Ronald MacKenzie, M.D. (ANES ’74)

Dr. Ronald A. MacKenzie was born on March 31, 1938, in Detroit, Michigan.  He graduated from Alma College, Alma Michigan, with the BS degree in 1961, after which he attended medical school at the University of Health Sciences, Kansas City, Missouri, from which he received the D.O. degree in 1967.  Dr. MacKenzie served a residency in anesthesiology at Detroit Osteopathic Hospital from 1970 to 1972, at the Cleveland Clinic from 1972 to 1973, and at the Mayo Graduate School of Medicine from 1973 to 1974.  He was certified by the American Board of Anesthesiology in 1978.  Dr. MacKenzie was appointed a consultant at the Mayo Clinic in 1974 and an assistant professor of anesthesiology in the Mayo Medical School in 1976.  He was named head of south section in the Rochester Methodist Hospital in 1984.  He served as chair of the GYN/ENT anesthesia division and vice chair of the Department of Anesthesiology from 1988 to 1998.  Intramurally, Dr. MacKenzie was a member of numerous committees.  He was twice named teacher of the year by the Mayo Graduate School of Medicine.  Extramurally, he served the American Society of Anesthesiologists, first as director, then assistant secretary, secretary, and first vice president (1998), president elect (1999), and president (2000).  He was also active in the Minnesota Society of Anesthesiologists and was its president in 1991.   Dr. MacKenzie retired from the Department of Anesthesiology in 2015 and served as a supplemental consultant from 2015 to 2016.

Dr. MacKenzie, a retired Mayo Clinic consultant in Anesthesiology and former Vice Chair of the Department of Anesthesiology,  died on Sunday, August 21, 2022.

Dr. MacKenzie contributed to our department and specialty over a long and distinguished career. He served in many leadership roles, always exemplifying great respect and dignity.   Many of you will recall how he kindly shared his time and expertise as well as travel stories and amazing photos. He cared deeply for those around him, and we all benefitted from his generosity and insight. Dr. MacKenzie was an exemplary person. He will be greatly missed.

Dr. MacKenzie is survived by his wife, Nancy, and children Margaret and Jim.