Keith began his lifelong loyalty to UBC as an undergraduate student, graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture in 1947. Even at this stage, his leadership skills became evident when he became president of the Men’s Athletic Directorate and took a position on student council.

Keith couldn’t afford medical school in 1947, and so became British Columbia’s first public health educator. He went on to obtain his master’s degree in public health from the University of North Carolina, and then worked for the World Health Organization in Sarawak, Borneo, and Taiwan. But his desire to become a physician led him back to UBC, and he graduated with his MD in 1960, as president of his graduating class.

For forty-two years, Keith practiced family medicine on Vancouver’s West Side. The former rugby player took on the role of unofficial Meraloma Rugby Club doctor after regularly “patching up” players at his home on weekends. He became a clinical professor of family medicine at UBC in 1990, mentoring many students through their family practice placements.

On his eightieth birthday, his children and their families surprised him by establishing a scholarship in his name at UBC. Georgina MacDonald, Keith’s daughter-in-law has said, “We know how important UBC’s been to Keith and how dedicated he’s been to UBC. This scholarship was a fitting way to honour his long career – as a clinical professor and as the consummate family practitioner.”

Keith passed away in October, 2011.

On Keith’s eightieth birthday, his children and their families surprised him by establishing a scholarship at UBC. The D. Keith MacDonald Scholarship in Family Medicine is awarded to an MD student who has demonstrated leadership skills and an aptitude for family medicine.

Supporting students was close to Keith’s heart. In 2006, he was instrumental in raising funds for a bursary established by his graduating class, motivated by the memories of the challenges he himself faced as a student when he wanted to be a doctor but had few financial resources. He has been quoted as saying, “Studying medicine is very, very expensive. Some very bright kids just can’t afford it, and that would be a disaster.”

Your memorial gift will honour Keith’s memory and provide invaluable financial support for an MD student who shares Keith’s passion for and commitment to family medicine.