In Memory of Don Hedges
It is with profound sadness that the Department of Biomedical Physiology and Kinesiology announces the passing of Dr. Donald “Doc” Hedges.
From 1984 through 2015 Don taught BPK 241 Sports Injuries at Simon Fraser University every semester. In that time, he instructed over 4,500 students, each of whom he saw as unique and precious. Don was extremely proud to mentor 24 of those students into the medical fraternity. His impact on all his students is immeasurable.
“Doc” had been in private practice from 1985 until 2020, specializing in addictions medicine. He was recognized as an expert in addiction medicine by the Supreme Court of British Columbia, the British Columbia Court of Appeals, and the B.C. Human Rights Tribunal.
In addition, Don was the team physician for the professional Vancouver Whitecaps for 22 years. Dr. Hedges was also the team physician for the Burnaby Lake Rugby Club, the New Westminster Hyacks football team, the Coquitlam Adanacs of the Western Lacrosse Association, three Junior "A" lacrosse teams and the Vancouver Stealth of the National Lacrosse League (and was team physician for their predecessors, the Vancouver Ravens). Don also served as team physician at several events for Rugby Canada. Since 1998 Dr. Hedges served as team physician for Team Canada Lacrosse including at four World Championship tournaments. In October of 2011 he was inducted in the Builders category into the Canadian Lacrosse Hall of Fame and in 2018 was inducted into the Coquitlam Sports Hall of Fame. Don was a member of the Canadian Academy of Sports and Exercise Medicine (CASEM) which, in 2013, named him "Canadian Community Sports Physician of the Year".
Dr. Donald Hedges will be greatly missed by the BPK department, as well as everyone who had the pleasure of spending time with him.
“No words except awe and gratitude for living here”.
Dr. Donald Hedges, 2019
In the news
Lacrosse community mourns the passing of a Coquitlam legend
Tricity News - Dec 31, 2022
Obituary: Lacrosse community mourns death of ever helpful Dr. Don (Doc) Hedges
The Province - Jan 2, 2023
Tributes
I met Dr Donald Hedges in the fall of 1978 when he took my Kin 442, he graduated in 1979 and started a master's program. During that time he took his MCATs and went to medical school at UBC. He attributed the little push for medical school to Dr Laura Jensen who taught him anatomy Kin 326.
After graduating from medical school, he specialized in sports medicine and drug addiction. He helped a lot of people get off drugs, and helped incredible number of students to become doctors. He dedicated his life to his students and patients. In addition, he was a sincere friend.
Since he was intellectually gifted person, he was able to undertake many hobbies. He loved music, food from all over the world, read voraciously, and travelled.
Parveen Bawa
I have a very fond memory of him. He was my instructor for Sports Injuries (what we offer here as KIN 240 and 440). I liked him and that material so much that I did the First Responders course offered by St John's Ambulance to get more hands-on training. I worked for a football team in Richmond for a number of years and did one of my Co-op placements as the trainer and first aid person. That was all because of Don Hedges.
Kelvin Jones
To say Doc was a legend is an understatement. He was dearly love by so many of our students. He was a kind person through and through, always asking about the department, our alumni and our students. I would often walk with him to the start of his class just to catch up. He always made time to visit with me and ask about myself and my family. He was incredibly genuine and always had a few good jokes up his sleeve too.
I am grateful for the many conversations I had with him over the years.
Darleen Bemister