Canadian Medical Hall of Fame

Building our health organizations and systems Women in Medicine

The presence of women in medicine, particularly in surgery and as physicians, can be traced to earliest human history. However, it was only at the start of the 20th century that most countries began to provide women with equal access to medical education and subsequent practice.  Our women CMHF Laureates have helped, and continue to help, pave the way for future generations of women health heroes in Canada.

Surgeon Doctor and patient

Women in Medicine

  1. 1600

  2. 1642

    Jeanne Mance founded L’Hôtel-Dieu in what is now Montréal

    Learn more

  3. 1700

  4. 1800

  5. 1840

    After her death in 1771, The Grey Nuns carried on d’Youville’s legacy

    Learn more

  6. 1867

    Upon her return from the United States, Dr. Stowe opened her practice on Richmond Street in Toronto

    Learn more

  7. 1876

    Dr. Stowe founded the Toronto Women’s Literary Club, later renamed the Canadian Women’s Suffrage Association.

    Learn more

  8. 1883

    Dr. Augusta Stowe-Gullen, the daughter of Dr. Stowe, became the first woman to receive a Canadian medical degree when she graduated from Women’s Medical College.

    Learn more

  9. 1883

    In an effort to increase women’s access to medical education, Dr. Stowe founded the Women’s Medical College.

    Learn more

  10. 1889

    Rejected from the Faculty of Medicine at McGill due to her gender, Maude Abbott enrolled at Bishop’s University and earned her degree in medicine in 1894.

    Learn more

  11. 1900

  12. 1910

  13. 1914

    Along with another colleague, Maude Abbott took on Acting Editorship of the Canadian Medical Association Journal (CMAJ) during WW1, until 1919

    Learn more

  14. 1914 - 1918

    During WWI, Maude Abbott worked tirelessly to prepare and catalogue teaching specimens for the Canadian Medical War Museum (CMWM)

    Learn more

  15. 1920

  16. 1930

  17. 1931

    Elizabeth Bagshaw became Director of the Planned Parenthood Society

    Learn more

  18. 1932

    Elizabeth Bagshaw founded Canada’s first birth control clinic

    Learn more

  19. 1936

    Dr. Maude Abbott published her ATLAS OF CONGENITAL CARDIAC DISEASE in which she outlined a new classification system for congenital heart diseases

    Learn more

  20. 1940

  21. 1950

  22. 1950

    Dr. M. Vera Peters published her landmark study that suggested early-stage Hodgkin’s was potentially curable with radiation therapy

    Learn more

  23. 1951

    World’s first non-commercial cobalt-60 therapy unit went into operation at the University of Saskatchewan

    Learn more

  24. 1960

  25. 1970

  26. 1970

    Dr. Bette Stephenson was elected President of the Ontario Medical Association, the first woman to hold the position in its 90-year history

    Learn more

  27. 1971

    Lucille Teasdale-Corti became a war surgeon in Uganda

    Learn more

  28. 1972 - 1982

    Dr. Herbert was a pioneer in community-based primary care research, with research questions arising from practice and grounded in patient and community care needs.

    Learn more

  29. 1973

    Dr. Stephenson was elected President of the Canadian Medical Association, the first woman to hold the position in its 106-year history

    Learn more

  30. 1975

    Dr. Peters published the first controlled study to demonstrate that lumpectomy followed by radiation therapy had success outcomes equal to or better than more radical procedures

    Learn more

  31. 1975

    May Cohen led a federal government workshop on women’s health care, as part of the Canadian government’s response to International Women’s Year

    Learn more

  32. 1978

    Elaine Carty receives Health Canada funding to explore the development of a midwife-led, out of hospital birth centre

    Learn more

  33. 1980

  34. 1982 - 1987

    Dr. Herbert becomes the founding co-director of Sexual Abuse Assessment Pilot Project

    Learn more

  35. 1982 - 1988

    Dr. Herbert serves as the founding co-director of Vancouver Sexual Assault Assessment Service (still operating in 2023)

    Learn more

  36. 1983

    Roberta Bondar was chosen from more than 4,000 applicants for Canada’s astronaut program

    Learn more

  37. 1987 - 1989

    Dr. Herbert serves as the president of North American Primary Care Research Group, most influential primary care research organization in the world.

    Learn more

  38. 1988

    As a skilled administrator, Dr. Jean Gray became Associate Dean of Post-Graduate Medical Education at Dalhousie University

    Learn more

  39. 1988

    Dr. Jacalyn Duffin became the Hannah Chair in the History of Medicine at Queen’s University

    Learn more

  40. 1990

  41. 1990

    Dr. Herbert is a founding member of UBC Institute of Health Promotion Research

    Learn more

  42. 1991

    Noralou Roos becomes the Founding Director of the Manitoba Centre for Health Policy

    Learn more

  43. 1992 - 1994

    Co-developed Guidelines for Participatory Action Research in Health Promotion

    Learn more

  44. 1992

    On the space craft DISCOVERY, Dr. Bondar circled our planet at thirty thousand kilometres per hour, situated three hundred kilometres above Earth

    Learn more

  45. 1993 - 1995

    Co-Principal Investigator of Haida Gwaii Diabetes Project, one of the first participatory research partnerships with Canadian Indigenous communities.

