Arthur Porter (physician) facts for kids

Arthur Thomas Porter IV PC (June 11, 1956 – June 30, 2015) was a Canadian physician and hospital leader. He was known for his work in healthcare and for his role in reviewing Canada's spy agency.

In 2004, Dr. Porter became the head of the McGill University Health Centre (MUHC) in Montreal, Quebec. This is one of Canada's biggest academic health centers. He left this important job in 2011.

Dr. Porter also led the Canadian Security Intelligence Review Committee. This group checks on the activities of the Canadian Security Intelligence Service, which is Canada's spy agency. Prime Minister Stephen Harper chose him for this role in 2008.

In 2013, Dr. Porter was arrested in Panama. He was accused of being involved in serious financial wrongdoing. This was related to building a new hospital for the McGill University Health Centre. He said he did nothing wrong.

Dr. Porter wrote a book about his life called The Man Behind the Bow Tie. It was released in 2014. He passed away in Panama in 2015 after battling cancer.

Early Life and Education

Arthur Porter was born in Sierra Leone. He had citizenship in both Canada and the United States. He was married to Pamela Mattock Porter and they had four children. His mother was from Denmark. His father, Arthur Porter III, helped expand the University of Nairobi in Kenya.

Dr. Porter went to school in Sierra Leone and Kenya. He later studied in England at the University of Cambridge. He also earned a business degree from the University of Tennessee. He studied medical management at Harvard University and the University of Toronto. He also attended Western University in Canada. He received special recognition in Healthcare Administration.

Beginning His Career

After his medical training, Dr. Porter held several important jobs in Canada. He was a senior specialist at the University of Alberta. He also led the Radiation Oncology department at the London Regional Cancer Centre. He was also Chairman of Oncology at Victoria Hospital in London, Ontario.

In 1991, he became a professor and chairman at the Detroit Medical Center and Wayne State University. Over the next five years, he took on more roles. He was Director of Clinical Care at the Karmanos Cancer Institute. He also became an associate dean at the Wayne State University School of Medicine.

He also started a cancer clinic in Nassau, in the Bahamas. It was called the Cancer Centre.

In 1999, Dr. Porter became the CEO of the Detroit Medical Center. This is a very large health system in the United States. It is one of the biggest non-government employers in Detroit. He left this position in 2003.

In 2001, Dr. Porter was chosen for a special commission. This group looked at healthcare provided by the United States Department of Defense and the United States Department of Veterans Affairs.

In 2002, the Governor of Michigan appointed Dr. Porter. He became the chairman of Michigan's Hospital Commission for four years.

Leading the McGill University Health Centre

In 2004, Dr. Porter was chosen to lead the McGill University Health Centre (MUHC). This happened even though some concerns were raised about his past business activities. The MUHC is one of Canada's largest academic health centers. At the time, it was working on a huge hospital building project.

In 2008, Dr. Porter announced a new website. It was for the Institute for Strategic Analysis and Innovation.

Dr. Porter finished his second term at MUHC in 2011. During his time, the center received a very large grant. This grant was nearly $100 million from the Canada Foundation for Innovation. The Quebec government also matched this amount. This helped bring research funding up to $250 million.

Other Important Work

Dr. Porter was president of several important medical groups. These included the American Brachytherapy Society and the American College of Oncology Administrators. He also led the American Cancer Society (Great Lakes). He was also Chairman of the Board of Chancellors for the American College of Radiation Oncology. He served on the Board of Scientific Counselors for the National Cancer Institute in the USA.

From 2006 to 2008, Dr. Porter was on the Governing Council of the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR). This group oversees government funding for health research in Canada.

In 2008, Dr. Porter became a member of the Queen's Privy Council for Canada. This happened when Prime Minister Stephen Harper appointed him to Canada's Security Intelligence Review Committee (SIRC). SIRC reviews the activities of Canada's spy agency. After Dr. Porter left SIRC in 2011, Chuck Strahl took over as chair.

In 2011, Dr. Porter obtained a special St Kitts and Nevis diplomatic passport. He was working to develop cancer treatment facilities on the island.

Legal Challenges

Dr. Porter and his wife faced legal challenges in Panama. They were fighting to avoid being sent back to Canada. Dr. Porter claimed he had special diplomatic protection. He said he was on a diplomatic mission for Sierra Leone. However, the Sierra Leone government stated he was a goodwill ambassador, not a diplomat with immunity.

While in prison, Dr. Porter filed a large lawsuit against Panama. He claimed damages because of his arrest and imprisonment. He also complained to the United Nations about his human rights.

In 2013, Dr. Porter's wife was sent to Canada. She was released on bail in Montreal. She later pleaded guilty to some financial charges.

In 2015, Canada and Panama reached an agreement for Dr. Porter's return. However, no date was set. After his death, questions remained about the process.

Writings and Film

Dr. Porter wrote his memoir with Canadian writer T. R. Todd. The book was titled The Man Behind the Bow Tie: Arthur Porter on Business, Politics and Intrigue. It was published in September 2014.

In 2014, it was announced that Dr. Porter's memoir might be made into a film or television show. A production company in Montreal bought the rights.

Illness and Passing

Dr. Porter diagnosed himself with cancer in 2012. He had lung cancer that spread to his bones and liver. He fought the illness for two and a half years. About two of those years were spent in a prison in Panama. He also used an oxygen tank and other medical supplies to treat himself.

Six weeks before he passed away, Dr. Porter was moved to the Panama National Cancer Centre. He died there on June 30, 2015, while still in Panamanian custody. His death was announced by his doctors, family, and biographer.

News of Dr. Porter's death was widely reported in Canada and the United States. It ended rumors that he might have faked his illness. Even after the announcement, some people were still unsure if he was truly gone.

On July 2, 2015, investigators from Quebec's anti-corruption squad went to Panama. They viewed the body and conducted fingerprinting and DNA tests. He was officially declared dead on July 7, 2015.

In his book, Dr. Porter said he wanted to be buried in Sierra Leone. However, his family did not publicly announce any funeral plans.

See Also

• Arthur Porter (historian)