Henry Michael Bell, M.D., Dies at Age 89

Henry Michael Bell, M.D., a Vancouver pediatric orthopedic surgeon, passed away on November 29, 2023, at the age of 89.

Dr. Bell was born left-handed but was forced in school and throughout his childhood to use his right hand. By the time he entered medical school. Dr. Bell had learned to be ambidextrous. That, and his natural talent as a surgeon, led to his wide-ranging reputation for surgical skill, dexterity, and speed—particularly because he used both his hands equally.

“Stories abound of this legendary talent, with anecdotal evidence to suggest that, if you were in the operating room with him, ‘you had better watch your fingers!’” his family wrote.

During his career as a pediatric orthopedic surgeon, he was known for pioneering important programs, among them, a program to screen all newborn children for hip dysplasia.

After earning his medical degree at the University of British Columbia, Bell completed an internship at the Montreal General Hospital and was Chief Resident in Orthopedics at the Children’s Hospital Medical Center in Boston.

During his medical training, he also served patients at Radcliffe Infirmary in Oxford and the Princess Margaret Rose Hospital in Edinburgh.

He completed a research fellowship at the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto before returning to Vancouver.

Bell was born in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada on September 30, 1964, to Dr. CHC and Elspeth Bell. He attended Prince of Wales Secondary School before commencing his study of medicine at the University of British Columbia. While at UBC, he played rugby. Dr. Bell loved sailing and spending time on Hernando Island. He was predeceased by his wife Lindsey Chambers, his parents and his sister Jan Scott. He leaves behind his daughters, Sarah, Susannah, Kate, and Molly, and his grandchildren, Alexander, Charlotte, Joe, Lola, and Ruby.