John Basmajian

John V. Basmajian, O.C., O.Ont., M.D., D.Sc., F.R.C.P.S.(C.) (1921 - 2008) was a Canadian academic and scientist. He was known for his work in rehabilitation science, specifically in the area of electromyography.

Born in Constantinople of Armenian parents, he came to Canada in 1923. During World War II, he served in the Royal Canadian Army Medical Corps with the rank of Captain. After the war, he received his M.D. in 1945 from the University of Toronto.cite web|url=http://utpress.utpress.utoronto.ca/cgi-bin/cw2w3.cgi?p=basacchi&t=5686&d=5698|title=Canadian Who's Who 1997 entry|work=University of Toronto Press]

In 1949, he accepted a position as a lecturer in anatomy at the University of Toronto. He was appointed an Assistant Professor in 1951, an Associate Professor in 1951, and a full Professor in 1956. In 1957, he took the position of Professor and Head of Anatomy at Queen's University where he would remain until 1969. From 1969 to 1977, he was Director of Neurophysiology at the Georgia Mental Health Institute in Atlanta. He also was a Professor of Anatomy, Physicial Medicine, and Psychiatry at Emory University. Returning to Canada, he was a Professor of medicine at McMaster University from 1977 until 1986, when he was appointed Emeritus Professor of Medicine and Anatomy.

In 1991, he was awarded the Order of Ontario. In 1994, he was made an Officer of the Order of Canada for his "his pioneering work in electromyography, which had a significant impact on the development of biofeedback techniques". [ [http://www.gg.ca/honours/search-recherche/honours-desc.asp?lang=e&TypeID=orc&id=3330 Order of Canada citation] ]

John Basmajian died on the morning of March 18, 2008.

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