Dr. J. Earl Wynands O.C., M.D.

Dr. Wynands is recognized as pioneer of cardiac anesthesia in North America. He is also a legend in the development of anesthesia in Canada. Consistent with the unique “Institute” structure of the Heart Institute, he led the Cardiac Anesthesia Division in a manner that resulted with the development of a “dedicated cardiovascular care” division. This facilitated the development of cardiac anesthesia research, cardiac critical care dedicated to cardiac surgical patients, cardiac anesthesia fellowship training, and cardiac peri-operative transesophageal echocardiography.

John Earl Wynands (Earl) is Emeritus Professor of Anesthesiology at the University of Ottawa. Born in Montreal, he is perhaps best known in the cardiac anesthesiology world for his contributions to the care of patients undergoing revascularization of the heart. His seminal article entitled “Coronary Artery Disease and Anesthesia” was published in the Canadian Journal of Anesthesiology in 1967, and was followed by more than 100 publications over the next 30 years, including a series of papers in the 1980s on opioid ‘anesthesia’.

Earl has been a beloved leader throughout his career. He has served as the President of the Canadian Society of Anesthesiologists and President of our own Society of Cardiovascular Anesthesiologists. He received the Gold Medal from the Canadian Society, and the first Distinguished Service Award from the Society of Cardiovascular Anesthesiologists—the highest level of awards from both societies. Wherever he has worked, Earl has been a major resource to his colleagues and students, providing a sympathetic ear, offering wise and compassionate feedback and advice both professional and personal. Anyone with the good fortune to have known Earl realizes they have been touched by a unique and wonderful human being.

In 2008, the SCA establishment the Wynands Education Fund. Earl remains a respected advisor to the Ottawa and the international anesthesia community.