Pioneer in Nephrology leaves lasting impact

Dr. Shimizu retired at the end of 2009 after a distinguished career serving kidney disease patients in Niagara and Hamilton

Dr. Art Shimizu’s contributions as a pioneer in the field of Nephrology in Canada will be long remembered with the creation of an award that will be granted annually to a Niagara medical student interested in this area of medicine. Dr. Shimizu retired at the end of 2009 after a distinguished career serving kidney disease patients in Niagara and Hamilton.

“Dr. Shimizu is one of the great figures in Canadian medicine,” says Jane Cornelius, Clinical Manager of the Nephrology Program. “His accomplishments are too plentiful to list, but certainly one of his greatest achievements is the creation of the Canadian Renal Failure Registry in 1972, which is still in use today.”

All dialysis patients are registered with the Registry, which tracks and analyses important patient information. This information is used in many ways, including helping health providers around the country make decisions on patients’ care and identify areas to invest resources to advance care.

Colleagues, family members and friends marked Dr. Shimizu’s retirement with a special party Sunday, January 10, when the award was announced.

“Dr. Shimizu would always take a moment to teach and explain issues to patients, nurses and colleagues,” says Jane. “The Nephrology Team wanted to acknowledge his extraordinary achievements and commitment to learning.

“So instead of a traditional retirement present, the Nephrology Program, together with the St. Catharines General Hospital Foundation, created the Dr. Art Shimizu Award.”

This recognition award will be given annually to a medical student from the Niagara Campus of the McMaster University Michael G. DeGroote School of Medicine. Recipients will display a commitment to excellence and an interest in Nephrology. It is hoped students who are granted the award can emulate Dr. Shimizu’s dedication and commitment to the community and the field of medicine.

Dr. Shimizu’s colleagues in the Nephrology Program have raised $2,500 so far and plan to continue fundraising. Donations can be made to St. Catharines General Hospital Foundation. «