Rapid responses are electronic comments to the editor. They enable our users
to debate issues raised in articles published on bmj.com. A rapid response
is first posted online. If you need the URL (web address) of an individual
response, simply click on the response headline and copy the URL from the
browser window. A proportion of responses will, after editing, be published
online and in the print journal as letters, which are indexed in PubMed.
Rapid responses are not indexed in PubMed and they are not journal articles.
The BMJ reserves the right to remove responses which are being
wilfully misrepresented as published articles or when it is brought to our
attention that a response spreads misinformation.
From March 2022, the word limit for rapid responses will be 600 words not
including references and author details. We will no longer post responses
that exceed this limit.
The word limit for letters selected from posted responses remains 300 words.
Family circumstances prevented Betty Cowan embarking on a career in
medicine until she was in her early thirties. During her first year at
Glasgow University she came to personal faith in Christ, the start of a
relationship that was to map out her future career as a medical
missionary. Health problems frustrated her sense of calling to India for
several years but the delay provided opportunity for an excellent
postgraduate training in Medicine. This subsequently stood Betty in good
stead as Professor of Medicine in one of India’s leading medical colleges.
In addition to patient care, lecturing and clinical teaching, Betty
introduced the concepts of medical research and evidence based medical
practice to CMC. She presented the results of her research all over the
world, inspiring others to share her vision of total family care in the
community. The award of the O.B.E. in 1979 was fitting recognition of her
pioneering community health work and research which eventually focussed on
the plight of the under-three female child in poverty stricken areas and
significantly decreased infant mortality in this vulnerable group.
In the 1980s, when the Medical Council of India introduced a new
problem oriented, student centred, community based medical curriculum,
Betty was at the forefront. She organised training visits for CMC Ludhiana
medical faculty to parts of the world where this new curriculum was
already up and running.
In 44 years of service at CMC Ludhiana, Betty saw many changes, not
least the gradual handing over of the reins to Indian doctors, many of
them CMC graduates and her former students. Not only these but many others
working in mission hospitals around India and beyond have learned much
from Betty. As their Professor of Medicine she modelled efficient
doctoring hand in hand with care and concern for the person behind the
disease; as their mentor and friend she strengthened their faith in Jesus
Christ and encouraged them in times of difficulty. This truth is borne out
by the scores of tributes flying though cyberspace at the moment as those
she influenced around the world give thanks for her life and come to terms
with the death of Dr Betty Cowan O.B.E.
I first met Betty when I was a medical elective at CMC in 1977. She
kept a watching brief for electives and heard that I had "gone into a
decline" with an excess of spices in the diet! She sent a medical student
to my room with a Red Cross parcel of soup and bacon and I made a rapid
recovery. Two further visits to CMC some years later cemented our
friendship, and our family valued meeting her every year at the Keswick
Convention.
She will be much missed, and although she never married has hundreds
of "spiritual children" throughout the world.
A faithful servant
Family circumstances prevented Betty Cowan embarking on a career in
medicine until she was in her early thirties. During her first year at
Glasgow University she came to personal faith in Christ, the start of a
relationship that was to map out her future career as a medical
missionary. Health problems frustrated her sense of calling to India for
several years but the delay provided opportunity for an excellent
postgraduate training in Medicine. This subsequently stood Betty in good
stead as Professor of Medicine in one of India’s leading medical colleges.
In addition to patient care, lecturing and clinical teaching, Betty
introduced the concepts of medical research and evidence based medical
practice to CMC. She presented the results of her research all over the
world, inspiring others to share her vision of total family care in the
community. The award of the O.B.E. in 1979 was fitting recognition of her
pioneering community health work and research which eventually focussed on
the plight of the under-three female child in poverty stricken areas and
significantly decreased infant mortality in this vulnerable group.
In the 1980s, when the Medical Council of India introduced a new
problem oriented, student centred, community based medical curriculum,
Betty was at the forefront. She organised training visits for CMC Ludhiana
medical faculty to parts of the world where this new curriculum was
already up and running.
In 44 years of service at CMC Ludhiana, Betty saw many changes, not
least the gradual handing over of the reins to Indian doctors, many of
them CMC graduates and her former students. Not only these but many others
working in mission hospitals around India and beyond have learned much
from Betty. As their Professor of Medicine she modelled efficient
doctoring hand in hand with care and concern for the person behind the
disease; as their mentor and friend she strengthened their faith in Jesus
Christ and encouraged them in times of difficulty. This truth is borne out
by the scores of tributes flying though cyberspace at the moment as those
she influenced around the world give thanks for her life and come to terms
with the death of Dr Betty Cowan O.B.E.
Competing interests:
None declared
Competing interests: No competing interests