[Photo: Blast from the Past: Dr. Richard Stanwick giving a presentation at the BC Injury Prevention Conference in 2008.]

After over 25 years working in public health, Dr. Richard Stanwick retired in January 2022. Dr. Stanwick worked as Island Health Authority’s Vice-President, Population Health and Chief Medical Health Officer at the time of his retirement, leading the health authority’s responses to COVID-19 and the opioid overdose crisis. Over the course of his career, his work drew national and international attention—including his successful efforts to ban indoor smoking in the Capital Regional District, and shut down the controversial Montreux eating disorders clinic.

BCIRPU Director Dr. Ian Pike congratulates Dr. Stanwick on his retirement:

Dear Richard,

On behalf of the research staff at the BC Injury Research and Prevention Unit, I would like to wish you my most sincere and well-deserved congratulations on your retirement. I, and many of my colleagues, have had the privilege to work with you in the effort to reduce the burden of preventable injuries in British Columbia. In particular, I wanted to commend you on your leadership at Island Health and as a valued member of the Canadian injury prevention community. Your advocacy, sharp mind, and good humour has resulted innovative programs and policies that have improved safety and saved lives.

We congratulate you on a fabulous career, and wish you every happiness in your retirement.

Sincerely,
Dr. Ian Pike

Dr. Murray Fyfe is serving as Island Health Authority’s interim Chief Medical Health Officer.

Learn more:

  • Dr. Richard Stanwick retires: He pushed for clean-air, clean-drinking-water laws (Times Colonist)