David Francis Hardwick (January 24, 1934 – May 15, 2021) was a Canadian researcher in the field of paediatric pathology.[1] Hardwick was involved with the University of British Columbia (UBC) for more than sixty years as a student, professor, and Professor Emeritus.[2]
He began his teaching, research and administrative career at the University of British Columbia in 1963 in the Department of Pathology. In 2001, the University of British Columbia awarded Hardwick an Honorary Doctor of Laws degree.[4] He was Associate Dean, Research and Planning, in the UBC Faculty of Medicine from 1990 to 1996.
Researcher
Hardwick's research included the first description of the histopathologic implications of differential survival of Wilms' tumors to the pathogenesis of L-methionine toxicity.[5] His work in the area of pediatric pathology includes a study of metabolic diseases of childhood. Later studies have focused on the economic effects of clinical laboratory testing. His second book, Directing the Clinical Laboratory, is a summation of his experience in this aspect of research.
Educator
He has been elected as Faculty Advisor to the Medical Advisory Undergraduate Society for 23 consecutive two-year terms.[6] Since the 1960s, Hardwick became Associate Dean of Research and Planning and, on retiring, was invited to stay on as Special Advisor on Planning.[7]
Hardwick worked with the BC Government Ministries of Health Services and Education Advancement to create academic facilities at hospitals and clinics throughout British Columbia. This process began in early 2002 in response to the BC Government's decision to more than double the enrolment of undergraduate students, from 128 per year to 288 per year, and postgraduate residency trainees by a small number.