- Email: [email protected]
Ralph James Schneider, MD, CM, FRCSC
PROFILE
Ralph James Schneider, MD, CM, FRCSC
D
r. Ralph James Schneider is professor of ophthalmology at the University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon. He was born in Regina. He completed medical school at Queen's University, Kingston, Ont., in 1958, where he was inspired by Dr. David Rosen to enter ophthalmology. Following an internship at Toronto General Hospital, he took his ophthalmology residency in Saskatoon, obtaining his FRCSC in 1963. Ralph then did travelling fellowships in Boston, New York, Baltimore and St. Louis, concentrating on retinal detachment surgery. On returning to Saskatoon he was appointed to the faculty of the Royal University Hospital. In addition to a busy retina clinic, Ralph shouldered much of the strabismus work and practised the entire spectrum of ophthalmology, from orbital surgery to corneal grafting. He has dedicated much of his career to the prevention and treatment of diabetic eye disease and maintains a strong interest in ocular pathology. An outstanding element of Ralph's curriculum vitae is his commitment to service. From 1963 to 1990 he was one of the only retinal surgeons in northwestern Saskatchewan. He was president of the Canadian Ophthalmological Society in 1988-89, and from 1974 to 1980 was associate editor of the Canadian Journal of Ophthalmology. He has been part of the test committee of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada since 1974. From 1980 to 1984 Ralph was chair of the Department of Ophthalmology at the University of Saskatchewan. In 1987 he was chair of the Eye Section for the Saskatchewan Medical Association. He has been a consultant for the Canadian Medical Protective Association. He also found time to be president of his hospital Medical Staff Association and has served on numerous hospital committees. Over the years Ralph has helped raise over a half million dollars for the University of Saskatchewan ophthalmology department. His influence helped his department obtain the first ophthalmic argon laser in Canada, in 1971. Ralph has had a remarkably busy academic career. He has published articles on such diverse topics as retino-cochlear-cerebral vasculitis, transillumination anatomy of the surgical angle and familial amyloidosis. He has taught at least 41 Saskatchewan ophthalmology residents since 1964, and his teaching ability was formally acknowledged with a prestigious Excellence in Teaching Award from the Professional Asso-
304
CAN
J OPHTHALMOL-VOL. 36, NO.5 2001
Dr. Ralph Schneider at work.
ciation of Interns and Residents of Saskatchewan. He was integral in many of the continuing medical education courses for the COS. He has been a regular presenter at the Canadian Ophthalmic Pathology Society and a member of the Western Retina Study Club. Ralph met Marg, his wife of 34 years, while she was working as an administrative assistant at the University of Saskatchewan. They have two children, Joan and Michael, and one grandchild, Jacob. Marg now works part-time for a travel agency. Joan works in the Department of International Studies at the University of Toronto, and Michael is a bond broker in New York. Ralph enjoys tennis and was past president of his local racquet club. He enjoys listening to music and has been a board member of the Saskatoon Symphony Society. He is also an avid photographer. When asked what advice he would give to younger ophthalmologists, Ralph reminds us: "Don't delay any action to achieve your goals." That philosophy has served him well in a long and distinguished career that has done much for the betterment of his colleagues and patients.
Edsel lng, MD, FRCSC Windsor, Onto
Ralph James Schneider, MD, CM, FRCSC
D
r. Ralph James Schneider is professor of ophthalmology at the University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon. He was born in Regina. He completed medical school at Queen's University, Kingston, Ont., in 1958, where he was inspired by Dr. David Rosen to enter ophthalmology. Following an internship at Toronto General Hospital, he took his ophthalmology residency in Saskatoon, obtaining his FRCSC in 1963. Ralph then did travelling fellowships in Boston, New York, Baltimore and St. Louis, concentrating on retinal detachment surgery. On returning to Saskatoon he was appointed to the faculty of the Royal University Hospital. In addition to a busy retina clinic, Ralph shouldered much of the strabismus work and practised the entire spectrum of ophthalmology, from orbital surgery to corneal grafting. He has dedicated much of his career to the prevention and treatment of diabetic eye disease and maintains a strong interest in ocular pathology. An outstanding element of Ralph's curriculum vitae is his commitment to service. From 1963 to 1990 he was one of the only retinal surgeons in northwestern Saskatchewan. He was president of the Canadian Ophthalmological Society in 1988-89, and from 1974 to 1980 was associate editor of the Canadian Journal of Ophthalmology. He has been part of the test committee of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada since 1974. From 1980 to 1984 Ralph was chair of the Department of Ophthalmology at the University of Saskatchewan. In 1987 he was chair of the Eye Section for the Saskatchewan Medical Association. He has been a consultant for the Canadian Medical Protective Association. He also found time to be president of his hospital Medical Staff Association and has served on numerous hospital committees. Over the years Ralph has helped raise over a half million dollars for the University of Saskatchewan ophthalmology department. His influence helped his department obtain the first ophthalmic argon laser in Canada, in 1971. Ralph has had a remarkably busy academic career. He has published articles on such diverse topics as retino-cochlear-cerebral vasculitis, transillumination anatomy of the surgical angle and familial amyloidosis. He has taught at least 41 Saskatchewan ophthalmology residents since 1964, and his teaching ability was formally acknowledged with a prestigious Excellence in Teaching Award from the Professional Asso-
304
CAN
J OPHTHALMOL-VOL. 36, NO.5 2001
Dr. Ralph Schneider at work.
ciation of Interns and Residents of Saskatchewan. He was integral in many of the continuing medical education courses for the COS. He has been a regular presenter at the Canadian Ophthalmic Pathology Society and a member of the Western Retina Study Club. Ralph met Marg, his wife of 34 years, while she was working as an administrative assistant at the University of Saskatchewan. They have two children, Joan and Michael, and one grandchild, Jacob. Marg now works part-time for a travel agency. Joan works in the Department of International Studies at the University of Toronto, and Michael is a bond broker in New York. Ralph enjoys tennis and was past president of his local racquet club. He enjoys listening to music and has been a board member of the Saskatoon Symphony Society. He is also an avid photographer. When asked what advice he would give to younger ophthalmologists, Ralph reminds us: "Don't delay any action to achieve your goals." That philosophy has served him well in a long and distinguished career that has done much for the betterment of his colleagues and patients.
Edsel lng, MD, FRCSC Windsor, Onto