Rapport Winter 2010/11 : Page 25
dR. PeTeR aRMsTRoNG [ ALUMni PRoFiLe a n elevator seems like an unlikely place to make a life-altering decision about one’s career but for Western Medicine alumnus dr. peter armstrong (Md’72), that’s what happened in his youth. as part of a social group affiliated with the YMca in his hometown of Owen sound, Ontario, armstrong would spend time at the then-named Owen sound general and Marine hospital. “i would volunteer every time to run the elevators and was determined that i was going to walk the halls of that hospital as a doctor.” Though he never practised medicine in owen sound, he has walked the halls of some notable medical institutions throughout an impressive career that began in London, ontario. “There was never any doubt in my mind that i was going to go to Western,” he says on the phone from his office at the headquarters for shriners hospitals for children in Tampa, Florida. The shriners hospitals for children are dedicated to improving the lives of children through paediatric specialty care, innovative research and outstanding teaching programs for medical professionals. The hospitals are world-renowned for excellence in burn care, cleft-lip and palate treatment, orthopaedics, and spinal cord injury rehabilitation. “We have really determined the standard of care for children who are burned worldwide because of all the clinical work and research we’ve done,” he explains. “We’re also developing a reputation in spinal cord injury rehabilitation because our sacramento (california), chicago and Philadelphia hospitals are the only shriners hospitals that have specialized treatment programs just for children and adolescents.” shriners hospitals have also cared for countless children from outside the united states. Mexico, in particular, has relied on the care provided by the Galveston, Texas, and sacramento locations. “i knew Western had an excellent reputation and i never regretted my decision. ever.” surgical rotations at st. Joseph’s hospital in London turned his attention to surgery. after graduation, he served three years in Germany as part of the canadian armed Forces Medical officers Program, and then returned to Toronto in 1976 to begin his orthopaedic residency, which included a year of research on thromboembolism. his work led him to the hospital for sick children in Toronto, where he cared for children alongside his mentor, the late dr. Robert b. salter. in 1991, armstrong’s career took a turn when he accepted a job as chief of staff at the shriners hospital in salt Lake city. after close to 10 years in that position, he was asked to take on his current role at the shriners hospitals headquarters in Tampa. as vice-President of Medical affairs and chief Medical officer, he oversees the 23 chiefs of staff at 22 shriners hospitals in united states, canada and Mexico. it’s a gratifying role, he says, because of the influence the hospitals are having on the care of children across North america and beyond. Presently, the shriners have set up fellowships at the sacramento location to train two Mexican doctors in burn care who will work in the shriners hospital in Mexico city. it’s a close relationship that was recently honoured by Mexican President Felipe calderon and First Lady Margarita zavala. armstrong accepted an award thanking the shriners organization for its care of Mexican children, including the aid provided after a horrific fire at a daycare centre in hermosillo, Mexico. Through his role, armstrong is making a difference globally by managing a large network of hospitals that employs some of the best and brightest paediatric specialists in the world. “i believe in the mission of shriners hospitals for children, which is excellence in patient care, research and teaching. Those of us who have worked in academic medicine know that those three things are inextricably linked.” “Through shriners hospitals for children, we impact those who come to us for care. and through our research and teaching, we impact the lives of children around the world who will never come to a shriners hospital. That’s what brings me in every morning.” iN 2009, shRiNeRs hosPiTaLs FoR chiLdReN caRed FoR 123,844 PaTieNTs acRoss iTs 22 hosPiTaLs iN uNiTed sTaTes aNd caNada Photos courtesy of shriners hospitals for children 2010/11 rappOrt [ 27
Publication List
Using a screen reader? Click Here