In Remembrance of Dr. Charles Edward Bird
Dr. Charles Edward Bird, Professor Emeritus
Division of Endocrinology, Queen’s University
1931–2024
The Canadian Endocrinology community lost a valued pioneer and mentor on March 21, 2024. Dr. Bird obtained his M.D.C.M from Queen's University in 1956 followed by postgraduate training in Kingston, then in Toronto with Dr. J.C. Laidlaw, and in Montreal with Dr. S. Solomon. He returned to the Department of Medicine at Queen's in 1965 as an MRC Scholar. Dr. Bird spent most of his career in clinical investigation, with his best friend and colleague, Dr. Albert Clark. Their research focused on the influence of hormones on breast and prostate cancers. This resulted in numerous publications in North American and European scientific journals. He was appointed Associate Dean of Research in the Queen’s Faculty of Medicine in 1974.
Dr. Bird’s teaching and patient care were strongly influenced by two endocrinologists, Dr. D.L. Wilson (former Dean of the Faculty of Medicine) and Dr. E.R. Yendt (former Head of the Department of Medicine). After leaving research work in the early 1980’s, Dr. Bird turned his focus to diabetes care. He was a master clinician and diagnostician. His assessments were detailed and insightful. He ran a clinic for many years for patients with diabetes and was instrumental in envisioning the creation of a Diabetes Education Centre in Kingston (originally at the Kingston General Hospital and later relocated to Hotel Dieu Hospital). He was also a strong supporter of Diabetes Canada and assisted in their fund-raising activities and public awareness with monthly evening education events.
Dr. Bird was a wonderful colleague and played a key role in the expansion of the Division of Endocrinology at Queen’s with the recruitment of Dr.’s Bob Hudson (Andrology) and Robyn Houlden (Diabetes). His passion for Endocrinology and clinical research shone through in his lectures and bedside teaching. He helped establish a conjoint training program in Endocrinology with Queen’s and the University of Ottawa. As a testament to his excellence in education, he was chosen by the graduating class of medical students as the 1991 recipient of the W. F. Connell Award for excellence in medical teaching. He was appointed as Emeritus Professor of Medicine in 1996. He inspired many trainees to pursue the fields of Clinical Investigation and Endocrinology and will be missed by many colleagues and former patients.
