April 6, 2020

In memoriam: Robert Haslam, Cumming School of Medicine

Campus flag lowered April 6, 2020
Dr. Robert Haslam, MD
Dr. Robert Haslam, MD

The Cumming School of Medicine is mourning the loss of Dr. Robert (Bob) Haslam, MD, who passed away on March 30, 2020.

Bob was an internationally renowned paediatric neurologist who greatly impacted the way we care for children with neurological disorders both within Canada and around the world. In 1975, Bob joined the University of Calgary’s medical school as a professor and head of the departments of Paediatrics and Clinical Neurosciences. As the first paediatric neurologist in Calgary, Bob deeply influenced the field of child neurology in southern Alberta and led the growth of Calgary’s Department of Paediatrics where he served as chairman for many years. He also served as the first paediatrician-in-chief at the Alberta Children’s Hospital from 1975 to 1986.

Bob’s influence expanded to other internationally recognized institutions, most notably in his roles as chairman for the Department of Paediatrics at the University of Toronto and as paediatrician-in chief at the Hospital for Sick Children from 1986 to 1996. In 2000, he returned to Calgary as a clinician and teacher until his retirement in 2015.

Bob was incredibly passionate about teaching. He inspired many of the Cumming School of Medicine’s current faculty members to pursue a career in paediatrics and was a mentor for residents who wished to specialize in paediatric neurology. His ability to connect with a child, understand that child’s neurological problem and communicate with the child’s parents was truly masterful. To then be able to instil these essential skills in his trainees has had immeasurable impact.  

Throughout his career, Bob published over 200 peer-reviewed papers, books and book chapters, and received numerous awards for his excellence as a clinician, administrator, educator and child health advocate. In 2007, Bob was awarded the Order of Canada and in 2020, he was the proud recipient of the Henry Dunn Lifetime Achievement Award from the Canadian Association of Child Neurology.

Despite these remarkable accomplishments, Bob’s skill as a clinician and teacher, as well as his remarkable compassion, are what we will remember him for. He touched the lives of thousands of patients, families, students and colleagues, and we are forever grateful for it.  

Bob’s full obituary, along with a place to share condolences and memories, can be found here. Our thoughts are with Bob’s family during this very difficult time.