Arthur Maxwell House

House, Arthur Maxwell

Arthur Maxwell House "Max," physician, lieutenant-governor of Newfoundland and Labrador (b at Glovertown, Nfld 1926). House came to the position after an outstanding medical career, imbued with a strong public service ethic. Born into a family with a struggling lumber business, House was educated at Memorial University College (1943-1947) and the Dalhousie University Medical School (1947-1952). After practising as a family physician, he completed training at the Montreal Neurological Institute in 1959 and returned to St John's in 1960 to become for some years the province's only neurologist. He was significantly involved in the establishment of the Memorial University Medical School and spent time there as Professor of Neurology and a medical administrator from 1968 to 1993 and thereafter until 1997 as consultant, advisor and researcher.

In 1976 he founded the Telemedicine Centre at Memorial - which provides continuing medical education and health services to remote communities - and led it until 1996. The World Health Organization would later honour him as an "International Pioneer in Telemedicine" (2001). He received a number of other awards, including the Canadian Medical Association's Medal of Service (1997), awarded to a physician who has made "an exceptional and outstanding contribution to the advancement of health care in Canada." He has been named twice to the Order of Canada, in 1989 as Member and in 2005 as Officer.

House was appointed the province's 10th Lieutenant-Governor on 5 February 1997. As Lieutenant-Governor, he drew attention to such issues as child poverty, literacy programs, the new economy and the provincial cultural industry. He likewise dedicated himself to operating his Office in an effective and cost-efficient manner.

House concluded his term as Lieutenant-Governor in November 2002, and was succeeded by Edward Roberts.