Dr. Walter Hannah has dedicated over thirty years to the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Faculty of Medicine at the University of Toronto. He has served as teacher, mentor, practitioner and leader, helping to guide careers of countless medical students, residents and faculty while tirelessly striving to enhance the quality of the institution in which they pursued their education.

Dr. Hannah was an exemplary teacher who devoted most of his academic time to that endeavor. A great many practicing Obstetricians have benefited from his tutelage. A superb administrator, Dr. Hannah served as Chairman of the Department from 1981 to 1992. Other positions held by Walter Hannah, namely, Chief of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at Women’s College Hospital (1966-1986), and Chief of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at the Toronto General Hospital (1990-1992), attest to his leadership skills. In addition, he established the Genesis Research Foundation in 1983 and served with distinction as Founding Chair until 1992.

During his time at the University of Toronto, Dr. Hannah was a strong advocate for basic and clinical research. This is perhaps best exemplified by his recruitment of basic scientists and by his active involvement in large multicentre randomized controlled trials. This vision has helped to make the University of Toronto a world leader in obstetrical and gynaecological research that has had an impact on clinical practice world-wide.

Walter Hannah’s career exemplifies the pursuit of professional excellence. His record speaks for itself in that regard. What is more remarkable, however, is that he was able to create working and learning environments in which others around him could also achieve excellence in their professional careers.