Dr. William T. Mustard 1914-1987

Photos by Alan L Brown - Posted September, 2006

Here, in some bushes, beside the north driveway entrance to the Hospital for Sick Children at 555 University Avenue, stands a 1991 Toronto Historical Board plaque honouring Dr. Mustard. Here's what it says:

Plaque coordinates: 43.657308 -79.388875

Procedures pioneered by William Thornton Mustard (born 8 August 1914 in Clinton, Ontario) had a historic impact on the field of surgery. He attended the University of Toronto Schools and the University of Toronto Medical School. During WWII while Mustard was stationed in England, the value of his work in the repair of damaged leg arteries was recognized by his appointment as a member of the Order of the British Empire. He joined the staff of the Hospital of Sick Children in 1947 where he specialized in paediatric surgery. In 1951, his innovative muscle transfer procedure for children disabled by polio minimized their need for crutches bringing international recognition. He moved exclusively into the field of paediatric cardiac surgery in 1957 and five years later performed the first surgery to correct transposition of the great vessels of the heart, a previously fatal congenital defect. In April 1976 he was invested as a member of the Order of Canada. He died 11 December 1987.

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Posted January 15, 2012
Being born in November 1961, shortly there after, I was diagnosed with a congenital heart defect and required surgery on 3 separate occasions, 1962, 1964 and lastly 1975. Spent the 1st 3 years of childhood at the Hospital for Sick recovering. I too was operated by Dr. Mustard (the 'great one') and am very grateful for what he has done for me. I had the pleasure to meet him after my 3rd surgery back in May 1975. He did tell that I would be good now for well into my '80''s. I believe him, but, I plan on going for the '100'. My dad's mom lived to '95'. I graduated from SickKids to Toronto General back in 1982 and am very grateful to doctors I have met. 'World Glass Professional Men & Woman, God Bless them all. To 'Dr. Mustard' he is known to me as 'the Great One', thank my for looking after me at my time of need.
Lucy

Posted December 5, 2011
My mother always told me that my oldr brother Daryl Rochon was the first child to receive the congenital heart defect (hole in the heart) operation by Dr. Mustard. The timing (born in 1959 and he was 4 years old) works out perfectly. He lived until he was 27 years old and died of an enlarged heart that was beating "off the charts". The doctors in Timmins , Ontario at St, Mary's Hospital (now closed) said the only option was to "stop the heart and try to restart it. Daryl never was revived. His heart by this age in 1985 was the size of a football and he was "emaciated looking. The doctors did not want to "mess around" with his heart because on paper, he should not be alive but the heart was somehow working. Was he this first child? he mentions that it is a boy. I am wondering if my mother Muriel and father, Sylvia (Sye) Rochon of Timmins were telling me the truth. A friend of hers had a child with the same condition but did not have this operation and he died at 16 years of age, so technically my brother was given 10 more years by Dr. Mustard. How can I verify this information?

Posted November 29, 2011
i, too was operated on by dr. mustard. it was for scoliosis and it was my second surgery. the first was done by dr. lemesiurier. i did meet and joke with him. he was a great doctor and humanitarian, short, but with a great sense of humour. he shall be missed. barb rubinoff

Posted August 11, 2011
Dr. Mustard performed experimental surgery in the early to mid 1950's taking parts of bones from my shin on my polio stricken right leg, and using them to prop forward my paralized foot. His actions provided me with the ability to then learn and do EVERYTHING that anyone else could do, including skating, bike riding, gymnastics, etc. I am now 62 years old, an active wife, mother, and grandmother and I am still going strong. I don't recall too much related to my time at Toronto Sick Kids except for the Iron Lung, the therapy tubs, lots of kind staff. God Bless those who try new things to help people!

