The John M. Stewart Scholarship

In 2022, the AUOA board received word of our largest donation yet.

Bequeathed by the late Dr. John M. Stewart––a graduate of Otago Medical School––this remarkable donation will be used to support students studying at Otago for many years to come.

More information can be found on the University of Otago website here.

Applications for the inaugural scholarships closed in February 2024.

About John…

John was born in Dunedin, New Zealand on June 18, 1942, the eldest of three children. He spent his younger years in Taumarunui before attending New Plymouth Boys High School as a boarder. John chose medicine as his career and graduated from the University of Otago with a Bachelor of Medicine and a Bachelor of Surgery in 1966. He completed Internships in Thames and Christchurch hospitals, then completed his residency at Tauranga and Auckland hospitals.  

After completing his education, his first position was at the PW Verco Practice in Adelaide, Australia. He then moved with his wife and two daughters to the United States, accepting a dual position at the Medical College of Wisconsin and at the Milwaukee County General Hospital. Two years later, he moved his family to Caribou, Maine, accepting a position at Cary Medical Center. He worked in Caribou for 35 years, experiencing many radiological changes in technology and equipment, which prompted him to attend additional training and education in CT scanning, MRI, and advanced Ultrasound throughout the country, indicative of the devotion he felt toward his work.

Following a cancer diagnosis in 2004, John was no longer able to work full-time and later fully retired in Palm Beach, Florida. During his time of illness, he participated in several cancer research trials. He always had a dream of doing his part, with the hope of seeing a cure for cancer one day. 

John loved to spend time with his family and was a dedicated father, grandfather, and partner. He had a love of travel, reading and watching British television shows, as well as a huge interest in steam engine trains and airplanes, having learned to fly small planes during his medical training years. John also had a quick wit and was a master of Dad Jokes. He was a wise and humble man throughout his life.