Who Is
W. Gifford-Jones, MD
Dr. Ken Walker (who writes under the pseudonym of Dr. W. Gifford-Jones, MD) is a graduate of the University of Toronto and the Harvard Medical School. He trained in general surgery at Strong Memorial Hospital, University of Rochester, Montreal General Hospital, McGill University and in Gynecology at Harvard. His storied medical career began as a general practitioner, ship’s surgeon, and hotel doctor. For more than 40 years, he specialized in gynecology, devoting his practice to the formative issues of women’s health. In 1975, he launched his weekly medical column that has been published by national and local Canadian and U.S. newspapers. Today, the readership remains over seven million.
His advice contains a solid dose of common sense and he never sits on the fence with controversial issues. He is the author of nine books including, “The Healthy Barmaid”, his autobiography “You’re Going To Do What?”, “What I Learned as a Medical Journalist”, and his latest book, “90+ How I Got There!”.
Many years ago, he was successful in a fight to legalize heroin to help ease the pain of terminal cancer patients. His foundation at that time donated $500,000 to establish the Gifford-Jones Professorship in Pain Control and Palliative Care at the University of Toronto Medical School. At 93 years of age he rappelled from the top of Toronto’s City Hall (30 stories) to raise funds for children with a life-threatening disease through the Make-a-Wish Foundation. His hobby is trap shooting.
He is married to Susan and has four children and twelve grandchildren.
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Health Tips
A New Book by Dr. W. Gifford-Jones
November 17, 2024
We could not be happier to let you know, there's a new book from W. Gifford-Jones, MD. Yes, that's right. Don't let age slow you down, he says. A new, advanced "forever formula" in his...
Read on and get more Medical Tips... →Alternate Treatments, Cardiovascular, Medicine
Inflammation Markers Are Tools in Assessing Cardiac Risk
November 16, 2024
Inflammation is generally the indication of a health problem. But new research suggests we think differently about inflammation, especially in relation to heart disease and the prevention of atherosclerosis (thickening or hardening of the arteries)....
Read Article →Medicine
Pity the Overworked Family Doctor
November 9, 2024
Everyone knows, or should know, about the many problems facing your overworked family doctor. In North America, it’s common knowledge that large numbers of individuals and families do not have one. They are a scarce...
Read Article →Philosophy
Politicians Have the Brains of Amphioxus
November 2, 2024
Years ago, about people who were not too bright, we’d say, “They don’t have the brains of Amphioxus.” It’s a tiny fish with no intelligence. Today, more North Americans face the possibility of developing Alzheimer’s...
Read Article →W. Gifford-Jones, MD
Tells It Like It Is
“You’re Going To Do What?”
How is such a busy, professional, well-traveled doctor and writer able to extol great advice at 90+? By leading a healthful, intentional life, and by applying his knowledge and common-sense approach — gained from years of research — to his own daily routines. Journey with Dr. W. Gifford-Jones through the remarkable career as a hotel doctor, ship’s surgeon, family physician, surgical specialist, syndicated medical journalist, and maverick. Along the way, learn the “do’s and don’ts” of reaching the age of wisdom.
W. Gifford-Jones, MD: 90+ and going strong.
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