Dr. Cecil Rorabeck encouraged University of Western Ontario graduates to dig in to life’s buffet during his convocation address on Friday, Oct. 23.
A Western graduate (MD ’68)) and professor emeritus, Rorabeck received an honorary Doctor of Science, honoris causa (D.Sc.), from his alma mater in recognition of the worldwide impact he has made as an expert on knee and hip surgery and his dedication to community service.
Cecil Rorabeck
He spoke to more than 300 graduates during Western’s 294th convocation from the Faculty of Arts and Humanities, the Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry and the Faculty of Science, the School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies, Brescia University College, Huron University College and King’s University College.
“Life ahead is like a big buffet,” he says. “There are a lot of options ahead of you and I think it is pretty hard to make a bad decision.”
A university degree has taught graduates “how to learn” and “how to change,” he explains, making them better prepared for the bumps along life’s journey. But, he notes it teaches students to grab life by the horns.
“None of us can achieve our potential by sitting on our hands or in the office waiting for things to happen.”
He notes the importance of celebrating those who have helped along the way and the rewards of giving back to the community, an example Rorabeck has set in his own life. An active volunteer, he is a member of the board of directors of the Canadian Medical Hall of Fame and London Economic Development Corporation.
“Whether you are the first to graduate with a university degree or you come from a long line of scholars, you have to say thanks,” he says.
Rorabeck is the former chair of Orthopaedic Surgery at Western and London Health Sciences Centre.
In her citation, Schulich dean Carol Herbert described Rorabeck as “a tireless advocate for access to health care.”
He has served as president of the Canadian Orthopaedic Research Society, the Canadian Orthopaedic Foundation, and the Canadian Orthopaedic Association. He currently serves as Council Chair for the Robarts Research Institute, where his commitment to advancing research and improving human health continues to benefit the London community. He also played a key role in helping to usher Robarts into the Western fold.
“Dr. Rorabeck embodies the ideal person we want our graduates to become – caring practitioner, researcher, teacher, mentor, leader, scholar, innovator, community advocate, humanitarian and philanthropist,” says Herbert.
In addition to being an ABC Travelling Fellow, Rorabeck has won numerous awards, including the John Charnley Award, the Otto Aufranc and Frank Stinchfield awards from the Hip Society. He has also received the Nicholas Andry Award and the Ranawat and Insall Awards from the Knee Society.
During his academic career he received more than $3 million in peer-reviewed research grants, has two patented inventions and collaborated with Dr. Robert Bourne and others in the Ontario Joint Replacement Registry, a province-wide program focused on improving access to the results of joint replacement surgery.