Dr Gavin Shaw who died on 11 November 2007 at the age of 88 was one of Glasgow's best known physicians and made immense contributions to cardiac research, to the development of cardiological services in the city and to medial education especially in the postgraduate field.
He graduated in science and medicine in Glasgow and apart from military service between 1943 and 1946 his career was entirely spent in that city. His career post was as consultant physician and cardiologist in the Southern General Hospital and for a time he also undertook the duties of acting dean of postgraduate medicine.
The culmination of his postgraduate activities came with his election as president of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow from 1978 to 1980. He had been the College honorary secretary for eight years from 1957 and was very much involved then in its change of status from Faculty to College.
In cardiology, Dr Shaw's contribution was in the development of cardiac pacemakers and resuscitation. He established the coronary care unit in the Southern General and encouraged similar developments throughout the city and region. An active clinical collaboration was established with pioneering Mearnskirk group of cardiac surgeons led by Mr R S Barclay. His unique contribution to postgraduate medicine was a series of television broadcasts which amounted to about 70 programmes transmitted from 1963 onwards.
At a personal level he was a most delightful colleague, a ready provider of sound advice on all professional matters and e source of great strength to a hospital emerging from a Poor Law past and endeavouring to provide clinical excellence in an area of considerable social deprivation.