Each academic year culminates in the Marlow Lecture which is rooted in history that dates back to the founding of the organization. We invite a speaker who has made significant contributions to the field of Obstetrics & Gynaecology to present the Marlow Lecture to the society. This is a black tie affair which brings together our society to celebrate leaders in our field.
Dr. Frederick W. Marlow, President of the Academy of Medicine, Toronto, 1928-29, died August 22nd, 1936. He bequeathed to the Academy one-third of the residue of his estate if “in the opinion of his Trustees the Academy was the leading scientific and education organization of graduate medical profession of Toronto at that time”. Out of this bequest, amounting to approximately $96,000, the sum of $6,000 was set aside to provide an honorarium and traveling expenses for a speaker each year to give a Marlow Lecture. This is usually held in March and arranged by the Section of Obstetrics and Gynaecology.
He was a native of Blackstock, Ontario, and attended Port Perry High School and, later, Trinity University Medical School, from which he graduated with honours in 1900. After graduating, he served as house surgeon at St. Michael’s Hospital for one year before going abroad. Two years were spent in post-graduate study in England where he became a Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons in 1903.
Dr. Marlow was always greatly interested in military organization, having joined the Canadian Army Medical Corps at the time of its formation in 1900. He served in all ranks from Private to Colonel. During the World War, he was A.D.M.S., M.D., No. 2, and later an inspecting officer.
On his return from post-graduate study he was appointed to the staff of the Toronto General Hospital and to that of the University of Toronto, where he became Associate Professor of Gynaecology, a position which he held at the time of his death. During the whole period of his active practice, he was a frequent contributor to medical literature.
His varied interests included organized medicine. He served the Academy in many capacities and in 1928 was accorded the honour of its presidency, an office that he had already held in the Ontario Medical Association. At all times his friendly counsel was greatly appreciated by those whit whom he was associated. His younger associates always had assurance that they could count on his support in any time of difficulty.
| Lecture | Topic |
|---|---|
| 1st Annual Marlow Lecture March 3, 1953 |
“The integration of the new with the old” Benjamin P. Watson, M.D. Former Professor Columbia University and former Chief of Staff, Presbyterian Hospital, New York |
| 2nd Annual Marlow Lecture March 23, 1954 |
“The terminal care of the gynecological cancer patient” Norman F. Miller, M.D., Professor of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor |
| 3rd Annual Marlow Lecture March 15, 1955 |
“Opportunity in the treatment of cancer:” Herbert E. Schmitz M.C., F.S., Sc.D., F.A.C.S., Director of Obstetrics and Gynaecology The Henry Schmitz Medical Foundation, Chicago, Ill. |
| 4th Annual Marlow Lecture March 21, 1956 |
“Carcinoma of the uterus; cervical and endometrial – a study in contrasts” A.T. Hertig, B.S., M.D., Harvard Medical School, Boston, Mass. |
| 5th Annual Marlow Lecture March 14, 1957 |
“Pelvic endometriosis, pathological, experimental and clinical” Richard W. Telinde, M.D., Professor of Gynaecology Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, MD., |
| 6th Annual Marlow Lecture March 27, 1958 |
“Pelvic capacity and its practical application” W.F. Mengert, M.D. Professor of Obstetrics and Gynaecology University of Illinois, Chicago, Ill. |
| 7th Annual Marlow Lecture March 18, 1959 |
“The creation of error” Alan C. Barnes, M.D. Professor of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH |
| 8th Annual Marlow Lecture March 15, 1960 |
“The future problems of Medicine” H.B.Atlee, M.D., F.R.C.S., F.I.C.S. Professor Emeritus, Obstetrics and Gynaecology Halifax, NS |
| 9th Annual Marlow Lecture March 15, 1961 |
“The etiology of cerebral palsy” Nicholson J. Eastman, M.D., Professor Emeritus, Department of Obstetrics, Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, MD |
