In Memoriam: Bernadette Curry, Cumming School of Medicine

The Cumming School of Medicine is mourning the loss of Professor Emerita Dr. Bernadette Curry, MD, a founding presence within the medical school. She passed away Sept. 23 at the age of 83.

Originally from Scotland, Curry arrived in Calgary in the summer of 1972 as the new medical school in southern Alberta was just a few years old. She accepted a full-time position in the Department of Pathology with clinical responsibilities in what is now the Foothills Medical Centre.

Curry developed an interest in neuropathology — the study of disease of the nervous system tissue — and left to study the emerging field in Toronto for two years. She returned in 1980, establishing the first neuropathology lab in southern Alberta.

Curry was a natural leader and generous volunteer, participating on Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada committees and the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Alberta Advisory Committee on Laboratory Accreditation and Quality Control. She was a member of the Alberta Society of Laboratory Physicians executive for several years, including a five-year term as president.

Appointed director of the Anatomic Pathology Residency Training Program, Curry helped develop the University of Calgary’s neuropathology training program and was head of Neuropathology until her retirement in June 2007. Following retirement, Curry turned her focus to addressing global education and health-care challenges, supporting initiatives such as the Calgary Centre for Global Community and People For Progress Foundation.

A memorial ceremony for Curry will take place Oct. 14 at 1 p.m. It can be viewed live or on replay here.