Division of Neurosurgery

Department of Surgery

History

A proud tradition of neurosurgical care

The origins of neurosurgical services in Atlantic Canada are tied to the individual efforts of William D. Stevenson. Born in Hamilton, Ontario, Stevenson completed his senior matriculation in Dunnville, Ontario, before studying medicine at the University of Toronto. He completed the Gallie surgical course in Toronto and then spent 1 year training with Edward Archibald at McGill University. After working for 2 years with the Canadian Mobile Neurosurgical Unit in Europe during the Second World War, Stevenson undertook formal neurosurgical training with Kenneth G. McKenzie, Canada’s first neurosurgeon. Stevenson was thereafter recruited to Halifax to start the neurosurgical service at the Victoria General Hospital in January 1948, and he remained head of the division for the next 26 years. His pioneering work laid the foundations for the establishment of a major academic neurosurgical service at Dalhousie University and was crucial for the establishment of neurosurgery in Atlantic Canada. After his retirement, Stevenson moved back to Ontario and began his second career, transferring his passion for neurosurgery to oil painting. His legacy to neurosurgery in Atlantic Canada will be remembered in perpetuity with the annual Neurosurgery Resident Research Award at Dalhousie University, established and named in his honour.

Learn more about Dr. Stevenson and his contributions to neurosurgery at Dalhousie and beyond.

Heads of Neurosurgery - the First 50 Years and Beyond

1948 - 1974 Dr. W.D. Stevenson
1974 - 1982 Dr. W.S. Huestis
1982 - 1987 Dr. W.D. Howes
1987 - 1998 Dr. R.O. Holness
1998 - 2011 Dr. I. Mendez
2011 - current Dr. David B. Clarke