toronto
General Hospital from 1978 to 1989. He was elected
as the 70th President of the American Association for
Thoracic Surgery from 1989-90. He also received the
Lifetime Achievement Award from the AATS in 2004.
In 2002, he was appointed as a Member of the Order of Canada – the country’s highest civilian honour, for his
contributions to thoracic surgery in Canada and around
the world.
Griff was a brave master surgeon, teacher and friend
to many. He positively touched the lives of all those he
encountered, truly defining the specialty and changing the
world. His talent, wonderful bedside manner, innate curiosity
and his innovative spirit were an inspiration to us all.
As we celebrate Griff and all that he has given to the
world, I would like to personally invite you to consider a
donation to honor his legacy and contributions in the field
of thoracic surgery. Your support will help establish the FG
Pearson Lectureship Fund in Thoracic Surgery at UHN
and UofT, reflecting Griff’s commitment to education and
training of the next generation of thoracic surgeons.
To make your donation in memory of Griff, please
visit www.drpearsontribute.ca or call 416-603-6278. If
you would prefer to make your donation through our
US Foundation to receive a US charitable receipt, please
call 1-877-846-4483 (UHN-GIVE).
Shaf Keshavjee, Surgeon -in -Chief
Sprott Department of Surgery, UHN
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