Remembering Dr. Sam

East Kildonan

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 28/02/2024 (594 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

In January, noted medical doctor and researcher Dr. Semeon Hrushovetz passed away after a lifetime of service. Statistically, his passing at 96 years placed him with the few at the extreme end of the bell curve of life expectancy rates.

I describe this so clinically as a way of honouring Dr. Hrushovetz’s lifetime of work, for he was a pioneer in the science of aging and life extension. He established the Winnipeg Clinic Research Institute Laboratory in 1965 and published 40 scientific papers. He later had a thriving medical practice at Watt Street and Union Avenue and fulfilled his lifelong dream, as described in the Winnipeg Free Press, by creating the Kildonan Institute of Gerontology in1974 – a research institute for the study of aging.

He brought his knowledge to many through his blog http://docsamblog.blogspot.com at his website, Science Benefitting Humanity.

His interesting and compact blog entries ranged topically from healthy aging to the ethical issues surrounding medical research and more, with links to data and backgrounders. He was made an honorary lifetime member of the Canadian Medical Association for having “attained eminence in medicine, science or the humanities”.

Dr. Hrushovetz and his family were members of Holy Eucharist Ukrainian Catholic Church and on a special Sunday in 2017 the congregation sang what the church’s newsletter called a “wall-shaking” Mnohaya Lita! –- an ancient but still used song of praise before a surprise reception honouring his 90th birthday.

A most beautiful memory for me was due, I suspect, to Dr. Hrushovetz. In 2016 I was asked to conduct a historical interpretation (walking tour) of Watt Street, written and researched by the North East Winnipeg Historical Society. (Yes, there is fascinating history all along our neighbourhood streets.)

As we walked along the fence near Polson School, the bells of the Holy Eucharist Ukrainian Catholic Church close by suddenly rang out. Nothing else could be heard above their majestic splendour. Their exclamatory peals felt like a joyous homage to our neighbourhood’s past and almost brought me to tears. A short while earlier, I had noticed Dr. Hrushovetz walking quickly towards the church.

After visiting the church’s impressive interior, we concluded at the restful space on the church’s southern side. The church was one of 100 places chosen across Canada to unveil a plaque commemorating the Canadian internment of Eastern Europeans (involving many Ukrainians) during the First World War. Dr. Hrushovetz spoke at the unveiling of the plaque in 2014.

I encourage you to take a rest stop at one of the benches at this contemplative spot to take a moment to read the plaque, and perhaps read one of Dr. Hrushovetz’s blog entries on your device.

I was lucky to have made Dr. Hrushovetz’s acquaintance through our shared love of local history.