David Francis Hardwick MD, FRCPC, FCAP (January 24, 1934 – May 15, 2021) was a Canadian medical academic and researcher in the field of paediatric pathology. Hardwick was involved with The University of British Columbia (UBC) for more than sixty years as a student, professor, and Professor Emeritus. His research included the first description of histopathologic implications of differential survival of Wilms' Tumors to pathogenesis of L-methionine toxicity and administrative/management research.
The University of British Columbia
In 2001, UBC awarded Hardwick an Honorary Doctor of Laws degree in recognition of his commitment to the principles of academic freedom. In his acceptance speech he spoke of " ...the opportunity to chase one's own rainbow's end...", noting that such opportunity does not exist widely outside the university environment, and exhorting new graduates to do what they can to preserve academic freedom.
Hardwick worked to build connections with multiple institutional entities, and to strengthen connections among different generations of medical practitioners. He spoke publicly of the importance of collegial activity in an article "Our Academy as an Exciting Academic Forum":
As Associate Dean, Research and Planning, in the UBC Faculty of Medicine from 1990 to 1996, Hardwick helped build government relationships that advanced the academic and scientific missions of UBC and its teaching hospitals. In addition, Hardwick also improved relationships between UBC and its teaching hospitals and for establishing teaching and research facilities at these sites. Among those achievements were:
establishment of the first British Columbia Children's Hospital; establishment of the UBC Medical Student and Alumni Centre (MSAC); opened March 17, 1990, dedicated and renamed the William A. Webber Medical Student and Alumni Centre May 5, 2007.
Hardwick served the University and the wider community in many capacities, including
Head, Vancouver General Hospital, Division of Pædiatric Pathology, 1962–1980
Chair, Medical Advisory Committee, Vancouver Children's Hospital, 1970–1987
Chair, UBC Senate Curriculum Committee, 1974–1975
Head, UBC, VGH, Children's Department of Pathology, 1974–1990
Head, Department of Pathology, UBC, 1976–1990
Head, Children's Hospital, Department of Pathology, 1980–1990
Director of Inter-institutional Planning and Associate Dean, Research, Faculty of Medicine, UBC, 1990–1996 Associate Dean, Research and Planning, 1990–1999 President, International Academy of Pathology (IAP), 1993–1994 Special Advisor on Planning, Faculty of Medicine, UBC, 1999–Present Chair, Board of Directors, BC Transplant Foundation, 2000–2001 Chair, Capital Expansion Committee, Medical School Expansion, 2003–2005 Chair, Finance Committee, United States and Canadian Academy of Pathology (USCAP), 2003–2004 Member, Organizing Committee, Asia Pacific International Academy of Pathology (IAP) Congress, 2004–2005 International Secretary, International Academy of Pathology, 2006–2014 International Secretary Emeritus, International Academy of Pathology, 2014–present
Awards
Hardwick's achievements and service include: 1974 Certificate of Merit, Master Teacher Awards, UBC 1994 The University of British Columbia Teaching Excellence Award and Prize 1996 Senior Research Investigator, BC Research Institute for Child and Family Health 1978 Canadian Silver Jubilee Medal, Government of Canada 1987 Faculty Citation Award, The University of British Columbia Alumni Association 1990 Wallace Wilson Leadership Award (1990) UBC 1991 Service Award, President - United States and Canadian Academy of Pathology 1996 Sydney Israels Founders Award, BC Research Institute for Child & Family Health 1997 President's Award for service to The University of British Columbia 2001 Doctor of Laws – Honorary Degree, The University of British Columbia 2001 Honorary Member, International Academy of Pathology, Hong Kong Division 2002 Just Desserts Award, Alma Mater Society, The University of BC 2002 Gold Medal of the International Academy of Pathology (IAP), Washington, D.C. 2003 Senior Member, BC Medical Association 2004 President's Award, US and Canadian Academy of Pathology 2005 Founders of Pædiatric Pathology – Society for Pædiatric Pathology 2007 Lifetime Achievement Award, UBC Alumni Association 1997 Sydney Farber Award, Society for Pædiatric Pathology 2004 The Bartholomew Mosse Centenary Lecture, Rotunda Hospital, Dublin, Ireland 2008 Award of Excellence, The College of Physician & Surgeons, British Columbia 2017 Medical Alumni Association Founder's Award, British Columbia