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

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

"The Faculty of Medicine is saddened to hear of the passing of professor emeritus in the Department of Emergency Medicine and pioneer of emergency and paramedicine, Dr. Ron Stewart," said Dean Dr. David Anderson in a note to faculty, staff, and students.  

Born in Sydney Mines, N.S., in 1942, Dr. Stewart’s journey in medicine was one of groundbreaking innovation and tireless service, beginning in the small community of Neil’s Harbour, Cape Breton, where he practiced family medicine.  

Dr. Stewart graduated from Dalhousie Medical School in 1970 and began a career that quickly moved into uncharted territories. His work as the first medical director of the Los Angeles paramedic program laid the foundation for what would become a lifelong passion for transforming emergency care.

Dr. Stewart’s leadership in the field flourished when he became the founding head of the Department of Emergency Medicine at the University of Pittsburgh, where he turned challenges into opportunities for innovation in trauma care and pre-hospital services. 

His career was marked by a keen understanding that health care is an ever-evolving field shaped by societal needs, and he remained committed to driving that transformation. 

Shown left: Dr. Ron Stewart in the early 1990s. (Michael Creagen photo)

As Nova Scotia’s Minister of Health from 1993 to 1996, Dr. Stewart helped establish Emergency Health Services (EHS), revolutionizing paramedic services across the province, and introduced stronger tobacco control.  

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau shared his condolences with Dr. Stewart's family and the people of Cape Breton in a public statement.  

"Dr. Stewart pioneered Nova's Scotia's first unified emergency health services system. His leadership and his humanity saved countless lives and shaped the future of emergency medicine for the better," wrote Trudeau in a message posted on social media platform X.  

Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston said "we have lost a true gentleman" with the passing of Dr. Stewart.  

"His courtly manners, coupled with a brilliant mind and a dogged determination to help people, made him unstoppable. He was a proud son of Nova Scotia who changed the lives of thousands of people for the better," said Houston on X. 

Dr. Stewart's visionary leadership earned him numerous accolades, including being honoured as a “Hero of Emergency Medicine” by the American College of Emergency Physicians and receiving an honorary degree from Dalhousie in 2017.  

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

Despite these honours, Dr. Stewart always credited the mentors and colleagues who shaped his career, notably his early mentor, Dr. Robert Scharf. Dr. Scharf’s influence extended from Halifax to Los Angeles, where the two continued their work together, shaping the future of emergency care through education and mentorship. 

Dr. Stewart believed deeply in the power of education and devoted his later years to training future health-care professionals, ensuring his impact would be felt for generations to come. He served as director of Medical Humanities from 2004 to 2009. In that role, he integrated the arts and history into medical study to promote creativity and empathy in the medical profession, through the Music-in-Medicine initiative.  

(Michael Creagen photo)

Dr. Stewart’s legacy lives on through his philanthropic work, including a $1.3-million pledge to support emergency medicine research at Dalhousie University, inspired by his mother’s dedication to medical research through the Molly Appeal.   

Physician, teacher, advocate, and change-maker, Dr. Ron Stewart was a pioneer whose legacy will continue to inspire a brighter future in health care. He will be remembered for his boundless energy, his transformative ideas, and his unwavering commitment to the health and well-being of others." 

(Danny Abriel photo)

A celebration of life and reception will be held in Halifax on Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2024, in the McInnes Room of Dalhousie’s Student Union Building (6136 University Avenue, Halifax) from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. We hope you can join us in honouring Dr. Stewart’s remarkable life.