Today, we celebrate the 101st birthday of Dr. Gilles Bertrand, a pioneer in Canadian neurosurgery whose legacy continues to shape the field.
Born in Montreal, Dr. Bertrand obtained his medical degree from Université de Montréal in 1949 at just 20 years old. After medical school, he pursued neurology studies with Raymond Garcin at La Salpêtrière in Paris, where he also earned a master’s degree from the Faculty of Medicine at the Université de Paris. Upon returning from an internship in Ohio, he began his residency at The Neuro under Dr. Wilder Penfield, becoming his final resident.
Dr. Bertrand dedicated much of his clinical work to the treatment of spinal conditions, especially lesions at the craniovertebral junction. A pioneer in the stereotactic treatment of movement disorders, he was among the first to perform single-unit recordings of the human thalamus in awake patients undergoing surgery for Parkinson’s disease. Together with Chris Thompson, he also introduced computers into the operating room, revolutionizing stereotactic surgery.
“As a resident, I learned from Dr. Bertrand a deep respect for patients and for the surgical environment. He ensured impeccable follow-up care, and his reputation extended far beyond the walls of the hospital. He was a master surgeon, particularly in treating spinal cord disorders and Parkinson’s disease,” shares Dr. Leblanc, a former resident and colleague of Dr. Bertrand.
He was named Professor of Neurosurgery at McGill University in 1971 and served as Neurosurgeon-in-Chief at The Neuro from 1972 until 1999. He also played a vital role in advancing graduate education in Canada, serving as Director of McGill’s Neurosurgical Postgraduate Training Program.
In recognition of his contributions, Dr. Bertrand was named an Officer of the Order of Canada in 1988. He was also awarded the Médaille du Lieutenant-Gouverneur in 1949 and the Canadian Centennial Medal in 1992.
Joyeux anniversaire, Dr. Bertrand, et merci pour une vie de dévouement et d’excellence.
