Garth Taylor (ophthalmologist)
Encyclopedia
Dr. Garth Alfred Taylor, OJ
(April 29, 1944 - November 19, 2005) was a Jamaican ophthalmologist, professor, and humanitarian.
Born in Montego Bay
, Taylor was a Queen's Scout
in his youth. He received his education at Cornwall College in Jamaica and Queen's University
in Ontario
. He later became an associate professor of ophthalmology at the latter institution, as well as chief of ophthalmology at Cornwall Community Hospital in Canada.
Taylor was also the vice-president of ORBIS Canada
, a charity devoted to preventing and correcting avoidable cases of blindness in the developing world, and the co-founder of Canadian Surgical Eye Expeditions (CANSEE), another charitable organization devoted to the same purpose. Working out of a McDonnell Douglas DC-10
airplane converted into a mobile field hospital, he performed more than 1,000 charitable eye operations in more than 60 different countries, during more than 100 separate surgical missions. Taylor also provided on-site training for local doctors in cornea, cataract and refractive procedures. For his efforts, he was honored with the Order of Jamaica
in 2005.
Taylor and his wife Beverly had two children: a daughter, Leanne, and a son, Gregory. He died unexpectedly on November 19, 2005, as the result of an aortic aneurysm
.
Order of Jamaica
The Order of Jamaica is the fourth of the five ranks in the Jamaican honours system. The Order was established in 1969, and is considered the equivalent of knighthood in the British honours system....
(April 29, 1944 - November 19, 2005) was a Jamaican ophthalmologist, professor, and humanitarian.
Born in Montego Bay
Montego Bay
Montego Bay is the capital of St. James Parish and the second largest city in Jamaica by area and the fourth by population .It is a tourist destination with duty free shopping, cruise line terminal and the beaches...
, Taylor was a Queen's Scout
Queen's Scout
The Queen's Scout Award is the highest youth award achievable in the Scouting movement in several countries. It is awarded in realms of the Commonwealth, including the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand where the Scouts operate under the ceremonial leadership of the monarch.The...
in his youth. He received his education at Cornwall College in Jamaica and Queen's University
Queen's University
Queen's University, , is a public research university located in Kingston, Ontario, Canada. Founded on 16 October 1841, the university pre-dates the founding of Canada by 26 years. Queen's holds more more than of land throughout Ontario as well as Herstmonceux Castle in East Sussex, England...
in Ontario
Ontario
Ontario is a province of Canada, located in east-central Canada. It is Canada's most populous province and second largest in total area. It is home to the nation's most populous city, Toronto, and the nation's capital, Ottawa....
. He later became an associate professor of ophthalmology at the latter institution, as well as chief of ophthalmology at Cornwall Community Hospital in Canada.
Taylor was also the vice-president of ORBIS Canada
ORBIS International
Orbis International is an international non-profit non-governmental organization dedicated to saving sight worldwide. Orbis programs focus on the prevention of blindness and the treatment of blinding eye diseases in developing countries...
, a charity devoted to preventing and correcting avoidable cases of blindness in the developing world, and the co-founder of Canadian Surgical Eye Expeditions (CANSEE), another charitable organization devoted to the same purpose. Working out of a McDonnell Douglas DC-10
McDonnell Douglas DC-10
The McDonnell Douglas DC-10 is a three-engine widebody jet airliner manufactured by McDonnell Douglas. The DC-10 has range for medium- to long-haul flights, capable of carrying a maximum 380 passengers. Its most distinguishing feature is the two turbofan engines mounted on underwing pylons and a...
airplane converted into a mobile field hospital, he performed more than 1,000 charitable eye operations in more than 60 different countries, during more than 100 separate surgical missions. Taylor also provided on-site training for local doctors in cornea, cataract and refractive procedures. For his efforts, he was honored with the Order of Jamaica
Order of Jamaica
The Order of Jamaica is the fourth of the five ranks in the Jamaican honours system. The Order was established in 1969, and is considered the equivalent of knighthood in the British honours system....
in 2005.
Taylor and his wife Beverly had two children: a daughter, Leanne, and a son, Gregory. He died unexpectedly on November 19, 2005, as the result of an aortic aneurysm
Aneurysm
An aneurysm or aneurism is a localized, blood-filled balloon-like bulge in the wall of a blood vessel. Aneurysms can commonly occur in arteries at the base of the brain and an aortic aneurysm occurs in the main artery carrying blood from the left ventricle of the heart...
.