About Otto Schaefer
Lived 1919 – 2009 (aged 90). Otto Schaefer was a physician.
Otto Schaefer, (October 2, 1919 – November 2, 2009) was a German-Canadian doctor (MD) known for his work with Inuit in Canada. Dr. Dr. h. c. Schaefer is considered one of the great pioneers of Arctic medicine, who authored over 100 papers on Northern health, and was one of the founders of the "circumpolar health movement".
Life Schaefer, originally Schäfer, was born in Betzdorf, Germany, and had six brothers and two sisters. He studied at the University of Heidelberg, graduating in 1944. He came to Canada in 1951.
From 1964 until 1985, Schaefer was the director of the Northern Medical Research Unit. He founded the Canadian Society for Circumpolar Health, and published over 100 papers on Arctic health.
Schaefer was a member of the Order of Canada (1976) and was recognized by a number of honours including awards from the Province of Alberta and government of the Northwest Territories, and honorary degrees.
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Important facts
Contemporaries
People whose lives overlapped Otto Schaefer's
Frequently asked questions
Who was Otto Schaefer?
physician (1919-2009)
When was Otto Schaefer born?
Otto Schaefer was born on 2 October 1919.
When did Otto Schaefer die?
Otto Schaefer died on 2 November 2009.
What was Otto Schaefer's occupation?
Otto Schaefer was a physician.
Sources & further reading
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Otto Schaefer. https://biography.guide/otto-schaefer/
MLA: "Otto Schaefer." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/otto-schaefer/.
Chicago: "Otto Schaefer." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/otto-schaefer/.
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