Dr. Thomas Chiang

Dr. Thomas Chiang was born on February 28, 1907, in Yixing, a city near Shanghai, in China. By age 14, he had lost both his parents, and he and his brothers were supported by Christian missionaries.

In 1937, he earned his M.D. at the National Medical College, an American medical school in Shanghai. In 1944, he earned a post-graduate degree in tropical medicine after studying for a year in India on a Fellowship.

When Japan invaded eastern China during the Second Sino-Japanese War (1937-1945), Dr. Chiang was recruited by the Ministry of Health in the Nationalist government. He set up field hospitals and was put in charge of public health of civilians. He was promoted to the position of Deputy Health Minister. Following Japan's surrender in 1945, a civil war between the communists and the nationalists broke out. In 1948, Dr. Chiang left China for New York to act as China's representative at the World Health Organization (WHO). While there he learned of the communist victory and decided to head to Canada. Canada, however, did not recognize his medical degree. As a result, Dr. Chiang had to complete an additional two years of study at the University of Toronto and received his Master's Degree in Public Health Science.

Thomas and Sarah on their wedding day, approx. 1932

Here is text that demonstrates the issue. The captions are now black (they were formerly white) and are hard to read against the dark blue background.
Dr. Chiang with his family on his 40th birthday

Here is text that demonstrates the issue. The captions are now black (they were formerly white) and are hard to read against the dark blue background.
Dr. Chiang holding his godson in Whitehorse, NWT sometime in 1951

Here is text that demonstrates the issue. The captions are now black (they were formerly white) and are hard to read against the dark blue background.
Dr. Chiang reunites with his family after 9 years of separation in 1958

Here is text that demonstrates the issue. The captions are now black (they were formerly white) and are hard to read against the dark blue background.
Dr. Chiang with family in Ohsweken, Ontario, in 1958. His children and wife are wearing qipao that they brought with them from China. (L-R:) son David, daughter Ming, wife Sarah, Dr. Chiang, daughter Ella, and daughter Beryl.

Here is text that demonstrates the issue. The captions are now black (they were formerly white) and are hard to read against the dark blue background.
Members of the Chiang family posing in front of their new Ford automobile before church, summer of 1959. (L-R:) daughters Ella and Cora, son David, daughter Ming, wife Sarah, Dr. Thomas Chiang.

Here is text that demonstrates the issue. The captions are now black (they were formerly white) and are hard to read against the dark blue background.
Dr. Chiang and family, 1962. Front row: daughters Ella and Ming. Back row: son David, Dr. Thomas Chiang, wife Sarah, daughter Cora.

Here is text that demonstrates the issue. The captions are now black (they were formerly white) and are hard to read against the dark blue background.
Dr. Chiang and wife Sarah on her birthday in 1965

Here is text that demonstrates the issue. The captions are now black (they were formerly white) and are hard to read against the dark blue background.
Thomas and Sarah at Niagara Falls in 1970

Here is text that demonstrates the issue. The captions are now black (they were formerly white) and are hard to read against the dark blue background.

After receiving his Masters, Dr. Chiang went to work for the federal government in Indigenous communities, including Whitehorse, Northwest Territories among the Inuit; Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan; and Moose Factory, Ontario. He finally landed a position at Lady Willingdon Hospital in Ohsweken in 1957; he worked there until it closed in 1968.

Also in 1957, Dr. Chiang was reunited with his wife, Sarah, and five of their six children after nine long years of separation.

To recognize him for his years of service, the Six Nations awarded the title of honorary chief to Dr. Chiang.

Thomas and Sarah on their wedding day, approx. 1932

Dr. Chiang with his family on his 40th birthday

Dr. Chiang holding his godson in Whitehorse, NWT sometime in 1951

Dr. Chiang reunites with his family after 9 years of separation in 1958

Dr. Chiang with family in Ohsweken, Ontario, in 1958. His children and wife are wearing qipao that they brought with them from China. (L-R:) son David, daughter Ming, wife Sarah, Dr. Chiang, daughter Ella, and daughter Beryl.

Members of the Chiang family posing in front of their new Ford automobile before church, summer of 1959. (L-R:) daughters Ella and Cora, son David, daughter Ming, wife Sarah, Dr. Thomas Chiang.

Dr. Chiang and family, 1962. Front row: daughters Ella and Ming. Back row: son David, Dr. Thomas Chiang, wife Sarah, daughter Cora.

Dr. Chiang and wife Sarah on her birthday in 1965

Thomas and Sarah at Niagara Falls in 1970