I read your recent death notice for Dr. Alfred Farmer1 with dismay and incredulity. There are no inaccuracies in your report, only regrettable omissions.
“Farm,” who graduated from the University of Toronto in 1927, was a founder of plastic surgery in both Canada and the US and a member of the American Association of Plastic Surgery, the oldest organized body of its type in the world. He was also a founding member of the Canadian Society of Plastic Surgeons and is considered the father of Canadian hand surgery — now a sophisticated subspecialty.
As surgeon-in-chief at the Hospital for Sick Children for 10 years, he reorganized the department into the 7 divisions we are familiar with today. In World War II he was chief surgical consultant with the Royal Canadian Air Force. His work was recognized by his appointment to the Order of Canada and as an honorary surgeon to the Queen. He was also awarded Member of the Order of the British Empire.
As must be evident, your brief paragraph concerning this great man was regrettably inadequate, and I cannot allow it to pass without comment.
Barry Shandling Professor of Surgery (Emeritus) University of Toronto Toronto, Ont.
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