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Chief medical officer receives lifetime achievement honor

Dr. Richard Stanwick feted by Canadian Pediatric Society
Dr. Richard stanwick
Dr. Richard Stanwick will receive the Lifetime Membership Award from the Canadian Pediatric Society

When it comes to promoting and protecting kids’ health, Dr. Richard Stanwick’s efforts are hard to match.

From advocating for smoke-free air, to helmet safety standards, to setting guidelines for scald injury prevention, his dedication to advancing the health of children has been recognized by his peers.

Next month, Stanwick will receive the Lifetime Membership Award from the Canadian Pediatric Society.

“Dr. Stanwick has contributed an impressive body of work which has had a significant impact on the lives of children and families on Vancouver Island, and this award aptly recognizes him for that achievement” said Dr. Perry Kendall, B.C. provincial health officer.

The Canadian Pediatric Society Lifetime Membership Award makes Stanwick one of few Canadians to hold lifetime memberships in two distinct professional organizations. He also holds lifetime membership status in the Canadian Public Health Association, where he has been recognized for making significant contributions to the advancement of public health.

“As Island Health’s long-serving chief medical health officer, Stanwick is a tireless advocate for public health, most notably for the safety of children.  As a pediatrician, he is very deserving of this award and we are very proud that he is being recognized by his peers in this way. ” said Dr. Brendan Carr, Island Health CEO.

Recently, the UBC School of Population and Public Health awarded him their George Elliot Award for lifetime achievement in public health.

Stanwick has fellowships in pediatrics and public health, working tirelessly in both fields. Early in his public health career, he served as the provincial epidemiologist in Manitoba, where in 1990 he became medical health officer for the city of Winnipeg.

Stanwick was the medical health officer for the Capital Regional District from 1995 to 1997, a position that expanded to include director of research when the function amalgamated to the Capital Health Region in 1997.

The Canadian Pediatric Society will hold tits 91st annual conference in Montréal, from June 25 to 28.