Dr John Duke Olav Kerr

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Biography of Dr John Duke Olav Kerr

Dr John Duke Olav Kerr, the prominent teaching cardiac physician, studied Medicine at the University of Glasgow between 1929 and 1934.

During his time at the university John Duke Olav Kerr was an outstanding student. In his first year he won certificates in Botany and Medical Physics. During his second year Kerr won certificates in Anatomy and Physiology, winning a first class certificate in the latter. In his third professional courses he won certificates for Materia Medica and Pathology, studying under Ralph Stockman in the former. During his final years Kerr continued to excel and won prizes and certificates in almost all of his courses. He did particularly well in his medical courses, winning a medal in one. Kerr graduated MBChB with Honours in 1934.

Dr John Duke Olav Kerr went on to become a specialist in Cardiology, a relatively new discipline in his day, and was an active member of the British Cardiac Society. However it will be his achievements as a teacher for which he will be remembered. Known for his enthusiasm for all aspects of being a doctor, he inspired many doctors who are still practising today. He demonstrated to his students that treatment of an illness included caring for the patient and their family.

In 1946 he was made Fellow of the Royal Faculty of Physicians and Surgeons and Member of the Royal College of Physicians. From 1956 he expanded the Department of electrocardiography at the Western Infirmary. In 1962 he became Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians Glasgow and in the following year Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians. In 1971 he was made Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh.

Along with his wife, he established the Dr & Mrs J D Olav Kerr Charitable Trust which would fund the establishment of the Dr Olav Kerr Chair in Palliative Medicine in 1995. The Olav Kerr Prize in Clinical Medicine was also established, in 1974, with a cheque contributed by friends and colleagues of Dr Olav Kerr on his retirement.

Summary

Dr John Duke Olav Kerr
Died 1987.
University Link: GU Degree: MB ChB, 1934;
Occupation categories: physicians
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Record last updated: 14th Feb 2017