Schlegel was a professor in the Faculty of Health from 1972 through 1991, as well as a former member of the University’s Board of Governors. After his academic career, he turned his focus to business and philanthropy and founded the Schlegel-UW Research Institute for Aging, a non-profit organization dedicated to enhancing the quality of life and care of older adults.
Schlegel is an officer of the Order of Canada and has received numerous awards including the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Award and an honorary doctorate from the University of Waterloo.
Other CAHS Fellows from the Faculty include Susan Horton, Jack Callaghan, John Hirdes, Heather Keller and Roy Cameron, as well as Geoffrey Fong (cross-appointed) and Vivek Goel (joint appointment).