The History of Tavistock’s family doctors and the College of Family Physicians of Canada

By Gary West

Many years ago, members of Tavistock’s Medical Board – now known as Tavistock Community Health Inc. (TCHI) – worked hand in hand with the community’s doctors to maintain the local medical facility and equipment while caring for their patients.

At that time, Anne Gregory served as chair of the medical board. During a recent cleanup at the Tavistock clinic, a letter from former board chair Anne Gregory’s files was rediscovered – written by the late Dr. Bruce Halliday. The letter highlights the remarkable history of Tavistock’s doctors, who contributed not only to their community but also to provincial and national health care.

The following is the letter from Dr. Halliday, presented in its entirety:

“Over the years, Tavistock doctors have been involved in various community activities, some of which developed into commitments at the provincial and federal levels.

Back in the first half of the 20th century, doctors in rural areas and non-specialists in urban centres were known as ‘general practitioners.’

Changes began to occur in the early 1950s, led in large part by a general practitioner from Lucknow, Ont., named Dr. Victor Johnston. Although the Canadian Medical Association (CMA) and Ontario Medical Association (OMA) existed at that time, Dr. Johnston felt there should be a College of General Practitioners of Canada, with provincial chapters, since healthcare was largely a provincial responsibility.

With the assistance of Tavistock’s Dr. Harold Taylor in the Stratford area, Dr. Johnston planned a meeting of local general practitioners. It was held in the basement of the nurses’ residence at Stratford General Hospital one evening in late 1953 or early 1954.

There was general agreement at that meeting that the idea was worth pursuing, and similar support was found across the country. A national meeting was then held in Vancouver in 1954, which Dr. Taylor attended. That became the founding meeting of the College of General Practice of Canada.

It was agreed that general practitioners in each province could form their own chapters. After a few years, Dr. Taylor became the fourth president of the Ontario Chapter in 1959-60.

As my mentor, Dr. Taylor encouraged me to get involved with the Ontario Chapter, where I eventually served as president in 1966-67. Around that time, the name was changed to the College of Family Physicians of Canada and the Ontario College of Family Physicians.

After my work with the Ontario Chapter, I joined the board of directors of the national college, later serving as chair and, in 1971-72, as president of the College of Family Physicians of Canada.

As if two Tavistock doctors weren’t enough, Dr. Ken Hook was also persuaded to get involved in the Ontario College, where he became president in 2000-01.

So, three presidents of the Ontario College of Family Physicians – and its predecessor – over a span of about 30 years is quite an accomplishment for a small village like Tavistock, which at the time had only four to six physicians.

These same doctors, and others from Tavistock, have also served in roles within the Ontario Medical Association, on hospital committees and boards in Perth County and Stratford, and even in parliament.

Dr. J.P. Rankin practised in Tavistock from 1879 to 1888 before moving to Stratford. He later served as MP for Perth-Wellington from 1908 to 1911 and again from 1921 to 1925, before being named a senator in 1925, serving until 1934.

Dr. Michael Steele practised in Tavistock for 34 years and served as MP for South Perth from 1911 to 1921.

I, myself, practised in Tavistock from 1952 to 1974, before being elected member of parliament for Oxford, a position I held from 1974 to 1993.

Many Tavistock doctors have made major contributions to the community, serving on school boards, municipal councils and volunteer organizations. For example, Dr. Paul Bartlett devoted countless hours, with help from Gazette editor Bill Glading and others, to recording Tavistock’s history in his 1996 book, Raising the Rafters.”

If Dr. Halliday were alive today, he would no doubt encourage residents seeking family medical care to support Tavistock Community Health Inc. in its ongoing fundraising efforts to maintain a modern, well-equipped medical centre in the village.