Russell MacDonald

Dr. Russell MacDonald – Brief Biography

Dr. Russell MacDonald is a specialist in emergency medicine, Canada’s first formally trained subspecialist in emergency medical services, and a Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada Diplomat in Prehospital and Transport Medicine.  He also has a Master of Public Health degree.  His expertise includes emergency medicine, prehospital care, critical care and air medical transport, and public health.

He is currently a Full Professor in the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Toronto, Medical Director for Toronto Paramedic Services and Toronto's Central Ambulance Communications Centre, and former Medical Director at Ornge Transport Medicine, Ontario's air medical and land critical care transport program.

Dr. MacDonald has worked in tertiary care teaching centres and held academic appointments in emergency medicine in both Canada and the United States for nearly three decades.  He currently practices emergency medicine at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre in Toronto.

Russell has built a career as an international leader in prehospital and transport medicine.  He is a highly sought consultant and content matter expert, presents at conferences and symposia internationally, and serves on several industry-related boards of directors.  He has more than 200 peer-reviewed publications and is the editor-in-chief of “Emergency Care in the Streets”, Canada’s national paramedic textbook.  He currently chairs the Royal College's AFC Diploma Committee for Prehospital and Transport Medicine and is an Associate Editor for Prehospital Emergency Care, the internationally leading peer-reviewed journal for prehospital care.

He was recognized by his peers internationally with both the Air Medical Physicians’ Association Distinguished Physician Award and the Association of Air Medical Service’s Board Chairman’s Award for lifetime achievement, contribution, and service to the prehospital and transport medicine community.