A Century of Medical Innovation, Advocacy, and Challenging the Status Quo

Diana MacKay recalls accompanying her father, Dr. Ken Walker, on his hospital rounds as a child. She would wait outside patient rooms or with the nurses, observing how his colleagues held him in high regard, often sharing how much they learned from him and the positive impact he had. To her, he was a figure of immense respect, someone who seemed to make everyone better.

Kenneth Francis Walker, known as W. Gifford-Jones, MD, passed away at 101. He was a celebrated doctor and medical columnist, remembered for his strong advocacy for women's rights, support for medical assistance in dying, and his focus on what he termed "common-sense health." He authored ten books, including one that aimed to dispel myths about hysterectomies and another that highlighted the potential health benefits of high-dose Vitamin C and Lysine.

He was known for tackling controversial issues, even facing death threats for performing legal abortions in Canada. His daughter, Diana Gifford-Jones, will continue his column, reflecting on his legacy of taking a stand and making a difference. Dr. Walker performed thousands of surgeries, continuing into his 70s, and saw his last patient at 87. He wrote his column, The Doctor Game, for 50 years, until his death, writing it with his daughter for the last five years.

In his final column, Dr. Walker expressed regret for the anxiety his stance on contentious issues caused his family. He believed in being true to oneself and found fulfillment in his dual roles as a surgeon and medical journalist.

Born in London, England, in 1924, Dr. Walker's family moved to Montreal when he was four and then to Niagara Falls, Ontario. He was not a brilliant student, but he excelled with the help of his teachers. At 15, he decided to become a doctor, driven by a desire to understand the human body and care for people.

After being initially rejected from the University of Toronto Medical School, he took a pre-med course and was later accepted to Harvard Medical School, graduating in 1950. He continued his surgical training at various hospitals and also worked as a ship's surgeon and a hotel doctor.

During his postgraduate training at Harvard, he met Susan Turner, who became his wife of nearly 70 years. They married in 1956 and had four children. Dr. Walker practiced as a gynecological surgeon in Niagara Falls for 25 years before joining the staff at Toronto Western and Toronto General hospitals.

Nicholas Leyland, who met Dr. Walker during his training, remembers him as a "renaissance medical guy" who inspired others to remain curious and question established norms. Dr. Walker's final advice was to avoid over-reliance on medication and to consider natural remedies. He is survived by his wife, four children, and 12 grandchildren.