Congratulations to Dr. Jack Taunton, who was recently appointed to the Order of Canada. Dr. Taunton is a Professor Emeritus in the UBC Faculty of Medicine’s Department of Family Practice, an associate member of the Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health (DMCBH) and co-founder of the BC Brain Wellness Program.
As one of the pioneers in sport and exercise medicine in Canada, he has helped found countless organizations and initiatives including SportMedBC, the Canadian Health and Fitness Institute, the Vancouver Marathon and the Vancouver Sun Run.
Dr. Taunton is also one of the co-founders of the Allan McGavin Sports Medicine Centre at UBC, the first clinic of its kind in Canada, with Drs. Doug Clement and Don McKenzie. As director of the centre for over 25 years, he has worked with athletes as both a doctor and a coach, and with students as a graduate supervisor, clinical teacher and mentor. He has also been actively involved in clinical and exercise medicine research, with a keen interest in overuse injuries, injury prevention, concussion in sports and cardiac disease in athletes.
Throughout his career, Dr. Taunton has also served as a specialist for elite athletes and the general public, as a national team physician and as chief medical officer for numerous Olympics, including the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Vancouver.
In 2019, Dr. Taunton co-founded the BC Brain Wellness Program (BCBWP) with Dr. Silke Appel-Cresswell. The idea of the program was to provide complementary support for people who access the clinics at the DMCBH and their care partners, and outreach to the larger community as a preventative intervention to support healthier aging. Over the past five years, the BCBWP has offered free, evidence-informed exercise and lifestyle classes, both in-person and online, to over 2,000 participants across the province. The program provides education for students and the general public, and conducts research to expand understanding of the brain across diseases and how wellness interventions work.
“Jack’s seemingly boundless energy and perseverance even in the face of health challenges, his vision and passion for exercise, sports and lifestyle interventions, his ability to connect people and successfully set up projects are an enormous inspiration for all of us,” shares Dr. Appel-Cresswell. “He and his wife Cheryl are a true power team and their work of a lifetime continues to benefit people in British Columbia, Canada and around the world. I am honoured and grateful to work with both of them.”
His dedication and innovation have garnered Dr. Taunton many awards and accolades, including the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal, the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Canadian Academy of Sport & Exercise Medicine and induction into the BC Sports Hall of Fame.
Considered one of the country’s highest honours, the Order of Canada recognizes individuals who have enriched the lives of others and made extraordinary contributions to Canadian society. The latest appointments were announced on June 27 by Her Excellency the Right Honourable Mary Simon, Governor General of Canada.
“The Order of Canada recognizes individuals who have made positive and lasting impacts on communities here in Canada or who have brought honour to our country abroad,” said Her Excellency the Right Honourable Mary Simon, Governor General of Canada. “As we progress towards an Order that is reflective of Canada’s full diversity, I encourage all Canadians to nominate individuals who inspire them, from all walks of life and backgrounds. Congratulations to the new appointees and thank you to the nominators who cast a spotlight on their achievement, purpose and exceptional talent.”
