Charles Carpenter was an Emeritus faculty member in OBGYN. Charles, or “Charlie” as he was affectionately called by many of his students and residents passed away on 2 April 2023. He will be sadly missed.
Charlie attended Queen’s University and was awarded his medical degree in 1954. After completing his obstetrics and gynecology residency in Kingston and Vancouver, Charles was awarded his FRCS in 1951. He was also a recipient of a coveted McLaughlin Fellowship which enabled him to travel to Edinburgh where he furthered his studies. He also travelled to Scandinavia and eastern Europe, where he pursued his interest in reproductive endocrinology.
He was a friendly, open individual who was always calm and unhurried when many around him were agitated or upset. His engaging smile soothed and reassured many an anxious patient and learner alike. He was among the first to introduce estriol testing as a measure of fetal-maternal well-being when fetal monitoring and ultrasound were in their infancy. He became a leader in BC in problems of rhesus isoimmuinzaton at a time when being Rh negative carried with it potential major morbidity. He was always highly regarded as a teacher and a colleague.
Initially he was a member of the part-time academic staff but relinquished this appointment to become a member of the clinical faculty.
There is a celebration of life for Charlie on May 6 at 1 pm at Shaughnessy United which is at 33rd and Granville. All are welcome.