The Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology
Yesterday to Today

The Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Dalhousie University, was established in 1922. Although it has gone through many changes since its inception, the goals of the Department have remained consistent. The goals of the Department are:

1. To provide the highest possible quality of obstetrical and gynaecological care for women in Nova Scotia and the Maritime Provinces.
   
2. To provide comprehensive programs for undergraduate, postgraduate and continuing medical education.
   
3. To conduct clinical and basic research.

Before the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology was formed, most gynaecological procedures and Caesarean-sections were performed by general surgeons. Obstetrical deliveries were done in the home by midwives or women familiar with maternity care under the supervision of the family doctor. Although the need for a separate Department had been recognized for many years, it was not until 1922 when the Salvation Army was about to open the New Grace Maternity Hospital that an affiliation agreement was signed between Dalhousie University and the Grace Maternity Hospital. Thus, the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology was formed.

Dr. Harold Benge Atlee was appointed the first Professor and Head of the Department. He assumed this position in 1923. This was a part-time appointment with him carrying his own clinical load. One of his first mandates was to establish a separate specialty of gynaecology from that of surgery. This did not happen overnight and not without resistance. Dr. Atlee was a man known for doing things his own way so each time a surgeon performed a gynaecologic procedure, he would perform general surgery. Eventually the point was made and he was able to convince the surgeons that gynaecology was here to stay.

The first Residency Training Program in Obstetrics and Gynaecology was established in 1946. At the time, residency training fell under hospital control, specifically the Victoria General Hospital. Dalhousie University's contribution was to offer a basic science course for residents. The first two residents in this program were Drs. Murray Davis and Carl Tupper. Residency training programs became the responsibility of the University in 1962.

In 1958, after 35 years of service, Dr. Atlee stepped down as Department Head. Dr. Carl Tupper was appointed to replace him. Dr. Tupper was the first geographic full-time appointment to the Department who actually received a University salary. The remainder of physicians had part-time appointments with the University. It soon became evident that to develop a truly academic department there needed to be more physicians with both full-time and part-time appointments. The search to attract the very best candidates for this program was undertaken. Over the next twenty years the Department recruited 6 full-time faculty members and 11 part-time members.

During Dr. Tupper's tenure as Department Head, the Department grew tremendously and became recognized nationally for its academic excellence. Several new programs and initiatives were introduced, one of note is the Reproductive Care Program of Nova Scotia (RCP). This program is still in existence today and its extensive database is admired across North America.

In 1977 Dr. Tupper stepped down as Department Head. Dr. John Collins from the University of Western Ontario was appointed as Dr. Tupper's successor. Under his guidance the Department continued to develop and grow. He recruited a number of new members, including Drs. Leo Peddle and Thomas Baskett, who had been practicing in Winnipeg. The Division of Reproductive Endocrinology started to offer new services with Drs. Wrixon, Collins, Rowe, Casper and Lea all working in the Center. Endocrinology and Infertility became a resident rotation with residents spending 4 to 6 months on this service. Planning was started for both the new Camp Hill Medical Center and a new Grace Maternity Hospital. Due to budgetary restraints during the early 1980's, both of these projects were deferred.

Dr. Collins announced his resignation in 1983, moving to Chair at MacMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario. Dr. Leo J. Peddle succeeded him as the new Chairman. Dr. Peddle had been a member of the Department since 1978 heading up the Perinatal Division. In the words of Dr. Robinson from the book entitled History of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Dalhousie University 1922 -1995 “While Leo inherited an excellent staff, a first-class postgraduate program, effective and strong sub-specialty divisions, and a department with the leading national reputation, he faced daunting difficulties.” One of these included Chairing the Planning Committee for the new Grace Maternity Hospital. This was not an easy task considering the wide variety of interest groups and having the budget for the facility cut after all of the plans had been drawn and approved. However, through it all he provided strong leadership and maintained his sense of humor never losing site of the goal to create a hospital truly designed for women. This dream became a reality when the new Grace Maternity Hospital opened its doors on May 23, 1992. In 1994 as a result of fiscal restraint and the governments emphasis to reduce the number of administrative structures in the health care sector, this new facility was amalgamated with the IWK Children's Hospital to which it was physically attached, to become the IWK Grace Health Care Centre for Children, Women and Families.

Dr. Peddle served as Department Head for 14 years until August 31, 1997. Under his leadership manpower plans were developed, retreats were held and the Department grew from nine to sixteen full-time faculty members. One of his final achievements as Department Head was to lead the initiative to have all general gynaecology services moved to the Grace Site of the IWK Grace Health Center in a facility designed with women in mind. Gynaecologic Oncology remains at the Victoria General site while the Emergency Department has been established at the new Halifax Infirmary.

On September 1, 1997, Dr. David Young assumed the position as Department Head. Dr. Young had completed his residency training with this Department, graduating in 1981. He then went to Dallas, Texas to complete a two year fellowship in Perinatology and returned as a faculty member July 1, 1983. He resigned his position in 1988 to become the Head of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at Memorial University in Newfoundland, returning to Dalhousie University as Dr. Peddle's successor. Dr. Young faced several challenges as the new Department Head. One of note was to devise a new Department Practice Plan to meet the needs of both the members and the Department. After much discussion and many drafts, a new plan was introduced on November 1, 1998. The plan has been well accepted and continues to evolve.

In November 2000, this facility announced its new financial independence from the Salvation Army by introducing their new name, The IWK Health Centre. A new logo was incorporated on April 2, 2001.

There are still many challenges facing the Department, particularly in this time of change and fiscal restraint. However, this Department remains comprised of committed faculty and staff just as it has been since 1922 when it originated. It undoubtedly will continue to be an excellent academic Department that embraces change in order achieve its mission.