DR. ROBIN F. BADGLEY

DR. ROBIN F. BADGLEY 1931 - 2011 On October 5, 2011 Robin Francis Badgley died peacefully with family at his side in his eightieth year. He is survived by his wife Jean Winifred Rosemary (nee Duncan) of 52 years, his three children, Anne, Mary and Peter, their spouses Tim, Neil and Bev and grandchildren Abigayle, Evan, Andrew, Emily and Eric. His career which spanned five decades focussed on the sociological analysis of health systems and the investigation of medical-legal issues of broad public policy. He received his Master's degree from MCGill University and his Ph.D. from Yale University. In the early 1960's his work included the analysis of the introduction of medical care insurance in Saskatchewan and co-authored one of the first of numerous publications with the book called Doctor's Strike: Medical Care and Conflict in Saskatchewan. From 1963 to 1968 he worked at the Milbank Memorial Fund, a philanthropic foundation based in New York City. The focus of his work at the foundation was in Latin America fostering greater awareness in medicine of the potential contribution of the social sciences in training and research, and of seeking ways of strengthening this new field. One of the key initiatives was a national health manpower study undertaken in partnership with the Pan American Health Organization. In 1968 he moved to the University of Toronto and founded the Department of Behavioural Science becoming the department's first Chairman. Initial studies while at the university included a five year analysis of the health of Cree and Ojibway people in northern Ontario, a review of national health insurance and an international review of the impact of user charges for health services for the World Health Organization. He chaired two federal inquiries for the Government of Canada. The first study conducted between 1975 and 1977 examined the operation of the Abortion Law and was used as a baseline source of documentation by governing federal parties and the Supreme Court of Canada. The second federal inquiry he chaired between 1980 and 1984 was on child sexual abuse. Findings and recommendations from this study tabled in Parliament formed the basis for legislation that was enacted to amend provisions of the criminal code relating to sexual offences against children. In 1984 he undertook an extensive review of foreign aid for health to developing countries for the Commonwealth Secretariat which required visiting 34 countries in fourteen months to meet with senior government officials and granting agencies. The report resulted in recommendations to strengthen the mobilization of aid resources and increasing greater regional co-operation in developing joint aid projects. Robin was also involved with local groups including chairing the Halton Healthy Lifestyles Coalition for several years and was on the board of directors for Child Find Canada. In 1996 after retiring from the University of Toronto he joined the Centre for Research in Women's Health. In 2006 he received the Order of Ontario in recognition of his contributions in the area of social science and health related research. He will be greatly missed by family, friends and colleagues. A Celebration of Life for Robin will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday May 5, 2012 at St. Jude's Anglican Church, 160 William Street, Oakville.