November 20th, 1930 – October 2nd, 2017
By far, the most difficult page we have ever assembled for Oral Health.
We celebrate our Editorial Board Chairman, Dr. James Kerr.
Jim led a full and large life, which cannot be contained in a page of words. But words are all we have and so, we remember our rock and our editorial compass:
After graduating from high school, James joined Southam Business Communications, Inc. and within 11 years he became a senior publisher but with a father (oral surgeon) who passed away, a twin and younger brother already dentists, he realized dentistry is what he wanted to do for the rest of his life. Dr. Kerr graduated in 1966 with a gold award in periodontology, the efficiency award for first student to complete all his credits and an award for academic standing from the University of Toronto. Two years after graduating from the Faculty of Dentistry, James was asked to be chairman of the editorial board of Oral Health in 1968, primarily because of his backgrounds in publishing and dentistry. This was an incredible opportunity for a dentist to associate with esteemed colleagues (specialists) for 44 years. In 1972, Southam publishing company acquired Oral Health and the magazine grew consistently with a superb publishing staff and experienced editorial Board to become one of North America’s leading clinical dental publications. A superb athlete Dr. Kerr won three International championships of squash racquets: (Canada and USA). James was married to June for 63 years, has three daughters, Kathy, Karen and Laurie and seven grandchildren.
Jim’s legacy is assured through the Dr. James Kerr Scholarship Award established at the University of Toronto by Oral Health. The most recent recipient writes:
“I completed my undergraduate degree in biomedical science at the University of Ottawa and am currently in my second year of dentistry at the U of T. I was encouraged to apply to the dentistry programme by my grandfather, who is a U of T DDS graduate.
The Dr. James Kerr/Oral Health award has helped me greatly financially with this year’s tuition and has allowed me to focus on my academics! When I graduate I hope to move back to my hometown of Paris, ON to work as a dentist although I love living in Toronto as a student!
Thank you for your generous support.”
Emily
Dr. Kerr will be greatly missed by his family, colleagues and all of us at Oral Health.
