Dr Jack Taunton
PROFILE
He is a Professor Emeritus in the UBC Faculty of Medicine, Division of Sports Medicine. Was the director and co-founder of the Allan McGavin Sports Medicine Centre. Has been a mentor and educator in sport and exercise medicine and was one of the first to receive recognition by the Canadian College of Family Physicians.
Richmond Roots Jack’s two daughters were born and raised in Richmond where the family resided for 31 years. Jack ran and coached for Kajaks and was actively involved in the community. In 1977, Dr. Taunton and Dr. Doug Clement, co-founded the Terra Nova Sports Medicine Centre.
Did You Know Went to SFU in 1965 as a math and history major and switched with no prior thought to medicine in 1972 at UBC.
Barriers Overcome Jack had polio at the age of 6 and didn’t start his athletic career until age 15. He struggled in school with dyslexia but his tenacious will to succeed allowed him to reach the top of his profession as a sport and exercise physician.
MAJOR ACHIEVEMENTS
Recognition Has received many accolades including: Commemorative Medal - Government of Canada for community service, Queen’s Diamond Jubilee, Doctors of BC Silver Medal of Service, Canadian Academy of Sport & Exercise Medicine Medal of Service for exceptional & outstanding contribution to the advancement of sport & exercise medicine in Canada.
All Awards
| Year | Award | Detals |
|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Fred Dietrich Special Athletic Award - Simon Fraser University | For service to the Athletics Department |
| 1983 | Outstanding Alumnus Award | Professional Achievement, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC |
| 1993 | Canadian Commemorative Medal Government of Canada | For the 125th Anniversary of the confederation of Canada in recognition of significant contribution to compatriots, community and to Canada |
| 2000 | Sport Medicine and Science Council of Canada | Sport medicine – working for Canadian athletes to have excellent sport medicine coverage at all levels |
| 2006 | Honorary Lifetime membership | Honorary Lifetime membership for long term contribution to SportMed BC |
| 2010 | BC College of Family Physicians – Exceptional Contribution to Family Medicine | Awarded for making a contribution above the norm to Family Medicine in BC |
| 2010 | UBC Alumni – Outstanding Faculty Community Service Award | Service to the University and community |
| 2012 | Inducted into the BC Athletic Sports Hall of Fame | BC Athletics Hall of Fame |
| 2014 | Inducted into the Simon Fraser University Sports Hall of Fame | Simon Fraser University Hall of Fame |
| 2014 | Inducted into the BC Sports Hall of Fame | BC Sports Hall of Fame |
| 2015 | Lifetime Achievement Award from Canadian Academy of Sport & Exercise Medicine | For achievement in sport and exercise medicine, academic, research, clinical and on field coverage for sport at all levels |
| 2016 | Wallace Wilson Leadership Award from UBC Medical Alumni Association | For Leadership in the field of medicine |
| 2017 | Doctors of BC Silver Medal of Service | Association’s highest honour – outstanding contributions to medicine |
| 2018 | Canadian Academy of Sport & Exercise Medicine Medal of Service for exceptional and outstanding contribution to the advancement of sport and exercise medicine in Canada |
Championship Jack served at eight Olympics with two as a Chief Medical Officer (CMO), four Pan American games with two as a CMO, and five University Games with two as a CMO.
Championships
| Year | Achievement | Details |
|---|---|---|
| 1971 | Co-founded the James Cunningham Seawall Race | Race commemorating the completion of the seawall in Stanley Park |
| 1972 | Co-founded the Vancouver Marathon | |
| 1979 | Co-founded Allan McGavin Sports Medicine Centre | Started as BC Sports Medicine Centre – the first integrated sport medicine centre in Canada with Primary Care, Orthopaedics, Physiotherapy and Research under one roof |
| 1985 | Co-founded the Vancouver Sun Run | |
| 2006-2010 | Chief Medical Officer Vancouver Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games | |
| 2012 | Awarded Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal | Honoured by the Lieutenant Governor for significant contributions and achievements by Canadians |
| 2012-2015 | Co-founded UBC Grand Prix of Cycling | Pro-Am cycling event on the campus at UBC |
| 2016 | Chair POCO Grand Prix | Pro-Am cycling event in Port Coquitlam |
| 2016 | Chief Medical Officer IOC affiliated 1st Regional Masters Games, Vancouver | American’s Masters Games was a multi-sport games |
SPORTING HISTORY
Career Stats
| Year | Team / Organization | Highlight |
|---|---|---|
| 1979-2006 | Women’s Team Physician and Association Coordinating Physician for Field Hockey Canada | |
| 1979-2018 | Worked at Allan McGavin Sports Medicine Centre/ University of BC | |
| 1983-2000 | CMO for Canada at the Sydney Olympics, two Pan American and two World Student Games. | Working with the Canadian athletes & coaches and with the excellent sport medicine practitioners of Canada |
| 1988-1990 | President of the Sports Medicine Council of Canada | |
| 1995-2001 | Team Physician for the Vancouver Grizzlies NBA Team during its time in Vancouver | |
| 2006-2010 | Chief Medical Officer (CMO) for Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games |
Contribution to Richmond Sport Has published over 150 peer reviewed articles. Was the Chief Medical Officer for the 2010 Olympic & Paralympic Games. Team doctor for Canadian field hockey and attended numerous tours, championships, tournaments, Pan Am and Olympics.