Wilbert Joseph Keon

Dr. Wilbert Joseph Keon (born May 17 1935) is a heart surgeon, researcher and Canadian Senator.

Born in Sheenboro, Quebec, he received a BSc from St. Patrick's College, Carleton University and a MD from the University of Ottawa.

In 1986 he was the first Canadian to implant an artificial heart into a human as a bridge to transplant. In the early 1970s, Dr. Keon founded the University of Ottawa Heart Institute at the Ottawa Civic Hospital and acted as its CEO for more than thirty years until his retirement in 2004. He still performs over 300 surgeries annually.

In 1990 he was appointed to the Senate by Brian Mulroney where he sits as a Conservative.

In 1960 he married Anne Jennings. They have three children: Claudia, Ryan and Neil.

Honours

• In 1984 he was made an Officer of the Order of Canada.
• He was appointed an Officer of the Order of Malta by Pope John Paul II.
• In 1994 he was awarded an honourary D.Sc. from Carleton University.