Today@Dal

The Faculty of Medicine is saddened to hear of the passing of former faculty member in the Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Dr. Edward Victor Rafuse, on November 26, 2023, at the age of 88.

Dr. Rafuse, a dedicated ophthalmologist and eye surgeon, began his career as a physician at the Buchanan Memorial Hosptial in Neil’s Harbour, Nova Scotia, in the early 1960s. He later relocated to Toronto to study ophthalmology, before returning to Halifax in 1968 where he practiced as a comprehensive eye surgeon for over 30 years. He retained a faculty appointment in the Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences until 2011.

Over the years, Dr. Rafuse held various leadership positions including Acting Chair of the Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences at Dalhousie, President of the Medical Society of Nova Scotia (now Doctors Nova Scotia) and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Canadian Medical Association. He was also a founding member of the Atlantic Provinces Ophthalmological Society (now Eye Physicians and Surgeons of Atlantic Canada) and served on the Provincial Medical Board (now the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Nova Scotia), the Canadian National Institute for the Blind (CNIB), among countless other hospital and medical society committees.

An enthusiastic handyman, woodsman, sailor, scuba diver, and recreational pilot, Dr. Rafuse filled his days outside of work with a variety of activities, and travel.

Dr. Rafuse was a highly respected physician and surgeon, whose influence positively impacted the lives of patients, students, and colleagues alike. Dr. Rafuse's legacy stands as a testament to his unwavering commitment to healthcare, leaving an indelible mark on the medical community he so passionately served. He will be dearly missed by all those who knew him.

Read his obituary here.