| 10th Annual Marlow Lecture March 15, 1962 |
“Frederick Marlow and the development of modern treatment of cancer of the cervix” W.G., Cosbie, F.R.C.S.(C.), F.A.C.O.G., Medical Director, Ontario Cancer Foundation and Consulting Gynecologist and Obstetrician at Toronto General Hospital |
| 11th Annual Marlow Lecture March 11, 1963 |
“Pregnancy and labor following caesarean section: H. Gordon Douglas, M.D., C.M., Cornell University Medical College New York, NY |
| 12th Annual Marlow Lecture March 10, 1964 |
“The early surgeons of Quebec” Wilfred M. Caron Professor of Surgery Laval University, Quebec |
| 13th Annual Marlow Lecture March 18, 1965 |
“Anaerobic infections in obstetrics and Gynaecology” Beyard Carter, M.D., Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Duke University Medical Centre Durham, NC, USA |
| 14th Annual Marlow Lecture March 10, 1966 |
“Recent experiments in pharmacologic sympatholysis in pregnancy: George B. Maughan, M.D., F.A.C.S., F.A.C.PP.G., F.R.C.S.(C.) Obstetrician and Gynecologist-in-Chief Royal Victoria Hospital, Montreal, Que. |
| 15th Annual Marlow Lecture March 9, 1967 |
“The evolution and significance of pre-clinical carcinoma of the cervix: F.E. Bryans, M.D., F.R.C.S. (C.) Professor and Head, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology University of British Columbia, Vancouver, B.C. |
| 16th Annual Marlow Lecture March 14, 1968 |
“Medical frontiers, heroes and heritage” Clyde Randal, M.D., Professor and Chairman Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology The State University of New York, Buffalo, N.Y. |
| 17th Annual Marlow Lecture March 20, 1969 |
“Facts and fallacies of human sexual response: W.H. Masters Director of Reproductive Biology Research Foundation and Virginia Johnson Assistant Director St. Louis, MO |
| 18th Annual Marlow Lecture March 19, 1970 |
“Ecomorphology and urethrovesical function: C. Paul Hodkinson Chairman, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Henry Ford Hospital Detroit, MI |
| 19th Annual Marlow Lecture March 18, 1971 |
“Openings and closing” T.M. Roulston Professor and Chairman, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology The University of Manitoba Winnipeg, Manitoba |
| 20th Annual Marlow Lecture March 14, 1972 |
“Spontaneous abortion” Professeur Michel J. Berard Directeur du Department, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Montreal Montreal, QU |
| 21st Annual Marlow Lecture March 13, 1973 |
“Reproductive care – will it benefit from regionalization?” Dr. Carl Tupper Professor and Head Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Dalhousie University |
| 22nd Annual Marlow Lecture March 12, 1974 |
“Whither obstetrics and gynaecology?” Douglas E. Cannell, M.D. Professor Emeritus Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology University of Toronto |
| 23rd Annual Marlow Lecture March 11, 1975 |
“Full circle – uterine cancer: its problems and their solution” Sire John Stallworthy, Shotover Edge, Headington, Oxford, England |
| 24th Annual Marlow Lecture March 10, 1976 |
“Rejection phenomena in gynaecology – are we guilty?” R.A.H. Kinch, F.R.C.S.(C.) Obstetrician and Gynaecologist-in-Chief Montreal General Hospital Montreal, QU |
| 25th Annual Marlow Lecture March 15, 1977 |
“Obstetrical Care – 1977” Dr. E. Stewart Taylor Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology University of Colorado Medical Centre |
| 26th Annual Marlow Lecture March 7, 1978 |
“Gynecologic problems in old age” Maurice Caouette, M.D., F.R.C.S.(C.), F.A.C.O.G. Chief, Department of Gynaecology Hotel-Dieu de Quebec, Associate Professor – Laval University |
| 27th Annual Marlow Lecture April 10, 1979 |
“Morbidity and the cyclic disruption of homeostasis” T.B. MacLachlan, M.D., F.R.C.S.(C.), F.A.C.O.G. Professor, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology University Hospital Saskatoon, Saskatchewan |
| 28th Annual Marlow Lecture March 4, 1980 |
“Pregnancy complication by multiple fetuses – an obstetrical challenge” Dr. J. Pritchard, Gillette Professor of Obstetrics and Gynaecology University of Texas, Dallas, TX |
| 29th Annual Marlow Lecture March 3, 1981 |
