In 2021 we are all acutely aware of the value of the medical professionals who work to maintain our health. Even with the necessity of maintaining physical distancing, we have access to the services we need when we experience a health problem or emergency.
We can phone or email our primary physician’s office, arrange for a video conference or in-person appointment, get a referral to a specialist, who may schedule diagnostic tests, scans, or even surgery.
Medical information can be shared electronically with other professionals within minutes. Emergency care and transportation are available by ambulance, and, if necessary, by plane and helicopter. We have come to expect a certain level of health care from our doctors and we are quick to grumble and complain when we feel our needs are not being met as quickly as we want them to be.
Less than 50 years ago, if you were a resident of Kingsville or Gosfield, your medical services were limited to an office visit at the home of your doctor or driving to the small hospital in Leamington. Doctors made house calls to patients who were unable to get to the office or hospital, and they had to treat emergencies right on location.
Most residents of Kingsville do not realize that one man, Dr. George Bruner, was integral in bringing modern medical services to the community. In 1973, Kingsville had only three medical doctors to care for a growing population of about 10 thousand residents.
At this time, all three worked from offices located in their own or private homes. They were expected to be on-call to their patients at any time of day for wellness appointments or emergencies, and worried when they took vacations because there was often no one to cover their duties.
It was obvious to Dr. Bruner that these factors severely limited the ability of the community to attract new doctors. If they came to the area, they had to find a place to live, arrange to lease office space, and hire staff.
Universal public health care had gradually been expanded, and by 1969 was finally fully funded by the provincial and federal governments. Now a practicing physician could count on being paid for services in cash, not just in eggs, chickens, or baskets of seasonal fruits and vegetables.
Bruner believed that his current workload was almost overwhelming. A modern medical centre offering multiple services, with a team of clinicians was needed to bring the area into line with other places in Windsor-Essex and was imperative to attracting additional, much-needed, family physicians.
The Bliss House on Main Street
Dr. George Bruner had joined the practice of Dr. Quartus Bliss in 1954, and the two worked out of the office in Dr. Bliss’ stately home on Main Street. When the older doctor died of a heart attack two years later, Dr. Bruner continued working from the same office and rented the space from Dr. Bliss’ widow.
As a small-town doctor, Bruner was on call for his patients, assisted with surgeries at nearby Leamington Hospital, did his rotations in the ER, as well as holding regular office hours. He was well-liked by his many patients and had a reputation as a skilled diagnostician.
Surgeons requested him when they needed assistance with complicated or lengthy surgeries. Today in town it is still common to hear older people remark that they remember what a good doctor he was, or that he helped to deliver their baby, or stitch up a wound.
A nurse who worked for him remembered on one Christmas morning when she was dressed and ready for church, she received a call from Dr. George asking if she could come right in and help him. He was on call and had gotten dozens of phone calls from sick patients in need.
A bad flu was going around. He was going to the office and might need her help. She related that they worked most of the day and when everyone had been treated, then they went home to their respective families for Christmas dinner. She said no one was turned away.
A long-time patient said she will always remember Dr. Bruner for his kindness to her on her sixteenth birthday. As she walked up the driveway after getting off the school bus on that day, she was thinking of the wonderful birthday dinner her mother must be preparing.
She looked forward to being greeted warmly by her family, but when she opened the front door, she noticed the house was quiet and dark. No cooking smells emanated from the kitchen. Just then the phone rang and when she answered it, Dr. Bruner said, “Happy Birthday, Nancy!”
He went on to explain why there was no one home and congratulated her on the arrival of her new baby brother. She stated that a new brother was not the kind of birthday gift a 16-year-old really wanted, but she never forgot his kindness in calling her to tell her personally.
In December of 1973, Dr. Bruner began to put his plan for a new medical centre in place. The town of Kingsville issued him a permit to build the $125,000 facility. He would put up the funds to build it on his own. It was a financial risk he was willing to take to bring modern medicine to his patients and to the community at large.
Kingsville’s “Flying Doctor”
By mid-winter of 1975, his dream became a reality when the Kingsville Medical Centre opened its doors. Located at 249 Division Road North, the new structure contained 10 exam rooms, X-ray facilities, a treatment room, lab facilities, four dental operatories, and a dental lab.
A dentist, Dr. Oper, had already opened his practice here. Dr. Ken McNeilly had joined Dr. Bruner’s medical practice the previous year and in the coming months, Dr. Bruce Devall joined the team. The following year, a dispensary operated by Statham’s Pharmacy, under the management of Dr. Janet Malott, opened in the centre.
In July 1977, Dr. Ron Molzan opened an office of optometry in the Kingsville Medical Centre. Along with a team of nurses, receptionists, and other professionals, the medical centre became a hub of activity treating members of the community in a conveniently located, modern facility with plenty of space for parking. The doctors could share the workload, expand office hours, and even take some vacation time off.
