Dr. Peter John Fowler, MD’64, visionary sports activities drugs pioneer, and co-founder of the Fowler Kennedy Sport Medicine Clinic, handed away on Nov. 16. He was 84. 

Fowler was an internationally famend orthopedic surgeon and professor emeritus within the division of surgical procedure at Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry. He additionally served as chief medical officer to Canadian nationwide groups at Commonwealth and Olympic Games all through his profession.

He was appointed a Member of the Order of Canada in 2018 in recognition of his achievements as a surgeon, educator and researcher.  

“Our community is deeply saddened by the passing of Dr. Fowler,” stated Dr. John Yoo, dean of Schulich Medicine & Dentistry. “Pete had an unmatched enthusiasm and passion for teaching, and it’s no exaggeration to say surgeons around the world learned leading-edge techniques from him. As an educator, a mentor, a researcher and a world-recognized clinician, he was admired and respected. He will be missed.” 

Fowler started his profession as the primary orthopedic surgical resident at Western, beneath the mentorship of the late Dr. Jack Kennedy. Through this partnership, Fowler developed and perfected the surgical methods and rehabilitation utilizing an arthroscope that he would turn into well-known for within the years to come back. They started a small clinic in 1974 that may later turn into synonymous with athletic well being and rehabilitation because the Fowler Kennedy Sport Medicine Clinic.  

The clinic – which is deeply linked with Schulich Medicine & Dentistry and the Faculty of Health Sciences via its assist of analysis and studying alternatives – would go on to turn into one of many largest, most complete sport drugs clinics in North America and the vacation spot for elite athletes from all over the world.  

“Fowler will be greatly missed in the Faculty of Health Sciences,” stated Jayne Garland, dean of the school. “He was a ‘gentle giant’ who was deeply committed to interprofessional care. The faculty is honoured to partner with the Fowler Kennedy Sports Medicine Clinic in education, research and clinical care. His legacy will live on for generations.” 

Once a gifted Western pupil athlete himself, Fowler’s ardour for Western Mustangs sports activities continued via his career-long connection to coaches and pupil athletes. In 2019, he was enshrined within the Mustangs Hall of Fame as a lifetime achievement recipient.  

“The Mustangs community is indebted to Dr. Fowler’s contributions to the success of our teams and student athletes for over 40 years,” stated Christine Stapleton, director of sports activities and recreation at Western. “The connection we have with the world-class Fowler Kennedy clinic is very unique, close and collaborative and a big reason for the success of our teams each year.” 

Dr. Robert Litchfield is a Professor within the Division of Orthopaedic Surgery, and Medical Director, Fowler Kennedy Sport Medicine Clinic. “Many former trainees from around the world state that Pete was like a father to them. They learned more than how to fix knees, but also how to talk with patients and be a good doctor, husband and father. Pete has left an incredible legacy that will live on in the hands and voices of the hundreds of surgeons around the world he has taught,” he stated.  

Always desperate to share data together with his friends, Fowler additionally performed an vital analysis position. 

“In addition to being a pioneer in the rehabilitation of elite and amateur athletes, Dr. Fowler was a prolific and highly regarded researcher, whose work put Western on the map in the field of sport medicine,” stated Alan Shepard, president of Western University.  

Fowler revealed a number of hundred peer-reviewed papers and dozens of e-book chapters and was awarded the Canadian Institute for Health-Canadian Medical Association Journal Top Achievements in Health Research for his foundational 2009 article within the New England Journal of Medicine evaluating knee arthroscopy to non-operative take care of knee arthritis. 

Fowler was acknowledged for his achievements with quite a few appointments and honours. He performed a task because the founding member and president of the Canadian Academy of Sport and Exercise Medicine and acquired the Sport Medicine Council of Canada Lifetime Achievement Award and the inaugural Western Alumni Professional Achievement Award. He additionally served as president of the American Orthopaedic Society for Sport Medicine, one in every of solely two Canadians to carry this place so far and was the primary president of the International Society of Arthroscopy and Knee Surgery and Orthopaedic Sports Medicine (ISAKOS), one of many largest and most influential sport drugs societies internationally. 

Fowler was awarded the physician of science, honoris causa from Western University in 2008. 

“Peter was a legendary figure here at Western. His family and he were among the first to welcome my family and me to London when we arrived here, and I’m so thrilled that I had the chance to get to know him,” stated President Shepard. “He was incredibly generous with his time and always eager to use his own success to lift those around him. On behalf of the university community, I offer my heartfelt condolences to his wife Libby and their children Megan, Tim, Cam and Pete Jr.”