History of Tom Baker Cancer Centre

ALBERTA CANCER BOARD (ACB) HISTORICAL OVERVIEW

Alberta’s leadership in cancer services commenced in 1940 with the enactment of the Cancer Treatment and Prevention act that established the first cancer services program for Albertans.  The purposes of the program were to alleviate the economic hardship of cancer patients through payment of their medical expenses, provide centralized radiation and statistical services and a variety of services relating to early diagnosis and follow-up.  Organized programs in prevention, education and research did not exist at that time.

Cancer services were administered by the Department of Health of the Provincial Government from 1940 until 1967 when the Provincial Cancer Hospitals Board was established and assumed responsibility for operating cancer treatment and research facilities in Alberta.  In 1982 the Cancer Treatment and Prevention Act was replaced with the enactment of the Cancer Programs Act and the renaming of the governing body to the Alberta Cancer Board.  Revisions to the Cancer Programs Act were made in 1983, 1984 and in 1992.  The 1984 amendment to the act established the Alberta Cancer Foundation, a charitable organization with the mandate to solicit and receive donations to support the purposes of the Alberta Cancer Board in the prevention, detection and treatment of cancer and cancer research.

Guiding Principles

• The following principles guide the provision of cancer services in Alberta and support those identified in the business plan of Alberta Health and Wellness.
• Cancer Care programs will be conducted to achieve continuous improvement in patient outcomes and efficient resource utilization.
• Cancer Research is the foundation upon which high quality programs in cancer treatment, prevention and education continue to be built.
• Cancer Prevention, Detection and Education.  The Alberta Cancer Board is committed to work with others to ensure that Albertans receive consistent and accurate messages which empower them to minimize their own risks for developing cancer.

Keep The Flame but Retired the Name

In 2009 the Alberta Cancer Board was officially replaced by Alberta Health Services.

“To remember the route taken to become what we are today as the Alberta Cancer Board and remind ourselves just how much can be achieved when like minded people act together” – Dr. Peter Craighead

Tom Baker Cancer Centre

The new centre is located in the Special Services building off the Foothills Hospital.  Dr’s Arthur, Brown and Jerry worked hard to ensure that this facility would provide multidisciplinary care to all the citizens of Southern Alberta.  Months before the move to the new location, the new centre was named the Tom Baker Cancer Centre after Dr. Tom Baker in recognition of his contribution to cancer care in Alberta as he acted as chairman of the board from 1967-1981.

Dr. Thomas Davidson Baker

Dr. Thomas Davidson Baker was a pioneer educator and healthcare, a humanitarian, a man who made our city and province a better place to live.  He was an outstanding leader and one of the great men of Alberta.

Born in Coutbridge, Scotland in 1910. Tom emigrated to Canada at the age of 12. Graduated from the Calgary Normal School in 1928.  He taught in public schools in Calgary and Edmonton.

Dr. Tom Baker had a tremendous impact on the establishment of diagnostic and treatment services throughout Alberta.  For 17 years he served as chairman of the Provincial Cancer Board. In 1981, a new health care facility in Calgary was named the Tom Baker Cancer Centre in high tribute to him

90 YEARS OF CANCER CARE IN CALGARY, ALBERTA

November is a month of celebrations for the Tom Baker Cancer Centre.  The Tom Baker Cancer Centre, an internationally acclaimed site for cancer treatment and research with the latest technology and resources at its fingertips is just the latest facility to offer outstanding treatment in a long standing tradition of quality cancer care in Calgary. Professionals in Calgary have been pioneers in research and treatment for cancer for over 90 years giving us a long and rich history to learn from and be proud of.   

Cancer care in Alberta during the first half of this century consisted mostly of surgery and some radiotherapy.  Albertans went to the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, for specialized cancer treatment.

Recent Years

In 2010, the Tom Baker Cancer Centre and Clinical Department of Oncology fully integrated with Calgary Zone. Just a few years later another big change was announced, the funding for the new Calgary Cancer Centre was made with plans to start building it by 2015.

2019-2020 marked a major milestone for the Tom Baker Department of Oncology and its members. Faculty and Residents published over 500 papers, our faculty received $50 million in grant funding, and over 500 trainees came through the education programs offered at the Tom Baker Cancer Centre.