Series 6 - Medical and professional activities

.5 m of textual records and ephemera.
163 photographs.

This series reflects the diverse contributions, that Robertson made as a physician, surgeon, and hospital administrator, as well as containing files related to Robertson’s medical training immediately following his graduation from McGill. Robertson’s time as an intern in the Pathology Department at the Montreal General Hospital is documented through photos, 1937 1938 (Container 4, File 112). Also included are orthopedic notes from the John Bruce Lectures that Robertson attended as an intern in Edinburgh, 1938-1939 (Container 4, File 92). Robertson’s wartime medical experiences are preserved through newspaper clippings, photos, and notes, in the form of a scrapbook, 1940-1943 (Container 11, File 194), and additional secondary sources, including Robertson’s chapter on wound infections in W. R. Feasby’s The Canadian Medical Services 1939 1945, Vol. II, 1953 and correspondence from the Minister of National Defence, Brooke Claxton (Container 19, Files 265 266).

His medical work in Vancouver following WWII, such as his contributions to the development of the Faculty of Medicine and Department of Surgery at the University of British Columbia and his role as first Professor and Head Surgeon is documented through correspondence files, photos, pamphlets, and ephemera, 1952-1971, 1950-1975 (Container 4, File 97, 100). Also included is information on the launch of his private practice in Vancouver, 1949 (Container 4, File 95) , as well as articles and gifts commemorating his time at Vancouver General Hospital, 1959-1990 (Container 4, File 96). Robertson’s rejection, in 1947, of McGill’s initial offer of the position of Professor of Surgery and Chairman of the Department of Surgery can be found in Container 1, File.

Robertson’s work at the Montreal General Hospital, particularly his time as Surgeon in Chief, is documented through numerous records and correspondence files, 1937-1997 (Container 4, Files 112 118, 1/119-2/119). His membership in different professional organizations, such as the Canadian Association of General Surgeons. 1985-1988 (Container 2, File 31) and the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, 1960-1980, 1985 (Container 5, File 121) among others, are also included, as are meetings and conferences he attended as a member of the American College of Surgeons 1950-1961 (Container 2, File 29). Of interest are the pamphlets and photos Robertson acquired as a result of his membership as part of the Surgeon’s Travel Club, 1961-1989 (Container 4, File 98). Additional correspondence files, memberships, and certificates document further medical related activities, 1958, 1974, 1962 (Container 4, Files 99, 102; (Container 4, File 36, 50), including his trip to Harvard University as Visiting Surgeon in Chief Pro Tempore, 1955-1956 (Container 4, File 104). Thank you cards and correspondence with former patients demonstrate Robertson’s skills as a physician and surgeon, particularly highlighting his superb bedside manner, 1974-1994 (Container 4, File 103).

Photos, cards, invitations, correspondence files, books, and agendas reflect Robertson’s continual involvement in the professional arena after his retirement from McGill, 1985-1986 (Container 6, File 129). His professional influence is reflected in the number of functions he attended, which included conferences, dinners, installation ceremonies, and fundraising activities, 1962-1973, 1971-1983, 1981 (Container 4, File 109-110; Container 15, File 233; Container 2, File 30). This series also includes his role as the Director of the Bell Telephone Company, 1965-1985, 1992, 1994 (Container 1, File 21) his membership and subsequent role on the Archives and Library Committee of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons, 1955-1999 (Container 1, Files 22 23), and special appointments, such as to the Science Council of Canada (1976-1982), 1973-1979 (Container 1, File 13) and his time as the president of the Traffic Injury Research Foundation of Canada (1967-1973), 1971-1973, 1974 (Container 2, File 35; Container 16, File 234), among other boards. Reports, including the “Report to the Hospital for Sick Children” in Toronto, Ontario, 1975 (Container 4, File 108) highlight Robertson’s role as a much sought after advisor, 1990-1992 (Container 1, File 10). Robertson also sat on several different scholarship committees, 1967-1989, 1986-1991 (Container 2, File 27; Container 4, 107), and he was responsible for the nomination of Dr. Brenda Milner of the Montreal Neurological Institute and McGill professor for the Order of Canada, 1982 2004 (Container 2, File 42).