Clyde Hertzman
To all faculty, students and staff of the Faculty of Medicine,
I am deeply saddened to report that Clyde Hertzman – Professor in the School of Population and Public Health, and one of the most distinguished and dedicated members of the Faculty of Medicine – has passed away. He died suddenly while in London, U.K.
Clyde’s family and the Human Early Learning Partnership will be holding a “Celebration of Life” in his memory on Sunday, March 17 at the Chan Centre for the Performing Arts on the UBC campus. Guests are welcome at 1 pm, and the program begins at 2 pm.
Clyde, as the Director of the Human Early Learning Partnership and Canada Research Chair in Population Health and Human Development, played a central role in delineating the special role of early childhood development as a determinant of health. Throughout his career, he gathered scientific evidence to show that early life experiences affect a child’s brain and social development, their genes and their ability to thrive. His research has informed initiatives for healthy child development at the international, national, provincial, and community levels.
Clyde, who joined UBC in 1985, has earned some of the country’s highest honours. Less than two months ago, he was appointed to the Order of Canada. In 2010, he was named “Health Researcher of the Year” by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research. He was a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada and the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences.
While it is sobering to contemplate how much work he had left in him, we must take solace in how much Clyde accomplished – not only as a scholar, but also in his personal dealings with friends and loved ones. His energy, enthusiasm and irrepressible spirit were so great as to become an integral part of the Faculty of Medicine’s very identity, and it will leave a permanent imprint on us as individuals, and on our institution. Our thoughts are with his family and close friends, as they cope with this sudden, devastating loss.
UBC has created a tribute page to honour Clyde’s work, and his life, and to provide a way for people to continue his legacy through a new memorial fund established in his memory. I encourage contributions from anyone who has worked with him, or has been inspired by him, or has simply enjoyed his company.
Sincerely,
Gavin Stuart, MD
Dean, Faculty of Medicine
Vice Provost Health, UBC