    Learn more

  46. 1995

    Dr. Judith G. Hall’s medical expertise and capacity for leadership was well-respected internationally

    Learn more

  47. 1995

    The Ottawa Health Decision Center was founded by Annette O'Connor and her team

    Learn more

  48. 1998

    BC legislated midwifery as part of the health care system

    Learn more

  49. 1999 - 2010

    Dr. Herbert serves as Dean, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry at Western University.

    Learn more

  50. 2000

  51. 2001

    Connie Eaves became the first researcher in Vancouver to commence investigations of human embryonic stem cells (ES) and human induced pluripotent Stem Cells (iPS)

    Learn more

  52. 2001

    When the Canadian Institutes of Health Research was formed, Dr. Jean Gray was asked to chair the Institute of Gender and Health Advisory Board

    Learn more

  53. 2003 - 2007

    Dr. Herberts chairs the National Expert Committee, Health Canada Interprofessional Education (IPE) for Patient-Centred Collaborative Care which funded many innovative IPE projects.

    Learn more

  54. 2003

    Elaine Carty began work on integrating the humanities, specifically art and poetry, throughout the midwifery curriculum

    Learn more

  55. 2009 - 2019

    Founding Fellow of Canadian Academy of Health Sciences

    Learn more

  56. 2010

  57. 2010

    Co-author of the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences major assessment report: “Transforming Care for Canadians with Chronic Health Conditions: Put People First, Expect the Best, Manage for Results”.

    Learn more

  58. 2012

    Dr. Rockman-Greenberg was named one of Canada’s Most Powerful Women for her work supporting vulnerable communities

    Learn more

  59. 2012

    Elaine Carty is called out of retirement to resume the Directorship of UBC program to oversee the first expansion of the program.

    Learn more

  60. 2013 - 2016

    Noralou Roos co-authors several e-books on health policy in Canada

    Learn more

  61. 2015

    Nora Lou Roos founds 'GetYourBenefits!' effort in Manitoba

    Learn more

  62. 2020

  63. 2021

Venerable Jeanne Mance

Women in Medicine, The Early Days - Health Care Pioneers, Patient Care, Leadership in Organizational Development

When Jeanne Mance arrived at Ville-Marie in 1642, she immediately began her tireless work to establish the community’s…

Read more about Venerable Jeanne Mance
Jeanne Mance

Sainte Marguerite d'Youville

Leadership in Organizational Development, Women in Medicine, The Early Days - Health Care Pioneers

As a young widow at the age of 26, Marguerite d’Youville became a “Mother of Universal Charity”, dedicating her life to…

Read more about Sainte Marguerite d'Youville
Ste. Marguerite d'Youville oil painting

Emily Stowe, MD

The Early Days - Health Care Pioneers, Health and Medical Education & Training, Women in Medicine

Dr. Emily Stowe ranks as a true pioneer. She was the first female public school principal in Ontario, the first female…

Read more about Emily Stowe, MD
Picture of Emily Stowe

Emily Stowe, MD

The Early Days - Health Care Pioneers, Health and Medical Education & Training, Women in Medicine

Dr. Emily Stowe ranks as a true pioneer. She was the first female public school principal in Ontario, the first female…

Read more about Emily Stowe, MD
Picture of Emily Stowe

Emily Stowe, MD

The Early Days - Health Care Pioneers, Health and Medical Education & Training, Women in Medicine

Dr. Emily Stowe ranks as a true pioneer. She was the first female public school principal in Ontario, the first female…

Read more about Emily Stowe, MD
Picture of Emily Stowe

Emily Stowe, MD

The Early Days - Health Care Pioneers, Health and Medical Education & Training, Women in Medicine

Dr. Emily Stowe ranks as a true pioneer. She was the first female public school principal in Ontario, the first female…

Read more about Emily Stowe, MD
Picture of Emily Stowe

Maude Abbott, MD

Heart & Vessels, The Early Days - Health Care Pioneers, Women in Medicine, Heart & Vessels

Dr. Maude Elizabeth Seymour Abbott was a pioneer in cardiology and helped lay the foundation for many more women to enter…

Read more about Maude Abbott, MD
Picture of Maude Abbott, MD

Maude Abbott, MD

Heart & Vessels, The Early Days - Health Care Pioneers, Women in Medicine, Heart & Vessels

