Dr. Sydney Segal was a Canadian clinician, medical researcher, teacher and humanist whose interests extended beyond medicine into ethics, social welfare and the administration of justice for children.

His pioneering work in the then-emerging field of neonatology is impressive. Among his contributions: he invented the first effective apparatus to substitute mechanical for natural breathing in infants with respiratory failure; he established the first intensive care nursery in Canada; and he was instrumental in the establishment of British Columbia’s infant transport system which has been copied world-wide.

Dr. Segal was among the earliest physicians to dedicate themselves to cystic fibrosis and Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, establishing local parent support groups. One of his voluntary community activities was his continuing service in the direct counselling of bereaved parents.

His ground-breaking work in the treatment of infants born to drug-dependent mothers provided a great contribution to the welfare of those who enter this world with serious problems, through no fault of their own.

Sydney Segal’s dedication and innovations in the field of children’s health have been widely recognized with many honours and awards, including the Order of Canada.