John W. Canady M.D. '80, Doctor of Science

Published:

June 01, 2008

John W. Canady M.D. '80 received an honorary Doctor of Science at Grinnell College Commencement 2008.

Much as we might like to believe that looks don't matter, children with cleft lip know it's not true. This common birth defect not only makes facing the world a challenge, it can also make a child more susceptible to colds, hearing loss, speech defects, and dental problems. A relatively inexpensive surgical procedure can repair the cleft — but for some families, "relatively inexpensive" can be completely out of reach.

For children like these, Canady '80 is a true hero.

Canady is the director of the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics Cleft Lip/Palate Program. As a physician, he specializes in craniofacial surgery, cosmetic surgery, and head and neck plastic surgery. For 13 years, he has performed free surgeries for underprivileged children and young adults in developing countries, including El Salvador and "Operation Smile" trips to the Philippines to provide charity surgery. He and other volunteers often work under dangerous and challenging conditions; his team sometimes perform more than 150 surgeries in less than a week.

Closer to home, he has directed several University of Iowa child health care clinics throughout Iowa, offering diagnostic evaluations of children with cleft lips or palates.

In the early '90s, he performed life-altering surgery on a talented child violinist from Russia, Julia Sakharova, whose cleft lip had interfered with a promising future. After the surgery, she went on to an acclaimed musical career throughout Europe.

Canady was educated at Grinnell College and the University of Iowa, where he completed a residency in otolaryngology. His residency in plastic surgery was completed at the University of Kansas Hospital in Kansas City. He is a professor in the Department of Plastic Surgery and Otolaryngology at University of Iowa Health Care.

For his unswerving dedication to the health and well-being of children, Grinnell College is proud to honor Dr. John Canady.