William Edward Gallie, M.D. 1882-1959

Photo by Karl Jacob - October 27, 2006

Plaque Location

The County of Simcoe
The City of Barrie
In Queens Park on the south side of Ross Street, east of Highway 400, across the street from Victoria Village, the former site of Royal Victoria Hospital

Plaque Text

A master surgeon and teacher, Gallie was born in Barrie and educated at the University of Toronto. In 1906, after serving internships in Toronto and New York hospitals, he joined the staff of the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto. There Gallie conducted extensive clinical research on tendon fixation, the repair of bone and the transplantation of tissue as 'living sutures', devising and perfecting revolutionary techniques now used all over the world. As Professor of Surgery (1929-47) and Dean of the Faculty of Medicine (1936-46) at the University of Toronto, he developed the first systematic training program for surgeons in Canada and produced many graduates who later gained renown. Well-regarded by his peers, Gallie received numerous honours for his outstanding contributions to medical science.