Dr. Maude Elizabeth Seymour Abbott was a pioneer in cardiology and helped lay the foundation for many more women to enter…

Read more about Maude Abbott, MD
Picture of Maude Abbott, MD

Maude Abbott, MD

Heart & Vessels, The Early Days - Health Care Pioneers, Women in Medicine, Heart & Vessels

Dr. Maude Elizabeth Seymour Abbott was a pioneer in cardiology and helped lay the foundation for many more women to enter…

Read more about Maude Abbott, MD
Picture of Maude Abbott, MD

Elizabeth Bagshaw, MD

The Early Days - Health Care Pioneers, Public Health, Health Promotion & Advocacy, Women in Medicine, Female Reproduction

Dr. Elizabeth Bagshaw’s devotion to women’s health is a treasured part of our nation’s medical heritage. As one of the…

Read more about Elizabeth Bagshaw, MD
Picture of Elizabeth Bagshaw

Elizabeth Bagshaw, MD

The Early Days - Health Care Pioneers, Public Health, Health Promotion & Advocacy, Women in Medicine, Female Reproduction

Dr. Elizabeth Bagshaw’s devotion to women’s health is a treasured part of our nation’s medical heritage. As one of the…

Read more about Elizabeth Bagshaw, MD
Picture of Elizabeth Bagshaw

Maude Abbott, MD

Heart & Vessels, The Early Days - Health Care Pioneers, Women in Medicine, Heart & Vessels

Dr. Maude Elizabeth Seymour Abbott was a pioneer in cardiology and helped lay the foundation for many more women to enter…

Read more about Maude Abbott, MD
Picture of Maude Abbott, MD

M. Vera Peters, MD

Cancer, The Early Days - Health Care Pioneers, Women in Medicine

Dr. Mildred Vera Peters is most notably recognized as an outstanding clinical investigator who changed the management of…

Read more about M. Vera Peters, MD
Picture of M. Vera Peters

The Honourable Sylvia Fedoruk

Cancer, Women in Medicine, Health Policy

Sylvia Fedoruk was the only woman conducting medical-physics research in Canada in the 1950's. Her ground-breaking…

Read more about The Honourable Sylvia Fedoruk
Picture of Sylvia Fedoruk

Bette Stephenson, MD

Leadership in Organizational Development, Public Health, Health Promotion & Advocacy, Women in Medicine, Health and Medical Education & Training

A pioneer and role model for women, Dr. Bette Stephenson had an outstanding career in the field of Canadian medicine,…

Read more about Bette Stephenson, MD
Picture of Bette Stephenson

Lucille Teasdale-Corti, MD

Service Abroad, Leadership in Organizational Development, Health and Medical Education & Training, Women in Medicine

Dr. Lucille Teasdale-Corti devoted 35 years of her life to serving the health needs of the people of Uganda

Read more about Lucille Teasdale-Corti, MD
Picture of Lucille Teasdale-Corti

Carol P. Herbert, MD

Patient Care, Women in Medicine, Leadership in Organizational Development

Innovative health care educator and mentor promoting equitable and accessible health care for all.

Read more about Carol P. Herbert, MD
hftc

Bette Stephenson, MD

Leadership in Organizational Development, Public Health, Health Promotion & Advocacy, Women in Medicine, Health and Medical Education & Training

A pioneer and role model for women, Dr. Bette Stephenson had an outstanding career in the field of Canadian medicine,…

Read more about Bette Stephenson, MD
Picture of Bette Stephenson

M. Vera Peters, MD

Cancer, The Early Days - Health Care Pioneers, Women in Medicine

Dr. Mildred Vera Peters is most notably recognized as an outstanding clinical investigator who changed the management of…

Read more about M. Vera Peters, MD
Picture of M. Vera Peters

May Cohen, MD

Patient Care, Leadership in Organizational Development, Health and Medical Education & Training, Women in Medicine

May Cohen has championed the unique concerns of women in medicine and pioneered the inclusion of women’s health in…

Read more about May Cohen, MD
Photo of May Cohen MD

Elaine A. Carty, MSN CNM

Patient Care, Women in Medicine, Public Health, Health Promotion & Advocacy, The Early Days - Health Care Pioneers

Helped to promote legalization and professional recognition of midwifery throughout Canada

Read more about Elaine A. Carty, MSN CNM
elaine carty

Carol P. Herbert, MD

Patient Care, Women in Medicine, Leadership in Organizational Development

Innovative health care educator and mentor promoting equitable and accessible health care for all.

Read more about Carol P. Herbert, MD
hftc

Carol P. Herbert, MD

Patient Care, Women in Medicine, Leadership in Organizational Development

Innovative health care educator and mentor promoting equitable and accessible health care for all.

