Affairs of the Heart

South Africa may have had their pioneering heart surgeon Christiaan Barnard who astonished the world and overwhelmed medical science by performing the world's first heart transplant, but Canada has its own heart surgeon of great renown, repute and respected status in the heart of its capital, as star of the social and medical firmament.

None other than Dr. Wilbert Keon, whose surgical finesse and dedication to his heart-starting work has so many admirable facets.

Founder in 1976 of the University of Ottawa Heart Institute, he was the first Canadian heart surgeon to have the assurance and audacity to perform an artificial heart implant; a short-term solution to the problem of long waiting lists for heart transplants. So many years later, and so many scientific-medical barriers breached for the betterment of mankind, Dr. Keon is on the cusp of having his name placed in the Canadian Medical Hall of Fame.

Not that he hasn't received homage for his place in Canadian medical history from other sources. He was appointed to the Canadian Senate by former Prime Minister Brian Mulroney to help break a voting deadlock on a controversial subject, and hated goods and services tax, and has been there ever since; he is chairman of the Senate subcommittee on population Health and deputy chairman of the Senate's social affairs, science and technology committee.

He also recently received an acknowledgement award by the Canadian Medical Association, with its Frederic Newton Gisborne Starr Award, representing the most elevated honour that august association can bestow on one of its worthy members. And there are more, many more honours bestowed upon this man of medicine and science. Including that of being elevated to a Member of the Order of Canada.

What extraordinary esteem this man has garnered over his long and illustrious career. Yet, and yet... As matters stand, it is not merely affairs of the heart for which this man is known, but additionally matters of other bodily parts. To his chagrin and shame, to the public's puzzlement and (temporary) disdain.

His indiscretion comes to mind for two news reports published on the very same day. One, announcing the latest honour to be bestowed upon this Ottawa-based former heart surgeon, currently sitting member of the Senate of Canada. The other, a front page, above-the-crease story regarding attempts to clean up the scourge of drug addiction, and street prostitution both of which entrap the most vulnerable in our society, most often serially.

Ottawa Police have announced an initiative that they hope will dissuade casual abuse of women who in many instances become slaves to their addictions. Whose presence and activities on the inner-city streets disrupt and harm communities. Whose active recruitment of paying customers too often leaves them suffering even more than the effects of their drug habits; Ottawa has lost too many young women engaged in street prostitution to violent death.

The police have revealed they will begin sending out "community safety" letters personalized to indicate time, date and location the recipient of said letters were observed by officers to be on the prowl in areas known to be attractive to prostitutes. Those letters, aside from identifying the "johns" will point out the obvious potential for health problems like HIV and hepatitis. The harm done to family-based communities where children on their way to school stumble over used condoms and discarded drug paraphernalia is also described.

Renowned and so highly-regarded former heart surgeon Wilbert Keon, had the letters been in use at that time, would have received such a document. As a medical doctor, however, he would have been well versed in the medical side of potential problems relating to HIV and hepatitis transmission, along with other forms of sexually-transmitted infections plaguing society. And as an elite leader in society due to his position and prestige, he would know very well the deleterious effect of street prostitution on communities, families, children - let alone the harm that is visited upon hapless women trading sex for drug money.

He was the subject of a police sting made public. A police woman, posing as a street prostitute propositioned Dr. Keon while he was cruising in a notorious neighbourhood after a hard day at the hospital. He resigned as director general of the Ottawa Heart Institute and temporarily stopped performing surgery. And he agreed to attend a Salvation Army "john" school set up for the purpose of teaching male offenders what he would most certainly have already well known.

Attending the "john" school is an alternative offered to certain men caught in compromising situations, men thought quite often to be the social pillars of society; men of position and influence. That agreement assures that no charges will be laid. And time does have a habit of passing and diminishing memory of such unfortunate occurrences. Does it not?

Dr. Keon's colleagues stood by him. His family supported him. The public forgave him. The medical fraternity shrugged. Life went on. For an acclaimed leader in health care and a highly respected member of society succumbing to the call of his libido in such an irresponsible manner leaves one to contemplate on the level of judgement, his casual disdain for the obligation his position demanded of him.

The man, irrespective of his great accomplishments, talents and ability, blemished himself beyond redemption. That's life. He won't be lonely. He has more than enough company among great creative geniuses past and present whose sublime accomplishments were compromised by their all-too human capacity to stain themselves irremediably.

Alas, this is part of the human condition; we strive, we falter.