Dr. Bruner might have had another reason for needing to share his heavy workload of patients. He was known locally as Kingsville’s “Flying Doctor.” He received his pilot license in 1966 and took further training in aerobatics.
Flying became a passion of Dr. Bruner’s and perhaps it was also a way of escaping the pressures of his demanding workload. Locals often watched his daring loop-the-loops as he would swoop and dive in his favourite plane over the fields and the lake on clear Sunday afternoons.
He gave back to his community many times by performing gratis for many events. At the opening of the new Kingsville Arena, he wowed the crowd with his loops, spins and upside-down tricks. He was a regular performer at the Leamington Fair and local airshows.
It has been 30 years since the passing of Dr. George Bruner on February 18, 1991. The building that housed the Kingsville Medical Centre on Division Road North is no longer being used as a medical office, but many fine doctors, nurses and medical professionals got their start by opening offices there.
They were introduced to the community, shared their expertise with other practitioners, and helped the town grow and stay healthy. The strategy of teamwork in medical care continues to be the model recognized by the government and community today. Thank you for your leadership, Dr. Bruner.
Photos provided by Betsey Sabara
He was my Favourite Dr.He would explain what you needed to understand.He would drive in Harrow my Dad & Mom &Myself had the Asian Flu.He would on us to see how he could help us get better.Before I got married he explain to me about what birth control. would be the best for me.I lived is sarnia still having Dr.Burner as a Family Dr..In 1985 I loss my husband suddenly.I made a appt to see the Dr..As my husband worked hard in construction he as me about him.I told him I just lost him @ 38yrs. old. He was shocked.So you see George had a big heart with patients.I will never forget the wonderful Heart that he had.
Dr. Bruner would come to our home to give me shots when I was maybe 9. ( for whatever the illness was) I remember him as kind, caring, not to mention incredibly handsome.
Dr. George & Elaine Bruner were very good friends with my parents George & Helen Fines. They vacationed together for years. My Father and Dr. Bruner were avid pilots flying their own planes. Coming from a family of 10, we would often see Dr. Bruner at our house on Lakeview Avenue because somebody was either sick or had an injury. I have many photos of all of them at parties and on vacation together.
He was the Best Dr ever. There will never be another Dr like him.
He’s my grandfather. thank you all for remembering him so fondly. 🙂
I had him as a Doctor when i was kid. he was a great Doctor.
Dr.Bruner was my parent’s doctor for many years.I think I was a patient in my teens a time or two.I slightly remember Dr.Bliss.He made a house call in 1950’s for my mom who had a severe ear infecton.I remember bringing my mom to Dr.McNeilly.All good doctors.
Very nice article! I remember Dr. Bruner fondly as both my family doctor and as a close friend of my father. My dad and the Dr. flew together many many times and he learned aerobatics from the good Dr.
He is the reason I was born…my mom had trouble getting pregnant & he found a thyroid problem, which he treated & mom was able to have children. She was always so grateful to him. He was my doctor through my first pregnancy.
He was the most amazing and caring Dr. I’d ever met.Dr. Bruner delivered all 3 of my children and cared for our Family up to his passing,he was also my mom’s Dr.when she needed her shots he would drive to their home to administer them to her,He was extraordinary and the best human being ever
I can speak of experiencing going for a plane ride with Dr. Bruner,and before I could say no to whether to do a loop,we were upside down! Yes he loved flying . He was a great part of Kingsville history.
John, I think Doc did that to you on purpose..lol
Ted
My father Jerry Billing Taught George Aerobatics Doc used to keep his Airplane at our Strip , it was a huge blow to our family when he passed ….
He was a wonderful physician that always showed a caring attitude towards his patients. My grandmother adored him and he was our family doctor until we moved away from the area in 1974.
Dr. George Bruner became our family doctor in 1954 and delivered my three daughters at Leamington Hospital. He continued to be our family doctor until 1970 , when we moved from the area. Our eldest daughter remained in Kingsville and so he remained her doctor and delivered her two sons. He was one in a million. I do remember lying on the couch one day feeling very bad with an infection and the door opened and there was Dr. Bruner, coming to check up on me. He was the best.
I fondly remember Dr Bruner, he was a great doctor and caring man. I miss the good old days!
Enjoyed the article very much thank you
For the first 21 years of my life I had Dr. Bruner as my Dr. I was never afraid to go see him. He he explained everything that was going on with me. And fixed me up in his office and stitched me up in his personal home office. I would sit at lake side park and watch him fly around as well.
I remember everything you talked about him.
Since then I have had Dr. Peter Kelton that took over for Dr. Bruner when he retired and he has just as much care and compassion for his patients.
Dr. Bruner was awesome and he found an awesome replacement.
Thank you 😊
Dr. Kelton may have been the doctor who took over for Dr. Bruner upon his retirement but I can assure you that he doesn’t even come close to being in the same league when in comes to the care and compassion you mention.
Wonderful article about a medical pioneer – very informative!