Dr. Ron Stewart, pioneer of emergency and paramedicine, dies at 82 – Dal News

Dr. Ron Stewart, the Cape Breton-born doctor and Dalhousie professor emeritus whose management in reshaping Nova Scotia’s system of emergency drugs saved many lives, died Monday (Oct. 21) at age 82.  

“The College of Drugs is saddened to listen to of the passing of professor emeritus within the Division of Emergency Drugs and pioneer of emergency and paramedicine, Dr. Ron Stewart,” stated Dean Dr. David Anderson in a word to college, employees, and college students.  

Born in Sydney Mines, N.S., in 1942, Dr. Stewart’s journey in drugs was considered one of groundbreaking innovation and tireless service, starting within the small group of Neil’s Harbour, Cape Breton, the place he practiced household drugs.  

Dr. Stewart graduated from Dalhousie Medical College in 1970 and started a profession that rapidly moved into uncharted territories. His work as the primary medical director of the Los Angeles paramedic program laid the muse for what would grow to be a lifelong ardour for reworking emergency care.

Remodeling well being care

Dr. Stewart’s management within the discipline flourished when he grew to become the founding head of the Division of Emergency Drugs on the College of Pittsburgh, the place he turned challenges into alternatives for innovation in trauma care and pre-hospital companies. 

His profession was marked by a eager understanding that well being care is an ever-evolving discipline formed by societal wants, and he remained dedicated to driving that transformation. 

Proven left: Dr. Ron Stewart within the early Nineties. (Michael Creagen picture)

As Nova Scotia’s Minister of Well being from 1993 to 1996, Dr. Stewart helped set up Emergency Well being Providers (EHS), revolutionizing paramedic companies throughout the province, and launched stronger tobacco management.  

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau shared his condolences with Dr. Stewart’s household and the individuals of Cape Breton in a public assertion.  

“Dr. Stewart pioneered Nova’s Scotia’s first unified emergency well being companies system. His management and his humanity saved numerous lives and formed the way forward for emergency drugs for the higher,” wrote Trudeau in a message posted on social media platform X.  

Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston stated “we have now misplaced a real gentleman” with the passing of Dr. Stewart.  

“His courtly manners, coupled with an excellent thoughts and a dogged willpower to assist individuals, made him unstoppable. He was a proud son of Nova Scotia who modified the lives of hundreds of individuals for the higher,” stated Houston on X. 

A frontrunner acknowledged

Dr. Stewart’s visionary management earned him quite a few accolades, together with being honoured as a “Hero of Emergency Drugs” by the American School of Emergency Physicians and receiving an honorary diploma from Dalhousie in 2017.  

In November 2023, he was elevated to the best tier of the Order of Canada (Companion degree), having beforehand being inducted in 1993. He was invested as a Companion of the Order of Canada on March 14, 2024.  

Regardless of these honours, Dr. Stewart at all times credited the mentors and colleagues who formed his profession, notably his early mentor, Dr. Robert Scharf. Dr. Scharf’s affect prolonged from Halifax to Los Angeles, the place the 2 continued their work collectively, shaping the way forward for emergency care by training and mentorship. 

Dr. Stewart believed deeply within the energy of training and devoted his later years to coaching future health-care professionals, guaranteeing his impression could be felt for generations to come back. He served as director of Medical Humanities from 2004 to 2009. In that position, he built-in the humanities and historical past into medical examine to advertise creativity and empathy within the medical career, by the Music-in-Drugs initiative.  

(Michael Creagen picture)

An unwavering dedication

Dr. Stewart’s legacy lives on by his philanthropic work, together with a $1.3-million pledge to help emergency drugs analysis at Dalhousie College, impressed by his mom’s dedication to medical analysis by the Molly Attraction.   

Doctor, trainer, advocate, and change-maker, Dr. Ron Stewart was a pioneer whose legacy will proceed to encourage a brighter future in well being care. He will probably be remembered for his boundless power, his transformative concepts, and his unwavering dedication to the well being and well-being of others.” 

(Danny Abriel picture)

Honouring Dr. Ron Stewart

A celebration of life and reception will probably be held in Halifax on Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2024, within the McInnes Room of Dalhousie’s Pupil Union Constructing (6136 College Avenue, Halifax) from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. We hope you may be part of us in honouring Dr. Stewart’s exceptional life.