Ernie Ruiz, MD

It is with heavy heart and profound sadness to report that Ernie Ruiz, MD — a founding member of the CALS Program — passed away after a valiant battle with cancer on Friday, November 6, 2020.

For those who didn’t know Dr. Ruiz, he was the father of Emergency Medicine and started the Emergency Medicine Residency at Hennepin Healthcare – HCMC — and part of the Team that started the CALS program and Benchmark Lab. CALS will always be so thankful for all he has taught all of us and the legacy he created in Emergency Medicine and the importance of the ED team in caring for patients.     Dr. Ruiz valued all members of the ED team and the Stabilization Room model, Ruiz Cric hook, and aortic compressor are some of his legacy!   He was also one of the kindest men and amazing physicians.   — Karie Pearce, CALS Chair

Ernie was a terrific physician and educator. He was the father of Emergency Medicine. During my time as a medical student and resident at HCMC in the 1970’s, his example as a nonjudgmental attending physician, gave me confidence to explore and investigate new areas  of medicine which became useful for me as I began practice in the rural communities of our state. He did not seek fame or glory. I have always felt that his true impact upon emergency medicine, nationally, was under estimated.  — Michael Wilcox, MD, CALS Board

We all feel such a loss with Ernie’s passing.  We all have our fond memories of what Ernie Ruiz taught us and his warm gentle mannerisms.  His has left us with much knowledge and skills that has written a legacy  which thousands of patients continue to benefit from.  May we continue to carry forward and use all that Ernie has left with us. — Darrell Carter, CALS Board

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