Health and wellness

New book details storied history of UM’s pediatrics department

University of Manitoba Department of Pediatrics and Child Health: A History highlights contributions, accomplishments.

Black and white photo of an old hospital. Kids sleep in metal cribs and nurses hold children.
Estimated Read Time:
3 minutes
A convalescent ward at the Children's Hospital in Winnipeg during the 1920s. [Photo: HSC Archives]
A convalescent ward at the Children's Hospital in Winnipeg during the 1920s. [Photo: HSC Archives]
Estimated Read Time:
3 minutes
By

Matthew Kruchak

A recently printed hardcover delves into the rich history of children’s health in Manitoba and the physicians who made a difference in the lives of countless kids and their families across the province and beyond.

The University of Manitoba Department of Pediatrics and Child Health: A History was written by award-winning author and historian Allan Levine. The book traces the evolution of the department, with roots as a small 20-bed pediatric ward at the Winnipeg General Hospital in early 1900s to a unit with more than 170 faculty members dedicated to research and training future pediatricians.

Black and white photo of a large wooden house.
Black and white photo. A child sits in a chair an another one sits in a crib.
Photo 1: Winnipeg's first Children's Hospital in Point Douglas. Photo 2: The Children's Hospital infant ward in the 1940s. [Photos: HSC Archives]

Dr. Patricia Birk, head of the department of pediatrics and child health at the Max Rady College of Medicine, said the book is richly written and is a chronical of the department’s history in an authentic way.  

“Allan has interviewed many of the leaders who helped shape this department,” Birk said. “He captured not only the milestones, but also the people, the decisions and the values that brought us to where we are today.”

Levine said the book was like writing a history of child health care in Manitoba.

“It’s so vast,” he said. “I did not know how many subsections there were. Every time I completed an interview I learned of another subsection. I was most impressed by these brilliant people who do amazing research, and they’re very dedicated and devoted.”

This isn’t Levine’s first foray into the history of a department at the Max Rady College of Medicine. He’s previously been contracted to write books on the histories of the department of anesthesiology, perioperative and pain medicine; the department of radiology; and the department of obstetrics, gynecology and reproductive sciences.

Cover of book called The University of Manitoba Department of Pediatrics and Child Health: A History by Allan Levine.
The book includes chapters called The Subspecialists, The Power of Medical Research and Challenges in a Pivotal Time.

A storied history

Featured prominently in the chapter on northern medicine is Dr. Brian Postl, professor emeritus and dean emeritus of the Max Rady College of Medicine and Rady Faculty of Health Sciences. He said the development of the department is ongoing, with the enormous growth in faculty, solid research and a continuing contribution to education.

“In fact, like childhood, we develop,” said Postl, who wrote the book’s forward. “So, I think these developments will really serve the future well and children well. We have a treasure here [the department] as we have a treasured book, and we should learn from our history."

Dr. Brian Postl and a child in an examination room.
Dr. Brian Postl

Several prominent UM faculty members featured in the book are research luminaries such as Canadian Medical Hall of Fame laureates Dr. Bruce Chown, Dr. Estelle Simons and Dr. Cheryl Rockman-Greenberg.

Chown, who was department head from 1949 to 1954, made an impact with his research that resulted in the prevention of the vast majority of potential Rh disease in Canada and other places around the world. Simons is renowned for her research on management of allergic diseases. And Rockman-Greenberg, who was department head from 2004 to 2014, focused her research on the screening of newborns for genetic disorders so symptoms could be detected before they appear.

A black and white photo of Dr. Bruce Chown, who wears a white coat and a bow tie in his lab.
Dr. Estelle Simons at a lectern. A sign on the lectern reads in French and English, The Canadian Medical Hall of Fame.
Portrait of Dr. Cheryl Rockman-Greenberg.
[Photos from left to right] Dr. Bruce Chown, Dr. Estelle Simons and Dr. Cheryl Rockman-Greenberg.

The accomplishments of Dr. Agnes Bishop are also highlighted in the book. At a time when the specialty was dominated by men, in 1985 she became the first woman pediatrics department head. In 2025, the department has 173 faculty members and 61 per cent are women.  

Chapters in the 256-page book include The Subspecialists, The Power of Medical Research and Challenges in a Pivotal Time.  

Into the future

Burke, who wrote the book’s afterward, said this history is a reminder that the department’s story is still being written. 

“We continue to confront health inequities, deepen our commitment to truth and reconciliation and address the increasingly complex needs of children and youth, and we do so, standing on the broad shoulders of those who came before us, who guided us by their dedication and inspired us by their vision,” she said.  

Learn more about the Department of Pediatrics and Child Health: 

Website

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