Canadian Medical Hall of Fame

2011 INDUCTEE Allan Ronald, MD Infectious Disease, Allergy & Immunity, Service Abroad, Leadership in Organizational Development, Patient Care, Health and Medical Education & Training

Born:

August 24, 1938

(Portage la Prairie, Manitoba)

Education:

MD, University of Manitoba (1961)

Awards & Honours:

2013: Member of the Order of Manitoba

2006: Gairdner Foundation Wightman Award

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Picture of Allan Ronald

Played a pivotal role in defining infectious diseases and medical microbiology as specialties in Canada

Portrait of Allan Ronald

An internationally respected expert in infectious disease and a pioneer in HIV/AIDS research and control

After international training, Dr. Ronald returned to Winnipeg in 1968  to set in motion the creation of the Manitoba Infectious Disease Program. It became internationally recognized, and has been acknowledged as Canada's centre of excellence in the research and training of infectious diseases. As part of his commitment to global infectious disease research and treatment, Dr. Ronald assisted the University of Nairobi in creating one of the premiere initiatives in health collaborations between northern and southern institutions: The University of Manitoba/University of Nairobi WHO Research and Training Program in Sexually Transmitted Diseases.

Key Facts

Assisted in providing thousands of Africans with antiretroviral therapy and training in HIV care

Attracted over 80 individuals to Winnipeg for fellowships in infectious disease from 1970-2000

Spent a year in Hong Kong assisting the Infectious Diseases Program that would later oversee that region's SARS epidemic

Served on Medical Research Council/CIHR committees for more than 35 years

Authored more than 500 original articles, book chapters, and reviews

Professional timeline

Impact on lives today

As a mentor of young physicians, Allan Ronald’s limitless enthusiasm and dedication has ensured the advancement of Infectious Disease as a discipline. In particular, as a result of his collaborative efforts with the WHO and the University of Nairobi, his lasting impact can be felt in the over fifty Africans who have earned Masters of PhD programs in sexually transmitted diseases. Through his training of health care workers, countless lives continue to be saved. Back in Canada, his efforts made the University of Winnipeg a premier site for infectious disease education, which has created centres of excellence from which clinician-scientists continue to enhance our knowledge of sexually transmitted infections and treatment.

Picture of Allan Ronald

2023

  • Photo of Alan Ronald walking in procession of Inductees

    Allan Ronald inducted into the Canadian Medical Hall of Fame

    London, Ontario

  • The Ugandan-based Academic Alliance for AIDS Care and Prevention in Africa was established

    Infectious Disease, Allergy & Immunity, Service Abroad

    Dr. Ronald served as a founding member and assisted with the creation of a HIV care program in Kampala. The project now trains more than 5,000 health care workers from 27 African countries.

  • Dr. Ronald began a two-year term as President of the International Society for Infectious Disease

    Through his leadership, he raised the profile of infectious disease research in Canada.

  • Dr. Ronald made many contributions to Winnipeg’s Health Sciences Centre

    Health and Medical Education & Training

    He served as Director of the Department of Clinical Microbiology, Head of Infectious Diseases and Infection Control, and Physician-in-Chief.

  • A trailblazer with exceptional leadership skills, Dr. Ronald became chair of the University of Manitoba's Department of Infectious Diseases

    For five years, he led the Department during which time the research dollars in the Department doubled and a substantial number of new investigators were recruited.

  • Along with Dr. Frank Plummer, Dr. Ronald established an AIDS clinic in Nairobi

    Infectious Disease, Allergy & Immunity, Service Abroad

    The clinic drew researchers from around the world and supported the training of local health workers.

  • Dr. Allan Ronald travelled to Kenya to establish a research program for sexually transmitted infections in collaboration with the University of Nairobi

    Infectious Disease, Allergy & Immunity, Service Abroad

    This collaboration played an important role in improving patient care as well as promoting research.

  • After receiving his doctorate in medicine from the University of Manitoba in 1961, Dr. Ronald pursued post-graduate training

    He travelled to Maryland, Washington and Pakistan for training in Internal Medicine, Infectious Diseases, and Clinical Microbiology.

1961

He exemplifies what it means to be a world citizen.

Additional Resources:

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