Doceo ergo sum: mentoring surgeons

The Canadian Journal of Surgery (CJS) mourns the recent deaths of 3 surgical masters by celebrating their lives as teachers. Jean Couture (1924–2016) was chairman of the department of surgery at Université Laval, where he mentored generations of surgeons.1 Dr. Couture led and taught nationally through organizations such as the Canadian Association of General Surgeons and the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, which he served in many capacities, including as president of both organizations. In the 1990s, when the future of CJS was uncertain, he intervened to bring in the support, financial and academic, of specialty societies. Don Wilson (1917–2017), chairman of the Department of Surgery at the University of Toronto, was also a president of the Royal College. Dr. Wilson was a pioneer of bioethics in Canada, campaigning for its integration into every aspect of specialty training. Tom McLarty (1925–2017) was neither chairman of a department nor president of a national organization, but he inspired love and gratitude among generations of surgeons in southwestern Ontario. His gentle “let me show you how to do that” approach fostered technical excellence and an open mind to innovation among his devoted followers