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A man of 'uncommon principles and larger-than-life talents' remembered

Life and legacy of Dr. Norman Bethune was explored at recent Orillia Museum of Art & History Speaker Series event

NEWS RELEASE
ORILLIA MUSEUM OF ART & HISTORY
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Dr. Chris Decker shared the story of Dr. Norman Bethune in his talk 'Dr. Norman Bethune: Surgeon, Humanitarian, Communist, Enigma and Muskokan,' at the Orillia Museum of Art & History Speaker Series via Zoom on Sept. 15.

Decker’s account painted a picture of a real person, the social and political times he lived in, his larger-than-life talents and his uncommon principles. Bethune’s was a short and action-packed life, in service of others.

Dr. Norman Bethune was a highly intelligent, innovative, dedicated professional. He was a man given to risky behaviour and anger. He worked to his principles, bringing medical treatment to those who were deprived because of economic, political and social circumstances.

Bethune was an advocate for the model of health care we have now. . . public health care access, also known as socialized medicine.

Most locals know of Bethune House in Gravenhurst, where he was born. But the story of his family and the journey to having his birthplace recognized is not generally known.

Bethune was a lumberman, a stretcher bearer in the First World War, a University of Toronto graduate in medicine and a surgical graduate from the Royal Infirmary in Edinburgh. As a physician, he was known to accept payment in kind, to waive payment or even give money to patients in need.

As a surgeon, Bethune was innovative in his techniques and inventive in designing new surgical tools, several of which are still patented and in use.

Decker related how Bethune put his health at risk from overwork, the maladies of his patients, malnutrition and work-related injuries.

In the 1930s, supported by funds raised in Canada, Bethune provided medical care during the Spanish Civil War to the side fighting for democracy, setting up life-saving blood transfusions in the midst of that conflict.

Many are aware that Bethune is revered in China today for his selfless medical support of the revolution, guided by Mao Zedong. He died from septicemia on Nov. 12, 1939 in Huang, Shiko, China. Mao Zedong wrote Bethune’s obituary.

Yet, there is much detail, not widely discussed to be learned.

If you weren’t able to attend the presentation and want to hear the full story, it is now available on the OMAH’s YouTube channel. Click here to view the presentation.

OMAH and the History Committee will be continuing the Speakers Series on Wednesday, Oct. 20 at 7 p.m. via Zoom. OMAH History Committee member Fred Kallin will present: Alfred Nobel and the Canadian Nobel Prize Winners.

Who is Alfred Nobel and why did he create a set of prizes for all humanity? Hear Kallin share a fascinating glimpse into a century-old award and learn about the 24 Canadian winners, one whom is from Simcoe County.

Click here to register for the talk or call Monica at 705-326-2159 or email [email protected]
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