Shaping Plastic Surgery in British Columbia—The Courtemanche Legacy

Abstract

Dr Albert Douglas Courtemanche was born in Gravenhurst, Ontario on November 16, 1929. In 1949, he was accepted to the University of Toronto Medical School, graduating in 1955. After completing his internship at the Toronto General Hospital and at the Hospital for Sick Children, he completed his surgical training in Vancouver and in the United Kingdom. When Dr Courtemanche returned from his training in 1962, he joined Dr Cowan on the surgical staff at the Vancouver General Hospital. He was responsible for establishing a new plastic surgery ward, a dedicated operating room (OR), an integrated burn unit and also starting the UBC plastic surgery training program. Dr Courtemanche became involved in working with the Royal College, first as an examiner and then as the Chairman of the Plastic Surgery Exam Board in 1981. He eventually became the first and only plastic surgeon to ever hold the position as President of the Royal College. Dr Courtemanche emphasized throughout his career the importance of teaching and role modeling. A very proud moment in Dr Courtemanche’s career was when his son Douglas became a pediatric plastic surgeon. After retiring Dr Courtemanche became a volunteer at the VanDusen Botanical Garden and completed their Master Gardeners Program.