Tribute to Dr. Doug Cochrane

With sadness, Health Research BC acknowledges that Dr. Doug Cochrane, a board member until very recently, has passed away. Doug stepped away from the board earlier this month to focus on his health and spend time with his family.

Doug’s contributions to BC and beyond, in so many areas, have improved the lives of countless people and families, and the health system itself. He was well-known, well-loved, and greatly admired.

Doug had a long history with our organization – he initially joined the board of the BC Academic Health Science Network in 2018 and continued to serve after the consolidation that formed Health Research BC. He was a valued board member who brought deep experience, expertise, wisdom and compassion to the table.

In addition to serving on our board, he was active on many other boards: he was board chair of Interior Health Authority, board member of Canuck Place Children’s Hospice, and co-chair of the BC Medical Quality Initiative.

Doug retired from clinical practice in 2017 after a three-decade career as a pediatric neurosurgeon at BC Children’s Hospital and Sunny Hill Health Centre for Children in Vancouver and the Hospital for Sick Children (Sick Kids) in Toronto. During that time, he served in leadership roles supporting BC Children’s Hospital, the Children’s and Women’s Health Centre, the Provincial Health Services Authority and Sick Kids. He chaired the BC Patient Safety Task Force from its inception in 2003 to the creation of the BC Patient Safety & Quality Council (now Health Quality BC) and served as provincial patient safety & quality officer from 2008 to 2019.

Our condolences are with Doug’s family and his many friends and colleagues across BC and Canada. His legacy to our health system will resonate for years to come and he will be truly missed.