William R. N. Lindsay, a leader in the plastic surgeon community, passed away on November 3 at the age of 87.
A graduate of the University of Alberta in 1949, Lindsay pursued his post-graduate training in Toronto and the UK. He became the first Chief of the Division of Plastic Surgery at the Wellesley Hospital in 1966 and was also one of the pioneers in trans-gender surgery. With Drs. Leith Douglas and Ross Tilley, Lindsay established a regional burn centre at the Wellesley Hospital.
“Under Dr. Lindsay’s guidance, the Wellesley rotation was one of the best opportunities for surgical residents to access great pathology and fascinating cases,” said Christopher R. Forrest, Chair of the Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery.
Lindsay was one of the founding members of MANUS Canada and under his direction developed the Wellesley Hospital Aesthetic Surgery Symposium. This event continues as the U of T Annual Aesthetic Plastic Surgery Symposium, where a lecture named in honor of Lindsay is delivered yearly. He also served as President of the Canadian Society of Plastic Surgery in 1972.
“Dr. Lindsay was held in very high esteem by the plastic surgery community. He helped train five generations of plastic surgeons at U of T over his career,” said Dimitri Anastakis, a Professor of Surgery and Vice Dean, Continuing Professional Development.
Lindsay is survived by his wife Norma Jean (MacLennan) and children Mary, Don, Norma, Margie, Janie, and Pattie and was the proud grandfather of Julia, Charlotte, and Sienna (Don), Dylan (Norma), Ryan and Adam (Margie), and Stephen (Pattie).
“Dr. Lindsay was the first plastic surgeon I met as a first-year medical student during an elective at the Wellesley. He made me feel incredibly important as he put me to work removing sutures on his post-op patients,” said Forrest. “On behalf of the Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, I would like to extend its deepest condolences and sympathies to Mrs. Lindsay and her family.”
