The following text may have been generated by Optical Character Recognition, with varying degrees of accuracy. Reader beware!

als — pharmacists and doctors — to reduce the use of stronger ‘second-line’ drugs. The problem with readily prescribing those more powerful antibiotics is that bac- teria quickly develop immunity, so their effectiveness is lost. It’s a huge issue for hospitals: the bacteria spreads and soon can’t be effectively controlled.” Studying 10,000 patient visits and comparing to the prior year, the project showed impressive results. Overall prescriptions declined by 10%, while there was a 29% shift to less potent “first-line” antibiotics. “Port Perry was the perfect location for the initial study,” John says. “The right size to easily spread our message, cooperative enough to respond. The group suc- cessfully repli- cated its impressive results in nine GTA communities, but couldn’t sustain fund- Z. Ironically, the Project drew worldwide accolades. “I spoke in Brussels on behalf of our group at a conference on antibiotic stewardship. They were amazed at what we’d done. e experience sharpened John’s interest in the academic side of medical practice. He incorporated its lessons into teach- ing medical residents at Port Perry Hospital. With an associate, he is currently developing a two-level website tailored to very different audiences with an equal stake in learning. “There’s so much new information rushing at today’s family physicians. It’s our goal, on the website, to make in- formation available in both medical and layman’s terms. The antibiotic study taught me the power of delivering a consistent message to the public and those in the medical community.” The ever-increasing speed of information flow is only one change John has seen over his years of practice. “Technology has provided better diagnostic tools. But there’s a tradeoff: it’s moved us away from using ‘clinical instinct.’ I emphasize the need for that instinctive element in Operating a busy practice and sporting a lengthy resume of advisory board memberships, John finds release from the stresses of a full professional life with a variety of exercise. Today, at 62 years of age, he cycles and regularly meets the challenge of a backyard wave pool. And for more than 35 years, he’s kept a standing squash date at least mornings a week with longtime friend and local dentist, Jack Cottrell. But his hidden passion lies in theatre. John’s trod the boards, and worked backstage, with the local Borelians and Choral Society, earning multiple award nominations from the Ontario Association of Community Theatres. “Being on stage gives me total escape from reality,” he says. “It’s make-believe, just like being a kid again.” John and his wife Barb have two grown sons. Older son Kevin teaches science at a Toronto private school, while Todd, two years younger, flies for Air Canada. John chuckles at the observation that the Stewart family’s medi- cal “dynasty” will end with his generation. “We never pushed our kids in a particular direction. Instead, we encouraged them to be happy with themselves, and they are.” As is John. From the teenager who initially disdained a medical career, he now has no doubt about the wisdom of that choice. “Thave no regrets. It’s been an amazing portunity, to make a difference in people's tives" ” Just like his father did. But years previous, an anonymous hospital patient had sagely predicted that outcome, and unwittingly offered the inspiration for a talented young man to follow his ideal calling. By Scott Mercer Focus on Scugog Next month - Part 4 Dr. Mark Adams and Dr. Nancy Kazarian FOCUS - APRIL 2010 17