Ursinus Hall of Fame
The Blanche B. Schultz '41 Award is one of the highest honors that Ursinus College can bestow upon an individual. It is named for the late emeritus professor, Blanche B. Schultz, who was, among many things, a champion for Ursinus Athletics. This prestigious award recognizes an individual who has displayed passionate support of and remarkable dedication to the advancement of athletics at Ursinus College. It acknowledges those alumni and friends who have unselfishly given of themselves to ensure the success of Ursinus Athletics and our student-athletes who participate.
This year we honor Dr. Gary Canner, who has dedicated so much of his time and energy, at no cost, to making sure our student-athletes are healthy and able to compete.
Dr. Canner has spent the past three decades working with Ursinus student-athletes, serving as game physician and consultant. He performs physicals, teaches and lectures, and also conducts research on campus.
Dr. Canner attended Brown University and graduated in 1973 with a degree in biology. After receiving his Doctor of Medicine degree from Brown in 1977, he went on to complete his Internship of Orthopedic Residency at The Hospital of University of Pennsylvania, training in sports medicine under the tutelage of Drs. Joseph Torg and John Gregg. Upon his graduation in 1981, Canner began practicing in Reading, eventually opening Berkshire Orthopedic Associates in 1985.
Along with colleague Robert Engle, Dr. Canner established the first Sports Medicine Center in the region. He is certified by the American Board of Orthopedic Surgery and is a fellow of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. Dr. Canner became Berks County's first active member of AOSSM, the team physician organization of the AAOS.
Dr. Canner has lectured in the fields of orthopedics and sports medicine at both the local and national level, with a list of published work that includes articles on the knee and shoulder. Over the past three decades, he has been the orthopedic consultant at Kutztown University, Wilson High School and a number of amateur and professional teams, in addition to his work with Ursinus. Dr. Canner has been the orthopedic consultant to the Berks County Chapter of the Easter Seals Society for over 30 years.
