Image of Dr. Griff McKerracher, Professor and Head, Department of Psychiatry, dressed in a lab coat.

Bio/Historical Note: Dr. Donald Griffith (Griff) McKerracher was born in 1909 in Chatham, Ontario. He earned his MD in 1935 from the University of Toronto. Dr. McKerracher served his country in the Royal Canadian Army during World War II. T.C. Douglas, Premier of Saskatchewan, appointed him as director of Psychiatric Services in 1946. Dr. McKerracher introduced a comprehensive training program for psychiatric nursing. He became founding professor and chairman of the Department of Psychiatry at the Medical College at the University of Saskatchewan. He had a major interest in psychiatric education and in improving both hospital and community care for patients. Dr. McKerracher published many papers, including the concept of a comprehensive unit in the general hospital, and emphasized the skillful use of community resources. Dr. McKerracher died in 1970 at age 60. The annual D, Griffith McKerracher Memorial Lecture Series are given by visiting professors selected on the basis of their contribution to psychiatry or medical education, or in the general area of the delivery of health care. The McKerracher Centre, located at 2302 Arlington Avenue in Saskatoon, offers programs and support for those with mental illness and substance use issues and their loved ones.