RIP John McDonald, MD, PhD

[SCI-Nurse]

Such sad news. From the Christopher & Dana Reeve Paralysis Center Facebook page:

From Peter Wilderotter, President and CEO, Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation: It is with a heavy heart that we share the passing of a dear friend and advocate of the paralysis community, John W. McDonald, M.D., Ph.D. From his time as a postdoctoral fellow in the Reeve Foundation Consortium, John was an intellectual powerhouse, but he was best known for his magnetic personality and compassion. It is what set him apart and made him such a remarkable physician to so many individuals living with spinal cord injury. Over the years, he advanced research in spinal cord repair at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine while offering hope to his patients and their families. He embodied the spirit of our dual mission "Today's Care. Tomorrow's Cure" and his absence will be felt across the Foundation. Our hearts go out to his family and friends and hope they take comfort in John's legacy both as a scientist and friend of our community.

https://www.facebook.com/ReeveFounda...type=3&theater

(KLD)

[Curt Leatherbee]

Wow, I just saw this earlier today, I'm shocked. I think he was younger than me (59) and looked great as I remember him. Rest in Peace John. I do remember talking with him some back in the early days of RTI.

[Treeza04]

Oh wow - He was working at Kennedy Krieger Institute, which has ties to Johns Hopkins, a few years ago not sure if he was still there now. Sorry to hear of his passing

[lynnifer]

Many of the new ones won't know him but he was a major player early on in the functional electrical stimulation game.

[GRAMMY]

I first met John in Washington DC on April 14th, 2008 after listening to his presentation on rehabilitative therapy. He was devoted to this work. Thoughts and prayers to all his friends and family.

[Random]

This is just so heartbreaking. I got to enjoy some time with John during the early W2W DC rallies. His great kindness and humor paralleled his commitment to his work. I send my deepest condolences to his family, friends, and colleagues.

[wheelin 48]

he was at washington university in mo when i was there really nice great guy

[Chaz19]

I recall meeting him at the first rally in 2005 and then the subsequent ones. He was always kind to everyone I met and early on a strong proponent of stem cell research (I thought he went to South America for a while). Lost track of his research but he was an early torchbearer of hope.

Sad news.

[lynnifer]

I thought that too - the South American thing to work on monkeys and get around the standards in the US both for animal research and stem cells. Wonder what happened with that.