MUSEUM BLOG
Black History Month: Dr. Douglas Salmon
As one of only four Black students at the University of Toronto’s medical school, in 1955 Dr. J Douglas Salmon graduated and would go on to become president of Scarborough Centenary Hospital’s medical staff, and chief of general surgery – the first black person in Canada to hold these positions. He also became one of the first surgeons in Canada to treat people who were morbidly obese with the then life-changing treatment, gastric bypass surgery.
Black History Month: Clotilda Douglas-Yakimchuk
Born and raised in Whitney Pier, Nova Scotia, Clotilda Douglas-Yakimchuk became the first Black graduate of the Nova Scotia Hospital School of Nursing in 1954. She also went on to earn a postgraduate midwifery diploma and psychiatric nursing certificate, and diploma in adult education. Clotilda is also the only Black President in the history of the Registered Nurses’ Association of Nova Scotia (now known as The College of Registered Nurses of Nova Scotia) to date.
Black History Month: Dr. June Marion James
Inspired by her grandmother and spurred on by her family’s experience with typhoid, Dr. June Marion James attended the University of Manitoba with the intention of pursuing a career in medicine. She was the first Black woman to attend the university, and only Black woman of the six women in its medical program in 1963.
2024 Summer Positions Available
The Museum of Health Care is hiring for various positions this summer. Spend your summer working in heritage!
Teddy Bear Hospital Event Returns for Family Day 2024
The Teddy Bear Hospital has been the Museum of Health Care’s signature event for over 10 years. The goal of the event is to dispel any fears that children may have about visiting a health care provider, improve health literacy and promote health and wellbeing—and of course, highlight the Museum’s collection of historical medical artifacts. Suitable for all ages 0-10.
Scents & Sensibility: Awakening the Fashionable History of Victorian-Era Smelling Salts
Fainting at the least hint of shock became one way that women could show their delicate and frail nature; to swoon was not only an accepted social cue, but also downright ladylike. Coupled with the prevailing corset fashion of the era, which shifted ribs, constricted lungs, and compressed organs, this created a perfect recipe for a social fainting phenomenon.
Heritage Hour: Rockwood and Early Mental Health Treatment in Canada
On Thursday, December 7th, 2023 the Museum of Health Care's Curator, Rowena McGowan delivered a talk for the City of Kingston's Heritage Hour. The topic was the evolution of mental health care in Canada with a focus on Rockwood Asylum.
Today is GivingTuesday!
This #GivingTuesday, we are asking for your support as we work to revitalize the way we tell the story of Canada’s nursing history and change the focus from nursing education to the skilled and often challenging work of a professional nurse.
GivingTuesday Campaign 2023
This GivingTuesday, we are asking for your support as we work to revitalize the way we tell the story of Canada’s nursing history and change the focus from nursing education to the skilled and often challenging work of a professional nurse.