Dr. John Cowan passed away peacefully in his sleep in Ottawa on 26 June 2024, at the age of 82. Dr. Cowan (Figure) was at the centre of some of the important transformations in Canadian anesthesiology, both nationally and locally in Ottawa. He exemplified devotion to service to the specialty, without seeking personal gain.

John Matthew Cowan, MBChB, FRCPC. Photograph courtesy of Marie Cowan.

He was born in Stockport, a town within greater Manchester, UK, on 8 March 1942, and completed medical school at the Victoria University of Manchester in 1965. As a student, he enjoyed visiting his uncle Derek in Canada. After completing his House Officer year at Salford Royal Hospital and the Manchester Royal Infirmary, he moved to Canada and started his rotating internship at Kingston General Hospital. In 1967, he was enrolled in the anesthesia residency program in Kingston. In 1970, he went to Yale New Haven Hospital, CT, USA, to continue his anesthesia training, and in 1971, to The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada. After obtaining his FRCPC by examination, he went on staff at the Ottawa Civic Hospital in 1972. He retired from practice in 2012.

From 1986 to 1988, Dr. Cowan was the Acting Chief of Anesthesia at the Ottawa Civic Hospital. In preparation for the recruitment of Dr. Earl Wynands as the Chair of the Department of Anesthesia in Ottawa, Dr. Cowan spearheaded the process to form a group practice at the Ottawa Civic Hospital Department of Anesthesia. He valued teamwork and brought together a group of colleagues to help him. Many have credited Dr. Cowan’s ability for teamwork and hard work to make group practice a great success. Dr. Cowan also served on many departmental and hospital committees over the decades to help expand and ensure a strong department, academically, clinically, and most importantly, collegially.

In 1989, Dr. Wynands became Chair of the University of Ottawa Department of Anesthesia, Chief of Anesthesia at the Ottawa Civic Hospital, and Chief of the Division of Cardiac Anesthesia of what now is the University of Ottawa Heart Institute. Dr. John Cowan was then chosen by a selection committee to be Chief of Anesthesia, Main Division, at the Ottawa Civic Hospital, and enabled Dr. Wynands to focus on cardiac anesthesia and the university department, overseeing research and education. Dr. Wynands’ recruitment further catapulted cardiac anesthesia and Ottawa anesthesia to national and international prominence.

Dr. Cowan completed his tenure as the Ottawa Civic Hospital Site Chief in 1995, when a new Site Chief, Dr. Jack Kitts, was appointed. Dr. Cowan ensured that there was a smooth transition, and then took a three-month sabbatical in Scotland, ensuring that the new Site Chief would have the space and freedom to bring in a new era. Dr. Kitts later went on to become the Chief Executive Officer of The Ottawa Hospital. In subsequent years, Dr. Cowan continued to support the department and hospital on committees. After the merger of four hospitals, he continued to play a key role in supporting the road to bring the Ottawa Civic Hospital and Ottawa General Hospital groups closer together.

His service to Canadian anesthesiology spanned decades, starting with the Ontario Medical Association Section on the Anesthesia Tariff Committee, bringing some significant changes to the fee schedule. He served on the Canadian Anesthesiologists’ Society (CAS) Council in various capacities for 16 years, and was President of the CAS in 1997–1998.

During his CAS presidency, some restructuring within the CAS had to be undertaken. Proposals to modernize the CAS logo and motto were brought forward by many. The then Chair of the Image Committee, Dr. Anthony (“Tony”) Boulton, working with Dr. Cowan, tabled a number of proposed changes to be voted on by the membership: the change from “anaesthetists” to “anesthesiologists,” and the adoption of a new logo and motto for the CAS to “Science, Vigilance, Compassion.” Drs John Cowan and Tony Boulton oversaw a very engaged CAS Annual General Meeting in June 1998.

The World Congress of Anaesthesiologists was to be held in Montreal in 2000; and Dr. Cowan was appointed to the World Congress Organizing Committee in 1993, as Treasurer of the 12th World Congress from 1994 to 2001, and as a member of the Finance Committee from 2000 to 2003. He was able to persuade Dr. Angela Enright to take on the Chair of the World Congress Organizing Committee in 1995. Together, Drs Cowan, Boulton, and Lenis, the CAS Presidents respectively for 1997–1998, 1998–1999, and 1999–2000, along with Dr. Enright as Chair of the Organizing Committee, and with Drs David Bevan, David Morison, John Clark, Jean Taillefer, Pierre Limoges, Gordon Sellery, and others, worked feverishly as a close-knit group to ensure the World Congress was a success. Dr. Cowan’s role as the Treasurer for the World Congress was critical in ensuring that it was financially sound but also provided much support for anesthesiologists from lower income countries to attend. The Montreal World Congress was well attended, undoubtedly remains as one of the largest ever, and was truly a proud moment for Canada.

In 2006, Dr. Cowan was conferred the CAS Gold Medal in recognition of his service to the Society. To add to the occasion, Dr. David Skene, a CAS Past President and Dr. Cowan’s friend, was there to make the presentation. As noted by Dr. Skene at the time, “very few would know” about Dr. Cowan’s involvement in the World Congress although he played some very critical roles. In 2015, Dr. Cowan was given emeritus status at the CAS, in honour of his service and contributions to Canadian anesthesiology.

Dr. John Cowan was described by his many colleagues and employees as a compassionate, caring person, and a pleasure to work with. He was renowned for his great sense of humour. On a trip to the UK representing the CAS, he managed to get one of the other CAS officers to wear a kilt at the official function, even though the other officer had no Scottish heritage. Dr. Angela Enright described Dr. John Cowan as a person of great skills and patience, but his sense of humour “helped enormously” in getting things done (personal communication).

Dr. Cowan would say that his family remained his proudest focus. He was devoted to his wife of 56 years, Marie, offering sincere acknowledgements to her and their children in his many speeches at events. He is survived by her; his children, Heather Snelson (with husband Paul) and Matthew Cowan (with wife Jacqueline); his grandchildren, Jack Cowan, Mackenzie Cowan, and Hannah Snelson; his sister Kath; and his numerous nieces and nephews. Dr. John Cowan will be missed by his family and by many others; his example is a benchmark of service; integrity; professionalism; and caring to friends, colleagues, and family.