Giving Back: Retired Faculty Member Endows New OBGYN Professorship

Dr. Samuel Librach (MD’52), may never have known his grandmothers during their lifetimes, but he credits them for helping inspire his trailblazing career in obstetrics and gynaecology.

“Both my mother’s mother and father’s mother died during, or as a direct result of, childbirth,” he says. “Care in the small towns in Poland in which they lived at that time simply wasn’t well-developed. While I always wanted to pursue medicine, I think my grandmothers’ experiences definitely shaped my decision to work in this field.”

It’s no surprise then that, when reflecting on his more than five decades as one of Toronto’s leading obstetricians and gynaecologists and University of Toronto professor, Samuel is most proud of the role he played in preventing maternal deaths.

“I was chief of service for obstetrics and gynaecology at The Doctor’s Hospital for more than 19 years. During that time, not a single woman died in childbirth. We had deaths before, and the hospital had them after — but there was not one under my care.”

When asked about Samuel’s impact on their shared field, his son, Dr. Clifford Librach (MD’83) is quick to point out his father’s track record of innovation and dedication as a medical educator.

According to Clifford, who followed in his dad’s footsteps and now serves as a professor of reproductive endocrinology and infertility at U of T, Samuel helped develop a specialized laparoscopic instrument and also pioneered the use of the now-standard Pfannenstiel incision (or “bikini cut”) for caesarean section births in Toronto.  

“My dad was such a talented gynecologic surgeon — probably one of the best in the entire city when he practiced — and a gifted teacher,” Clifford says. “It was a testament to him and his skill that he was the one colleagues would call in when they had a particularly challenging case. When you were in trouble, your first call was to Sam Librach for help.”

Now, true to that spirit of innovation and commitment to helping his peers, Samuel and his wife Evelyn have made a generous gift to the University to establish a new Early-Career Professorship in Obstetrics and Gynaecology named in their honour.

“While my dad was a clinician through and through, he thinks research is amazing and can see its benefit on future generations of practitioners,” says Clifford. “This new endowment will help develop new clinician-scientists just starting off in the field, ensuring they have the resources and support they need to launch successful careers.”

Clifford also notes the importance of the fund’s name in recognizing his mother’s central role in his father’s work.

“My mom gave up her own university and career ambitions to support my dad during his training,” he says. “When he was a resident, earning hardly anything, she worked two jobs selling jewelry and bookkeeping. Later, she completed her Bachelor of Arts at U of T and put her natural business skills to work by investing in real estate. She’s a big part of why he was able to have the career he did, and why they are able to make this gift today.”

Samuel also sees their contribution as a way for his career to come full circle — giving back to the institution where he had his start.

“When I was a student at the University of Toronto, I received money for a bursary,” he says. “It was several thousand dollars and was a big help. I always thought someday I like to give back to U of T and I guess this is a good time to do so.”