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Dr. Bernard Langer, known as an icon of Canadian surgery and as an outstanding leader as chair of the ������Ƶ’s department of surgery in what is now the Temerty Faculty of Medicine, is being remembered as a visionary physician, scholar and educator.

In an obit published in , fellow physician John H. Dirks writes that Langer – who died on Feb. 23 at age 89 – was a pioneer in liver, biliary and pancreatic surgery, performing the first liver transplant in Toronto at University of Health Network in 1986.

Langer, who received his medical degree from U of T in 1956, was appointed R.S. McLaughlin Chair of the department of surgery as well chair of the division of general surgery in 1982. His leadership “made a huge mark on surgery in Toronto and Canada,” writes Dirks. In 1985, Langer started U of T’s (SSTP) in the department of surgery. The program provides research training for surgical residents who wish to pursue a career in academic surgery.

“This training model was widely emulated in clinical departments across Canada and worldwide,” Dr. David Naylor, a U of T president emeritus, is quoted as saying in the article. “It took vision and courage to see this through, but Bernie Langer had both traits in abundance. A brilliant and gifted leader, the Department of Surgery he helped build is, today, one of the best in the world.”