“Diethysteilboestrol, (DES) – The current status of the exposed population” Dr. Arthur L. Herbst Chair, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology University of Chicago, Chicago, Ill |
| 30th Annual Marlow Lecture March 3, 1982 |
“Immunology of pregnancy and pregnancy wasteage” Dr. Alan Beer Professor and Chairman, Departments of Obstetrics and Gynaecology University of Michigan |
| 31st Annual Marlow Lecture February 23, 1983 |
“In-vitro fertilization – a view of the human reproductive process: Dr. Richard Marrs, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology University of Southern California School of Medicine Women’s Hospital, Los Angeles, CA |
| 32nd Annual Marlow Lecture March 27, 1984 |
“Vulvar dystrophy: Historical, clinical and investigative aspects” Dr. Eduard G. Friedrich Jr. Professor and Chairman Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology University of Florida, College of Medicine Gainesville, FL |
| 33rd Annual Marlow Lecture 1985 |
“Ultrasound” Dr. John Hobbins, Yale University |
| 34th Annual Marlow Lecture 1986 |
“Colposcopy: Dr. Rene Cartier Paris, France |
| 35th Annual Marlow Lecture 1987 |
“Fetal assessment: Dr. John Patrick Western University, London, ON |
| 36th Annual Marlow Lecture 1988 |
“The future in treatment of malignant disease” Dr. Phil DiSaia University of California Irvine, CA |
| 37th Annual Marlow Lecture 1989 |
“Active management of labour” Dr. Fred Frioletto Brigham & Women’s Hospital Boston, Mass |
| 38th Annual Marlow Lecture 1990 |
“A career with the oviduct” Dr. Victor Gomel University of British Columbia Vancouver, BC |
| 39th Annual Marlow Lecture 1991 |
“Electronic monitoring and the avoidance of infant brain damage” Dr. Mortimer Rosen Columbia University New York, NY |
| 40th Annual Marlow Lecture 1992 |
“Activin and inhibin in reproductive biology” Dr. Robert Jaffe University of California San Francisco, CA |
| 41st Annual Marlow Lecture 1993 |
“The pathophysiology of pregnancy – induced hypertension” Professor Ian A. Greer University of Glasgow Royal Infirmary Glasgow, Scotland |
| 42nd Annual Marlow Lecture 1994 |
“Upon the shoulders of giants” Professor Thomas Baskett Dalhousie University Halifax, NS |
| 43rd Annual Marlow Lecture 1995 |
“The future of screening for cervical neoplasia” Dr. Ralph Richart Professor of Pathology and Obstetrics and Gynaecology Director, Division of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Pathology The Sloane Hospital for Women Columbia University |
| 44th Annual Marlow Lecture 1996 |
“Obstetrical forceps, their past – present – future” Dr. J. Kenneth Milne Professor and Chairman Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology University of Western Ontario London, ON |
| 45th Annual Marlow Lecture 1997 |
“The management of hypertension in pregnancy – evidence based medicine” Dr. Michael deSwiet Professor, Queen Charlotte’s Hospital London, England |
| 46th Annual Marlow Lecture 1998 |
“Clinical management of endometrial cancer” Dr. Richard Boronow Clinical Professor of Gynaecology University of Mississippi Medical School |
| 47th Annual Marlow Lecture 1999 |
“Premature labor: Where have we come from? Where are we going?” Dr. Robert Goldenberg Professor of Gynaecology University of Alabama, Birmingham, Alabama |
| 48th Annual Marlow Lecture May 4, 2000 |
“The operating room of the 21st century – application of robotic technology” Dr. Tommaso Falcone Director of the Minimally Invasive Surgery Center The Cleveland Clinic Foundation Associate Professor Obstetrics and Gynecology Ohio State University |
| 49th Annual Marlow Lecture May 8, 2001 |
“The Winds of Change” Dr. Knox Ritchie Chairman and Professor, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, The University of Toronto Obstetrician and Gynaecologist-in-Chief, Mount Sinai Hospital – Toronto, ON |
| 50th Annual Marlow Lecture 2002 |
“Totally forgettable contraception by 2100” John Guillebaud, M.D.M F.R.C.S.(Ed), F.R.C.O.G., M.F.F.P. Director, Margaret Pyke Family Planning Center London, England |
| 51st Annual Marlow Lecture May 7,2003 |
“Mechanism of preterm labour” Professor John Challis, Scientific Director CIHR, Institute of Human Development Department of Physiology, Obstetrics and Gynaecology University of Toronto, Toronto, ON |
| 52nd Annual Marlow Lecture May 19, 2004 |
