Ronald Ollstein, M.D.
1934 - 2010

Dr. Ronald Neil Ollstein died on December 30, 2010 in Newark, Delaware at the age of 76. He was born in 1934 in Brooklyn, New York, and graduated from Cornell University Medical College. Dr. Ollstein was trained in general and plastic surgery at the Columbia-Presbyterian Medical Center. He was named chief of the Burn Section, Department of Surgery, at Harlem Hospital, where he created New York City’s first Burn Center. In 1968 he joined the Department of Surgery, Section of Plastic and Hand Surgery at St. Vincent’s Hospital and Medical Center where he was appointed Chief of Service in 1973 in which role he served with distinction until his retirement in 1996.While at St. Vincent’s Hospital he was an early proponent of reconstructive microsurgery.

He was a founding member of the American Burn Association, Chairman of the Information Council on Fabric Flammability, and served on the National Advisory Committee of the Council for the Fabrics Flammability Act. His early work became a classic in establishing the nation’s flammability safety standards for clothing. He also chaired the Ethics Committee of the American Association for Plastic Surgeons, was elected President of the Jerome P. Webster Society of Plastic Surgery and served on the Board of Directors of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. In 2001 he received the St. Vincent’s de Paul Distinguished Physician Award from St. Vincent’s Hospital. In 2006 he authored the book on St. Vincent’s modern history entitled “Mission, Matrix and Money”.

He left a legacy of tireless, meticulous, and compassionate patient care. He mentored numerous surgical residents who continued on to plastic surgical residencies. Finally, he was an endlessly loyal supporter of the Plastic and Hand Surgical Staff at St. Vincent’s Hospital.

He is survived by his wife Dr. Louise A. Restak and a son, Bruce Ollstein.

Robert Grant, MD
Aron Kressel, MD