Rob Petrella MD Obituary: University of British Columbia Mourns Passing of Professor
Rob Petrella MD Obituary: University of British Columbia Mourns the Passing of Esteemed Professor
Vancouver, BC — The University of British Columbia (UBC) community is mourning the loss of Dr. Robert “Rob” Petrella, a highly respected physician, educator, and researcher who made lasting contributions to the fields of family medicine, kinesiology, and chronic disease prevention.
Dr. Petrella served as Professor and Head (Chair) of the Department of Family Practice at UBC, where he also held an appointment as Professor of Kinesiology. He was a valued sports medicine physician at the Allan McGavin Sports Medicine Clinic in the Chan Gunn Pavilion at UBC.
A Distinguished Career in Medicine and Research
Throughout his career, Dr. Petrella combined clinical practice, innovative research, and mentorship to improve the health and well-being of Canadians. Before joining UBC, he served at Western University as Professor Emeritus in the Centre for Studies in Family Medicine and School of Kinesiology, as well as Scientist at the Lawson Health Research Institute and the Bone and Joint Institute.
He was also a staff physician at St. Joseph’s Family Medical Center in London, Ontario, where his compassionate care and leadership inspired both colleagues and patients alike.
Leadership and Innovation
From 2000 to 2015, Dr. Petrella was the Medical Director of the Canadian Centre for Activity and Aging at Western University. He served as President of Blood Pressure Canada and as the inaugural Beryl and Richard Ivey Research Chair, where he led major programs in aging, rehabilitation, and chronic disease management.
His research focused on lifestyle interventions and preventive medicine, exploring how physical activity and healthy habits could reduce the burden of chronic diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular conditions.
Transforming Public Health Through Lifestyle Research
Dr. Petrella was the Principal Investigator of a Canada-Finland international research team that studied the cardiovascular complications of diabetes, which led to the creation of HealtheSteps™, a groundbreaking lifestyle intervention program supported by the Public Health Agency of Canada.
He later developed Hockey Fans in Training® (Hockey FIT), a national initiative encouraging men to lead healthier lives through sports-based community engagement. The project received widespread recognition for promoting fitness and well-being among men across more than 30 sites in Canada.
A Mentor and Educator
Dr. Petrella supervised over 70 students across graduate, postgraduate, and undergraduate programs, shaping the next generation of healthcare professionals. He was the author of more than 400 scientific papers and abstracts and contributed to Canadian clinical guidelines in hypertension, diabetes, osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, and exercise medicine.
He was a Fellow of the College of Family Physicians of Canada, holding certifications in Care of the Elderly and Sport and Exercise Medicine, as well as a Fellow of the American College of Sports Medicine. His expertise in hypertension earned him recognition as a Clinical Specialist with the American Society of Hypertension.
Legacy of Excellence and Compassion
Dr. Petrella’s career reflected his lifelong belief that movement is medicine. His passion for research, commitment to teaching, and dedication to improving public health leave an enduring legacy.
He will be remembered not only for his academic brilliance but also for his kindness, mentorship, and advocacy for preventive healthcare. The University of British Columbia, his colleagues, and his students continue to honor his life’s work and impact on the medical community.
