The Aitken Memorial Lecture Series

The Aitken Memorial Lecture series was established in 1991 through an endowment from Drs. Ron and Elizabeth Aitken, anesthesiologists operating out of London, Ontario. It is held annualy by the Departments of Clinical Neurological Sciences and Anesthesia & Perioperative Medicine. Traditionally, the invited speaker gives a talk at both Anesthesia Grand Rounds and CNS Grand Rounds.

The Aitken name is closely associated with the development of anesthesia as a specialty in London. Dr. Ron Aitken’s father, Dr. George W.A. Aitken, was a general practitioner and one of the first physicians in London to limit his practice to anesthesia (1924-58). Ron Aitken graduated from Western in 1943. His junior internship at St. Michael’s Hospital in Toronto was devoted to anesthesia, and after he was commissioned to the RCAMC (May 1944), he had various postings in Canada as an Anesthetist. On discharge, he became the first official resident in Anesthesia at Victoria Hospital (1947-48).

In 1949, after a final year’s residency in Vancouver under Dr. Digby Leigh, he was appointed to the teaching staff at Victoria Hospital. In 1950, Dr. Aitken married his fellow resident, Dr. Elizabeth Johnson of Winnipeg. Both served as exemplary models to the medical community in London until retirement in 1983. Dr. Ron Aitken worked closely with Dr. Charles Drake while Dr. Drake was developing his revolutionary surgical approaches to difficult intracranial aneurysms. Dr. Aitken provided the neuro- anesthetic techniques, especially induced hypotension, that made this difficult surgery possible and that established neuro- anesthesia as a specialty at Western.

During his 30 years of practice in London, Dr. Ron Aitken was highly esteemed as a superb clinician and clinical teacher and as a pioneer of clinical neuroanesthesia. The Aitken Lecture was established to highlight developments in the science and practice of neuroanesthesia.

2025 Guest Lecturer

This year, we have cordially invited Dr. Bill Wang, Associate Professor of Surgery at McMaster University.

Dr. Wang completed a concurrent degree program in mechanical engineering and medicine (MD) at the University of Western Ontario. He then stayed at Western to pursue a neurosurgery residency. During his residency, he completed a Master’s degree in Medical Biophysics, gaining a better understanding of cyanoacrylate glue for endovascular treatment. He subsequently completed a cerebrovascular/endovascular fellowship at the Swedish Neuroscience Institute in Seattle, Washington, before joining the faculty at McMaster University.

Dr. Wang has a keen interest in medical education and actively participates in teaching. His research interests include clinical trials and the innovative application of technology to neurosurgery. He also collaborates with colleagues on cross-disciplinary brain biomechanics and neuro-oncology projects.

CNS Grand Rounds

MMA embolization in the management of chronic SDH - hype or new treatment paradigm?
Dr. Bill Wang
Date: Tuesday October 28th, 2025 from 8:00 to 9:30 a.m.
Location: University Hospital, Auditorium A

Anesthesia & Perioperative Medicine City-Wide Grand Rounds

Exploring Feasibility in Biomedical Innovation
Dr. Bill Wang
Date: Wednesday October 29th, 2025 , 7:00 to 8:30 a.m.
Location: University Hospital, Auditorium C

______________________________________________________________________________________