About Dr. Jack Taunton
Dr. Jack Taunton crossed his last finish line with his family by his side on October 23, 2024, after a courageous battle with cancer.
From a young age, Jack understood the pivotal role physical activity and an encouraging support system play in people’s lives. A life-altering polio diagnosis and serious car accident as a teenager cultivated in Jack an interest in medicine—one that would later blossom into a career in sports and exercise medicine defined by community and service.
Jack met Cheryl, the love of his life, at SFU and they were married in 1969. Together they formed an incredible team that would go on to accomplish great things and form lasting friendships over the next six decades.
A proud alum of the UBC Faculty of Medicine, Jack laid the groundwork for a lasting impact on sports medicine. Motivated by the desire to create community through running, he co-founded Canada’s first road running club, the Lions Gate Road Runners, and later helped launch the BMO Vancouver Marathon. Jack and Cheryl were two of the core founders of the beloved Vancouver Sun Run, which has grown into one of North America’s largest 10K races, drawing tens of thousands of participants annually.
With a keen interest in mobilizing the latest research to optimize performance and recovery, Jack served as team physician for numerous national and international teams, including Field Hockey Canada and the Vancouver (now Memphis) Grizzlies. Jack has also treated many UBC Thunderbird student-athletes over the years. As Chief Medical Officer for the Vancouver Olympic and Paralympic Games, he led a medical team that received rare praise from the International Olympic Committee in 2010 for delivering the best medical services in Olympic history.
Jack believed in inspiring and investing in the next generation through education and mentorship. He was an outspoken advocate for student-athletes and a staunch follower of UBC athletics, where he served as team doctor for decades.
Read MoreThe impact of your support
Jack and Cheryl made their mark across Canada as community builders and passionate advocates for athletics. With a legacy of transforming health for everyone through the intersection of sport and science, Jack and Cheryl’s careers reflected their belief in the power of mentorship, teamwork and service.
Jack’s family invites you to support the Dr. Jack Taunton Memorial Fund. It is their wish to create an award for students to help propel future practitioners, innovators and advocates of sport and exercise medicine, all with the aim of continuing Jack and Cheryl’s inspiring legacy. Final decisions on the terms of the fund will be made by UBC in consultation with the family.
Together, we can continue creating spaces and opportunities for people to pursue their passion, improve their physical performance and build communities for health.
Read MorePhotos of Remembrance
List of Donors
All Donors-
Steven MacCarthy
-
Max & Jan Grace
-
David Wilson
-
Doug Perks
-
Michael Bentley
-
Denise
-
Derek and Helen Mackesy
-
Anonymous Donation
-
Kristen Taunton
-
Allan McGavin Sport Medicine Physiotherapy
-
Andrea Reid
-
Dr Borys Flak