On November 24, 2005, McMaster University welcomed esteemed guests and scholars to the 2nd Annual Henry and Sylvia Wong Forum in Medicine. This year’s forum featured Dr. Kevin Kain, a renowned expert in Tropical Medicine and Infectious Diseases, as the distinguished speaker for both the Scientific and Public Lectures. Dr. Kain’s presence added a significant depth of knowledge and insight to the event, making it a memorable occasion for all attendees.
Dr. Kain’s scientific lecture, titled “Fifty years of research and no decrease in deaths from cerebral malaria: What are we doing?” captivated the audience in the state-of-the-art auditorium of the new Michael DeGroote Center for Learning and Discovery. The engagement was palpable as attendees absorbed Dr. Kain’s expertise, with many eager to pose questions and seek further clarification after the session.
Transitioning seamlessly to the public lecture, held in the same venue from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m., Dr. Kain addressed the audience on “Emerging Infectious Diseases: The BIG solutions will be small.” Despite inclement weather, a respectable crowd gathered to hear Dr. Kain’s insights. Attendees were treated to a captivating presentation, blending scientific rigor with captivating anecdotes and stunning travel visuals amassed over Dr. Kain’s extensive career.
What made Dr. Kain’s presentations even more remarkable was his recent brush with adversity. Just three weeks prior, while enjoying a mountain biking expedition in New Zealand, Dr. Kain suffered a fall resulting in a spinal fracture at C7, and possibly another lower down. Despite hospitalization and residual neurological symptoms, Dr. Kain’s resilience shone through as he delivered both lectures with aplomb and enthusiasm.
In addition to the enlightening lectures, McMaster facilitated a valuable exchange between Dr. Kain and Dr. Mark Loeb, one of Hamilton’s foremost experts in Infectious Diseases. Originally scheduled for an hour, their dialogue extended to one hour and 45 minutes, underscoring the depth and significance of their discourse.
As the day concluded, a select group had the privilege of dining with Dr. Kain, fostering further discussion and camaraderie. McMaster extended invitations to two promising trainees—a Fellow in Hematology and a Ph.D. student in Health Research Methodology—to join the gathering. Accompanying them was a distinguished visiting professor from Germany, enriching the evening with diverse perspectives and engaging narratives.