John Robert Evans
Encyclopedia
John Robert Evans, is a Canadian
pediatrician, academic, businessperson, and civic leader.
After graduating from the University of Toronto Schools
, he received his medical degree from the University of Toronto
in 1952 and was a Rhodes Scholar. He received his Doctoral degree specializing in internal medicine
and cardiology
at Oxford University in 1955.
He was the founding dean of the Faculty of Medicine (now the McMaster Faculty of Health Sciences
) and then vice-president of Health Services at McMaster University
from 1965 to 1972. From 1972 to 1978 he was President of the University of Toronto
. From 1979 to 1983, he served as founding Director of the Population, Health and Nutrition Department of the World Bank
in Washington, D.C.
In a 1978 by-election, Evans ran for a seat in the House of Commons
as a Liberal
in the Toronto riding of Rosedale, but was defeated by former Toronto Mayor David Crombie.
Evans was a key player in the sale of the Canadian Connaught Laboratories to the French Sanofi-Aventis
.
He was the first Canadian to be elected chairman of the Rockefeller Foundation
from 1987 to 1995.
He is chairman of Allelix Biopharmaceuticals Inc., Torstar
Corporation, Alcan
Aluminum Ltd. (1995–2002), the Canada Foundation for Innovation and the Walter and Duncan Gordon Charitable Foundation. He is chairman and helped create the MaRS Discovery District
in Toronto.
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
pediatrician, academic, businessperson, and civic leader.
After graduating from the University of Toronto Schools
University of Toronto Schools
The University of Toronto Schools is an independent secondary day school affiliated with the University of Toronto in Toronto, Ontario, Canada...
, he received his medical degree from the University of Toronto
University of Toronto
The University of Toronto is a public research university in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, situated on the grounds that surround Queen's Park. It was founded by royal charter in 1827 as King's College, the first institution of higher learning in Upper Canada...
in 1952 and was a Rhodes Scholar. He received his Doctoral degree specializing in internal medicine
Internal medicine
Internal medicine is the medical specialty dealing with the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of adult diseases. Physicians specializing in internal medicine are called internists. They are especially skilled in the management of patients who have undifferentiated or multi-system disease processes...
and cardiology
Cardiology
Cardiology is a medical specialty dealing with disorders of the heart . The field includes diagnosis and treatment of congenital heart defects, coronary artery disease, heart failure, valvular heart disease and electrophysiology...
at Oxford University in 1955.
He was the founding dean of the Faculty of Medicine (now the McMaster Faculty of Health Sciences
McMaster Faculty of Health Sciences
The McMaster Faculty of Health Sciences is one of six faculties at McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. The faculty was established in 1974 to oversee the School of Nursing, the School of Medicine, and Graduate programs in health sciences...
) and then vice-president of Health Services at McMaster University
McMaster University
McMaster University is a public research university whose main campus is located in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. The main campus is located on of land in the residential neighbourhood of Westdale, adjacent to Hamilton's Royal Botanical Gardens...
from 1965 to 1972. From 1972 to 1978 he was President of the University of Toronto
University of Toronto
The University of Toronto is a public research university in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, situated on the grounds that surround Queen's Park. It was founded by royal charter in 1827 as King's College, the first institution of higher learning in Upper Canada...
. From 1979 to 1983, he served as founding Director of the Population, Health and Nutrition Department of the World Bank
World Bank
The World Bank is an international financial institution that provides loans to developing countries for capital programmes.The World Bank's official goal is the reduction of poverty...
in Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
In a 1978 by-election, Evans ran for a seat in the House of Commons
Canadian House of Commons
The House of Commons of Canada is a component of the Parliament of Canada, along with the Sovereign and the Senate. The House of Commons is a democratically elected body, consisting of 308 members known as Members of Parliament...
as a Liberal
Liberal Party of Canada
The Liberal Party of Canada , colloquially known as the Grits, is the oldest federally registered party in Canada. In the conventional political spectrum, the party sits between the centre and the centre-left. Historically the Liberal Party has positioned itself to the left of the Conservative...
in the Toronto riding of Rosedale, but was defeated by former Toronto Mayor David Crombie.
Evans was a key player in the sale of the Canadian Connaught Laboratories to the French Sanofi-Aventis
Sanofi-Aventis
Sanofi S.A. is a multinational pharmaceutical company headquartered in Paris, France, the world's fourth-largest by prescription sales. Sanofi engages in the research and development, manufacturing and marketing of pharmaceutical products for sale principally in the prescription market, but the...
.
He was the first Canadian to be elected chairman of the Rockefeller Foundation
Rockefeller Foundation
The Rockefeller Foundation is a prominent philanthropic organization and private foundation based at 420 Fifth Avenue, New York City. The preeminent institution established by the six-generation Rockefeller family, it was founded by John D. Rockefeller , along with his son John D. Rockefeller, Jr...
from 1987 to 1995.
He is chairman of Allelix Biopharmaceuticals Inc., Torstar
Torstar
Torstar Corporation is an independently-owned Canadian broadly based media company that is named after its principal holding, the Toronto Star daily newspaper....
Corporation, Alcan
Alcan
Rio Tinto Alcan Inc. is a Canadian company based in Montreal. It was created on November 15, 2007 as the result of the merger between Rio Tinto PLC's Canadian subsidiary, Rio Tinto Canada Holding Inc., and Canadian company Alcan Inc. On the same date, Alcan Inc. was renamed Rio Tinto Alcan Inc..Rio...
Aluminum Ltd. (1995–2002), the Canada Foundation for Innovation and the Walter and Duncan Gordon Charitable Foundation. He is chairman and helped create the MaRS Discovery District
MaRS Discovery District
MaRS Discovery District is a not-for-profit corporation founded in Toronto in 2000. Its stated goal is to commercialize publicly funded medical research with the help of local private enterprises and as such is a public-private partnership....
in Toronto.
Honours
- 2005 – He was inducted into the Canadian Business Hall of FameCanadian Business Hall of FameThe Canadian Business Hall of Fame honours "Canada's most distinguished business leaders", selected by an independent panel representing Canadian business, academic and media institutions....
. - 2000 – He was inducted into the Canadian Medical Hall of FameCanadian Medical Hall of FameThe Canadian Medical Hall of Fame is a Canadian charitable organization, founded in 1994, that honours Canadians who have contributed to the understanding of disease and improving the health of people. It has a museum in London, Ontario, and has an annual induction ceremony.-2012:*Terry Fox*John...
. - 1991 – He was made a member of the Order of OntarioOrder of OntarioThe Order of Ontario is the most prestigious official honour in the Canadian province of Ontario. Instituted in 1986 by Lieutenant Governor Lincoln Alexander, on the advice of the Cabinet under Premier David Peterson, the civilian order is administered by the Governor-in-Council and is intended to...
. - 1978 – He was made a Companion of the Order of CanadaOrder of CanadaThe Order of Canada is a Canadian national order, admission into which is, within the system of orders, decorations, and medals of Canada, the second highest honour for merit...
.