2001 INDUCTEE Lucille Teasdale-Corti, MD Service Abroad, Leadership in Organizational Development, Health and Medical Education & Training, Women in Medicine

Born:

January 30, 1929

(Montreal, Quebec)

Died:

August 1, 1996

Education:

MD, Université de Montréal (1955)

Awards & Honours:

2004: Gold Medal for Civil Merit, Italy

1996: Honorary Doctorate, Université de Montréal

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Established the Lacor Hospital and served Ugandans for 35 years

A Trailblazer for women in medicine and a devoted surgeon to the people of Uganda

After residency training at Ste-Justine Hospital in Montreal and l’Hôpital de la Conception of Marseille, Dr. Lucille Teasdale-Corti dedicated herself to a career in Uganda, together with her husband, Dr. Piero Corti. In addition to practising surgery at St-Mary’s Lacor Hospital, the couple established a school of nursing at the hospital, which went on to train hundreds of Ugandan health care professionals. In addition, Dr. Teasdale-Corti ran a program to train surgical residents at Makerere University in Kampala and also prepared Italian practitioners for service in Africa. During the period of the Ugandan civil war, she operated on wounded from both factions, often under difficult and dangerous conditions; in 1982, she contracted AIDS in the course of an operation.

Key Facts

Became one of Canada’s
first female surgeons

Grew Lacor Hospital
into a 500-bed institution

Performed 13,000 operations
at Lacor Hospital

Worked in dangerous conditions that included the threat of kidnapping

Continued to work six hours every day, even while suffering from AIDS

The Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada created an named award in her honour

Professional timeline

Impact on lives today

Dr. Teasdale-Corti created a lasting legacy of compassion that continues long after her death. Today, Lacor Hospital continues to serve the people of Uganda. As of 2020, it employs 6000 Ugandans and treats over 250,000 patients. The hospital also plays an important role in the training of new doctors as well as offers crucial public health support during epidemics.

2001

October 11, 2001
Lucille Teasdale-Corti posthumously inducted into the Canadian Medical Hall of Fame

Winnipeg, Manitoba
1995
The Lucille Teasdale and Piero Corti Foundation was established
Service Abroad
The foundation was created to ensure the continued work of Lacor Hospital.
1982
A partnership with Makerere University in Kampala was established
Health and Medical Education & Training
For ten years, Teasdale-Corti collaborated with the University to train surgical residents.
1980s
Lacor Hospital continued to expand with the opening of a second surgical wing
Leadership in Organizational Development
The hospital also held a library, pathology laboratory, archives and space of physiotherapy. By the 1990s, the hospital had 400 Ugandan employees and 450 beds.
1973
The School for Registered Nurses opened
Leadership in Organizational Development
Shortly after, three satellite heath centres were established.
1971
Lucille Teasdale-Corti became a war surgeon in Uganda
Women in Medicine
When civil war broke out in Uganda, Lacor hospital was often caught in the cross-fire of violence. Throughout the war, the hospital became an important centre for healing.
1965
Lacor Hospital's surgical ward was completed

Committed to providing the best care possible, Teasdale and Corti worked tirelessly to expand the services available at the hospital.
1959
Lacor Hospital was built by Comboni missionaries
Leadership in Organizational Development
Teasdale-Corti and her husband arrived in Uganda in May of 1961 and took over management of the 40-bed hospital.
1955
After graduating medical school, Teasdale-Corti specialized in surgery and interned at Sainte-Justine Children’s Hospital in Montreal

While there, she met Piero Corti who would become her lifelong partner in medicine and life.