In Memoriam: Keith Brownell, Cumming School of Medicine

The Cumming School of Medicine is mourning the passing of professor emeritus Dr. Keith Brownell, MD. He was 83.

Brownell is remembered as a neurologist, teacher, education and physician leader, student advocate, and medical ethicist among other roles.

In 1975, he became an assistant professor and just the second academic member of the Division of Neurology at the University of Calgary’s Faculty of Medicine (now Cumming School of Medicine). He set up Calgary’s first muscle pathology laboratory and integrated medical education into the lab.

Brownell retired in June of 2015 after 40 years practising general and neuromuscular neurology including a distinguished career teaching medical students and residents in the departments of Clinical Neurosciences and Internal Medicine.

His career included a sabbatical at Laval University in medical professionalism and ethics, which was an area of interest throughout his career.

Born on the family farm in Lemieux, Ont., Brownell came from humble beginnings to enrol in medical school at Queen’s University at age 16. He then pursued neurology with a residency at the University of Michigan and fellowship in muscle disease at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota.

A celebration of his life is scheduled for May 12, 2025 at 2 p.m. at Edenbrook Funeral Home.

Memorial donations in Brownell's honour may be made to the Elizabeth "Libby" Brownell Leadership Award Endowment at the University of Alberta, Augustana Campus. Link to donate here.

(Additional donation instructions: After clicking the page, click on “I’d like to search for a different option.” Then type “Libby” in the search bar to direct the funds to the Elizabeth (Libby) Bownell Leadership Award Endowment Fund.)

More info available at Dr. Keith Brownell’s full obituary here.