Posted June 23, 2011
Dr.Mustard 1st did surgery on me at 4 yrs old in 1961.At that time tetrology had not been perfected for a small heart,so he did a shunt from my left arm. By the time i was 12 he did the main surgery in 1969. I am 54 years old & am now finally going to have to have the valve replaced by winter. Lately ive been experiencing shortness of breath & tiredness, so its finally time. My ticker has beat (without a problem) for all those years on the work that he did & also invented. I am married & have 3 children that are healthy. I remember him telling my father about how he caught this baracuda fish (that was hanging on his office wall) at one of the pre surgery visits (when i was very young) & i remember him bringing doctor Cristian Bernard (yeah, the south african doc that did the 1st heart transplant) by the heart ward at sick kids after my surgery at 12. Thats it ! Thats all i can remember about a man that saved & gave me life for who knows how long. So, i hope that some of his relatives check out this sight once in a while & fellow patients of his, to understand what a remarkable man he was & i thank him from the (hole) bottom of my HEART. hope yah got my joke.
Brian Mac..

Posted April 10, 2011
In May 1974 I had the Mustard procedure done at Sick Childrens Hospital as well as 2 holes in my heart patched. I was 4 years old and weighed 24lbs at that time. Now today I am 40 years old and have 2 beautiful and healthy daughters. I recall meeting him, and actually have a plastic heart that he gave to my parents to help them understand what he was going to fix and how this was going to save my life. Dr. Mustard was a wonderful doctor, and I owe my life to him. Thank you, Laura Lightfoot-Antle

Posted March 18, 2011
I am so fortunate to have found this website. Dr. Mustard performed surgury on me in July 1968, when I was 13 days old. With his talent and Dr. Ian Trussler they gave me my life, the first successful surgery of it's kind at Toronto Sick Kids Hospital. I never got the chance to meet him, but always wanted to. I have recently moved back to Ontario to attend Mac/Mohawk to study to become a Diagnostic Cardiac Sonographer. Yesterday we learned about the famous Mustard Technique. Although it was not Transposition of the Great Arteries, he obviously had a great impact on my life. Thank you for this website. I will now go to see this plaque in between terms. Good health to you all!
Scott. ps; if anyone has any knowledge regarding Dr. Ian Trussler i would greatly appreciate it. Thank you

Posted February 4, 2011
I was 8 years old when Dr. Mustard performed my surgery. That was 1967. It is now 2011 and I'm now 52 married with 2 grown children, who probably would not be here if it wasn't for Dr. Mustard. My parents were italian immigrants and he was very instrumental in helping my mother make the right decision. He will forever be in my heart.
Lily

Posted September 24, 2010
Hospital for Sick Children is actually located at 555 University Ave. Standing at the Plaque for Mary Pickford and turning 55 deg. to the left you can see this plaque for Dr. Mustard. [I have now corrected the address. Thanks.]

Posted August 14, 2010
In 1962 Dr. Mustard performed open heart surgery for a hole in the heart on me at age 4yrs at The Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto, Canada. How very very fortunate I was to have been priviledged to his excellent skills and expertise. I am now 52 yrs living in Canberra Australia and still to this day have a great heart and thanks to Dr. Mustard competed in a number of the gruelling 14km City to Surf fun runs held each year in Sydney. I too will always be grateful to Dr. William Mustard - thank you so very much!
Kind Regards, Leslie Learmont, Canberra Australia

Posted July 12, 2010
I was operated by Dr. Mustard on 1969 when I was 8.5 yars old. Today 49 years older my fittness is very good so good actually that I'm a pilot. Thanks to Dr. Mustard brain and hands I'm alive having a family and 2 healthy children. I do not remeber him but I'll always be gratefull.
George

Posted June 10, 2010
If it wouldn't have been for Dr Mustard I wouldn't be here today ....he performed heart surgery on me in 1959..I was born with a hole in my heart..I was 12 years old when he perforrmed the surgery...i am now 63 years old...Rosemarie Luoma

Posted September 15, 2009
In 1971, Dr. Mustard performed his famous "Mustard procedure" on me and saved my life. I am currently 49 years of age and have two healthy boys of my own. I remember him as a very kind man and thanks to him I have lived this long. Mary Cowling

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