Proust questionnaire: Graham C. Fraser, MBChB, FRCS

Dr Fraser is retired from pediatric general surgery at BC Children’s Hospital, where he was head of surgery. He enjoys reading, writing, and erratic golf.

What profession might you have pursued, if not for medicine?
Airline captain.

Which talent would you most like to have?
To imbue enthusiasm and enjoyment in young people in their chosen fields and lives.

What do you consider your greatest achievement?
Discovering the emergence of pediatric surgery and going on to develop with it.

Who are your heroes?
Peter F. Jones and Sir David Innes Williams.

What is your idea of perfect happiness?
A beautiful, quiet fall evening at our lake cottage. 

What is your greatest fear?
Losing anyone whom I love to a devastating illness.

What is the trait you most deplore in yourself?
Obsessive punctuality… I just can’t help it.

What characteristic do your favorite patients share?
Being children, their transparent frankness and amazing resilience.

What is your favorite activity?
Golfing with a wonderful group of longstanding friends.

On what occasion do you lie?
When the truth will upset or actually hurt the listener.

Which words or phrases do you most overuse?
“I really think that… ”

Where would you most like to practise?
Vancouver—I spent almost my whole career here and wouldn’t change a day.

What medical advance do you most anticipate?
The continuing reduction in mortality from childhood malignancy.

What is your most marked characteristic?
A keen sense of humor—occasionally ill-timed.

What do you most value in your colleagues?
Caring, interest, enthusiasm, and humor.

Which living physician do you most admire?
Sir Roy Calne.

Who are your favorite writers?
John Sandford, Allan Bennett, and Reginald Hill.

What is your greatest regret?
During my career, being an all-too-often absent husband and father.

How would you like to die?
Quickly, quietly, and with dignity.

What is your motto?
The Clan Fraser motto is Je suis prest!