Malcolm Ross Bow

Malcolm Ross Bow (13 July 1887 – 5 July 1982) was a Canadian medical doctor and public health officer.[1][2] From 1912 to 1926 Bow served as Chief Medical Officer for Regina, Saskatchewan.[2] From 1927 to 1952 Bow served as deputy minister of health for Alberta.[2]

Dr. Malcolm Bow hands serum wrapped in a blanket to pilot Wop May for his 1929 mercy flight.

Born in Vernon, Ontario, Bow graduated from Queen's University with a medical degree in 1911.[1] He became the first medical officer of the city of Regina the next year.[1] Bow initiated a number of important public health programs in Regina. He controlled typhoid with a sanitary system of galvanized steel buckets and a specialised "honeywagon" which he helped design.[1] Bow also instituted a child-care program which reduced the city's rate of infant mortality.[1]

Bow was also an organizer and player for the Regina Rugby Club, predecessor of the Saskatchewan Roughriders.[1] Bow played running back and acted as secretary and treasurer for the league.[1]

In 1927 Bow moved to Edmonton to become Alberta's deputy minister of health, a position he would hold until 1952.[1] Bow is credited with expanding health care to remote areas of the province.[2] In 1929 Bow requested a dangerous winter flight by bush pilot Wop May to bring diphtheria vaccine to Fort Vermilion to combat an emerging outbreak.[2] Bow was initially criticised for the "foolhardy" risk, but the delivery was successful and the pilots were greeted as national heroes on their return to Edmonton.[3][4]

From 1938 until 1954 Bow combined his administrative duties with teaching public health at the University of Alberta, becoming an associate professor and then professor emeritus in 1956.[1]

In 1953 Bow moved north to become Chief Medical Officer of the Yukon.[2]

Malcolm Bow and his wife Norma had two daughters and a son, diplomat Malcolm Norman Bow.[2] Bow died in 1982 in Edmonton.[1][2]