It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved Dr. Janice Anne Harvey on Dec. 6, 2023, just two and a half weeks after her 64th birthday.
Loving sister to Jeff and sister-in-law to Linda, Dr. Harvey was so proud to have been called “AJ” (aunt Jan) to her nephew Ryan (Courtney) and Cheryl (Daniel), and as a great-aunt to Sienna, Jeffrey, Jack and Caroline.
Dr. Harvey fought a very courageous battle with cancer over the past year and a half, showing great determination and optimism in the face of such adversity.
Dr. Harvey was a compassionate, intelligent, loving and kind person who enriched so many lives. She will be greatly missed by family, friends and colleagues, but leaves behind a lifetime of cherished memories with all whom she came in contact with.
Dr. Harvey worked in sports medicine for over 30 years and was recently inducted into the McMaster University Hall of Fame in the “Builder” category. For over three decades, she selflessly served McMaster students and varsity athletes. She was a pioneer in the field as she was the first primary care physician specializing in sports medicine to work full-time on campus, seeing athletes both at the Student Wellness Centre and the Sports Injury Clinic since its infancy.
She provided exceptional service and compassionate care in both clinical and field settings, while serving as an educator, role model and mentor to countless undergraduate student therapists, medical students and sports medicine fellows.
Dr. Harvey gained national and international experience as a member of the medical team for the 1994 Commonwealth Games and later was the chief medical officer of the World University Games in Italy ’97 and the World Cycling Championships in 2004.
She was appointed as the Canadian delegate to the World University Sport Federation in 2000, was the past chair of the Ontario Medical Association sports medicine executive and was formerly the president of the Canadian Academy of Sport and Exercise Medicine.
Her vision, leadership and dedication to patient-centred care has been instrumental in shaping the David Braley Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation Centre into the exceptional facility that it is today.
Dr. Harvey was a voyager who loved the adventure of world travel. The planet was never too big for her vision. Her journeys were extensive, from 13 months backpacking around the world to official business trips to far-reaching corners. She always grew as a person from her wonderful experiences. In seeing much of the world, her favourites were always Grenada and Ontario Cottage Country. From her travels, she has left behind so many people she touched and called friends.
Dr. Harvey also took great pride in her love of dance and was an accomplished and gifted ballroom dancer.
Dr. Harvey received exceptional care during the past year and a half at the Juravinski Hospital in Hamilton and Toronto General Hospital.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in her memory to the Juravinski Hospital.