Dr John Blatherwick: Public Health for the Senior Generations.

Dr John Blatherwick was one of Canada's trailblazing leaders in public health and was the longest-serving medical health officer in Canada when he retired in 2007. As the medical health officer for Vancouver Coastal Health, he has been the moving force behind a number of important programs, especially those involving youth, people with disabilities, people living with AIDS, combating drug addictions, and the move to abolish smoking in the workplace.

He also served in the Canadian Forces over a period of 50 years, first in the Governor General’s Foot Guards in Ottawa at age 16, the Royal Canadian Air Force in Edmonton, the Royal Canadian Medical Corps in Calgary and for 29 years with the naval reserves at HMCS Discovery retiring as the Senior Naval Reserve Medical Advisor

He has been awarded the Order of Canada, the Order of British Columbia, the Queens Jubilee Medal, and the Order of St. John,  for his work in public health and service in the Canadian Forces.