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Leading By Example While Championing Patient Care

January 2, 2025

Meet our 2025 Innovation HSC Radiothon Department Champion: Dr. Stephen Kowalski MD, FRCP(C)

Dr. Stephen Kowalski MD, FRCP(C); Photo courtesy of Doctors Manitoba

After more than 40 years of dedicated service, Dr. Stephen Kowalski has become a fundamental presence at the Health Sciences Centre (HSC).

Over the course of his career, he has mobilized resources, upgraded protocols, and established specialized units, helping to shape Manitoba’s hospital.

“I’ve worked almost my entire career at HSC. We do important, good work here,” says Dr. Kowalski, anesthesiologist, and critical care physician. “We’ve always said that HSC is the ‘can-do’ place. We find ways to help our patients and get things done.”

Originally from Toronto, Dr. Kowalski graduated from the University of Toronto in 1978 and completed his anesthesia residency training program and critical care training in 1983.

Following his training, HSC Winnipeg garnered his attention.

“At that time, there were no official fellowship programs for critical care medicine in Canada.  However, Winnipeg, even 40 years ago, was an acknowledged, innovative centre of critical care medicine,” he explains.

Succeeding a two-year research fellowship in the Respiratory Investigation Unit at HSC, Dr. Kowalski received a staff appointment in the Department of Anesthesia, as well as with the section of Critical Care in the Department of Medicine.

Reflecting on his career of four decades, Dr. Kowalski underscores several paradigms shifts in patient care that were achieved through innovative approaches. These include extending anesthesia involvement with pain management with the Acute Pain Service, “fast-track recovery” for cardiac surgeries, and the creation of specialized units like the Intermediate Intensive Care Unit (IICU) and the anesthesia-staffed Progressive Care Unit.

He has witnessed the employment of countless game-changing medical advancements, including automated blood pressure machines, pulse oximeters, carbon dioxide monitors, ultrasound imaging for nerve blocks and line placement and video laryngoscopes.

“Surgery has become safer because of technology and better monitoring.  Advancements in minimally invasive surgery are incredible,” he says, adding that the HSC Foundation has played an integral part in moving the hospital forward.

“I am a very strong supporter of the HSC Foundation. I’ve been a contributor for many years because I believe the Foundation responds to the needs of the frontline workers,” he says. “The Foundation’s impact is very tangible. Suddenly you have video scopes when you need them. You have patients who are having procedures immediately, as opposed to waiting for weeks or months.”

For Dr. Kowalski, donating to the HSC Foundation is a personal commitment to being part of the solution in his workplace community, ensuring continued advancements and support for frontline health care.

“This is where we live and work. It’s important for me to be involved and to be part of the solution,” he says.

The HSC Department Champion provides a personal lead gift that inspires other HSC clinical leaders to follow suit.

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