“What is the Maximum Success Rate with Modern Infertility Treatment?” Dr. John Collins, Professor Emeritus at McMaster University, Adjunct Professor at Dalhousie University |
| 53rd Annual Marlow Lecture May 10, 2005 |
“The Role of the Clinical Gynaecologists in the Evolution of the Sub-specialty of Gynecologic Oncology” Dr. Denny De Petrillo, director, Division of Gynaecology Oncology U of T and McMaster University |
| 54th Annual Marlow Lecture April 26, 2006 |
“Preventing the Transmission and Consequences of HSV” Dr. Zane Brown, Professor Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Seattle, Washington |
| 55th Annual Marlow Lecture April 24, 2007 |
“The Painful vulva: A Continuing Challenge”” Dr. Mel Petersiel, Obstetrician Gynaecologist (Colposcopy) North York General Hospital – Toronto Assoc. Professor University of Toronto Founder Physician of Genesis |
| 56th Annual Marlow Lecture May 14, 2008 |
“Caring for the African Woman. What Every Ob/Gyn Should Know” Dr. Jean Chamberlain Founder and Executive Director of Save the Mothers International. Assistant Professor in Ob/Gyn Co-director the McMaster International Women’s Health Program |
| 57th Annual Marlow Lecture April 28, 2009 |
“Cancer the Journey That Never Ends” Dr. David Popkin, Vice President Cancer Services, Saskatchewan Cancer Care Emeritus Professor of Gynaecology and Reproductive Sciences |
| 58th Annual Marlow Lecture April 29, 2010 |
“Reproductive Medicine in Canada: Retrospective” Dr. Albert Yuzpe Children & Women’s Health Centre of BC Emeritus Professor Univ. of Western Ontario |
| 59th Annual Marlow Lecture May 31, 2011 |
“Lessons Learned from FASTER and the ImplementationOf a National Quality Program for NT Screening in the US? Dr. Mary E. D’Alton Chair, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Director, Obstetrical and Gynaecological Services Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons |
| 60th Annual Marlow Lecture May 8, 2012 |
“Stem Cell Based Therapy: Where are we Really at? Dr. Alan Trouson President, California Institute for Regenerative Medicine, San Francisco, CA |
| 61st Annual Marlow Lecture May 14, 2013 |
“Improving Women and Children’s Health: A Tale of Two Cities” Dr. Alan Bocking Chair, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology University of Toronto |
| 62nd Annual Marlow Lecture April 9. 2014 |
“Urogynecology in Canada: Where did it come from? Where is it at? Where does it need to go? Dr. Harold Drutz Professor and Head, Section of Urogynecology Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, U of T |
| 63rd Annual Marlow Lecture April 28, 2015 |
“Publishing in an Academic Journal: Past, Present & Future.” Dr. Tim Rowe Associate Professor, UBC Department Of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Editor-in-Chief, Journal of Obstetrics And Gynaecology, Canada |
| 64th Annual Marlow Lecture May 3rd, 2016 |
“Menopausal Medicine: the Neglected Pillar of Gynaecology” Dr. Wendy Wolfman, Professor, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology University of Toronto Director, Menopausal Unit Mount Sinai Hospital – Toronto. |
| 65th Annual Marlow Lecture May 2nd, 2017 |
“Bipedalism and encephalization: the dawn of uterine fibroids” Dr. George Vilos, Professor, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Western University |
| 66th Annual Marlow Lecture April 17th, 2018 |
“Communities of Practice – How to move forward together to change health outcomes ” Dr. Jon Barrett MBBch, MD, FRCOG, FRCSC, Chief of Maternal Fetal Medicine at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of Toronto |
| 67th Annual Marlow Lecture April 30th, 2019 |
“Physician Heal Thyself” Dr. Paul Bernstein MD, FRCS(C), Professor Core Obstetrics & Gynaecology Mt. Sinai Hospital, University of Toronto |
| 68th Annual Marlow Lecture May 16th, 2023 |
“If I Knew Then What I Know Now ” Dr. Guylaine Lefebvre MD, FRCSC, Executive Director of Learning and Connecting at the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada |
| 69th Annual Marlow Lecture April 25th, 2024 |
“Lessons Learned from a career in Women’s Health…Successes and Failures.” Dr. Nicholas Leyland BASc,MD,MHCM,FRCSC, Chair, Department of OB/GYN, Chief of OB/GYN HHS, McMaster University |