Read more about Carol P. Herbert, MD
hftc

Roberta Bondar, MD PhD

Brain & Mind, Women in Medicine

When Dr. Roberta Bondar reached for the stars, she broke a glass ceiling for women in Canada. As the first Canadian woman…

Read more about Roberta Bondar, MD PhD
Picture of Roberta Bondar, MD PhD

Carol P. Herbert, MD

Patient Care, Women in Medicine, Leadership in Organizational Development

Innovative health care educator and mentor promoting equitable and accessible health care for all.

Read more about Carol P. Herbert, MD
hftc

Jean Gray, MD

Patient Care, Health and Medical Education & Training, Women in Medicine, Leadership in Organizational Development

Praised and admired for her wide-ranging knowledge of pharmacotherapeutics, Dr. Jean Gray’s…

Read more about Jean Gray, MD
Picture of Jean Gray

Jacalyn Duffin, MD PhD

Health & Humanities, Health and Medical Education & Training, Public Health, Health Promotion & Advocacy, Women in Medicine, Blood, Blood

A hematologist and historian, Dr. Duffin has made enduring contributions to medical research and education that deepen…

Read more about Jacalyn Duffin, MD PhD
Picture of Jacalyn Duffin

Carol P. Herbert, MD

Patient Care, Women in Medicine, Leadership in Organizational Development

Innovative health care educator and mentor promoting equitable and accessible health care for all.

Read more about Carol P. Herbert, MD
hftc

Noralou P. Roos, PhD

Health Policy, Public Health, Health Promotion & Advocacy

Unlocked the potential of big data systems analysis to clarify the social determinants of health helping inform effective…

Read more about Noralou P. Roos, PhD
Nora Lou Roos

Carol P. Herbert, MD

Patient Care, Women in Medicine, Leadership in Organizational Development

Innovative health care educator and mentor promoting equitable and accessible health care for all.

Read more about Carol P. Herbert, MD
hftc

Roberta Bondar, MD PhD

Brain & Mind, Women in Medicine

When Dr. Roberta Bondar reached for the stars, she broke a glass ceiling for women in Canada. As the first Canadian woman…

Read more about Roberta Bondar, MD PhD
Picture of Roberta Bondar, MD PhD

Carol P. Herbert, MD

Patient Care, Women in Medicine, Leadership in Organizational Development

Innovative health care educator and mentor promoting equitable and accessible health care for all.

Read more about Carol P. Herbert, MD
hftc

Judith G. Hall, MD

Cells, Genetics & Genomics, Cells, Genetics & Genomics, Leadership in Organizational Development, Women in Medicine

For over four decades, Dr. Judith Hall has been at the international forefront of genetic and pediatric research.

Read more about Judith G. Hall, MD
Picture of Judith Hall

Annette O'Connor, PhD

Patient Care, Public Health, Health Promotion & Advocacy, Women in Medicine

One of the great challenges of our time is finding ways to combine expanding medical knowledge with respect for…

Read more about Annette O'Connor, PhD
Picture of Annette O'Connor

Elaine A. Carty, MSN CNM

Patient Care, Women in Medicine, Public Health, Health Promotion & Advocacy, The Early Days - Health Care Pioneers

Helped to promote legalization and professional recognition of midwifery throughout Canada

Read more about Elaine A. Carty, MSN CNM
elaine carty

Carol P. Herbert, MD

Patient Care, Women in Medicine, Leadership in Organizational Development

Innovative health care educator and mentor promoting equitable and accessible health care for all.

Read more about Carol P. Herbert, MD
hftc

Connie J. Eaves, PhD

Cells, Genetics & Genomics, Women in Medicine

Dr. Connie Eaves, a world authority on stem cells of the blood-forming system and their regulation in normal and…

Read more about Connie J. Eaves, PhD
Picture of Connie Eaves

Jean Gray, MD

Patient Care, Health and Medical Education & Training, Women in Medicine, Leadership in Organizational Development

Praised and admired for her wide-ranging knowledge of pharmacotherapeutics, Dr. Jean Gray’s…

Read more about Jean Gray, MD
Picture of Jean Gray

Carol P. Herbert, MD

Patient Care, Women in Medicine, Leadership in Organizational Development

Innovative health care educator and mentor promoting equitable and accessible health care for all.

Read more about Carol P. Herbert, MD
hftc

Elaine A. Carty, MSN CNM

Patient Care, Women in Medicine, Public Health, Health Promotion & Advocacy, The Early Days - Health Care Pioneers

Helped to promote legalization and professional recognition of midwifery throughout Canada

Read more about Elaine A. Carty, MSN CNM
elaine carty

Carol P. Herbert, MD

Patient Care, Women in Medicine, Leadership in Organizational Development

Innovative health care educator and mentor promoting equitable and accessible health care for all.

Read more about Carol P. Herbert, MD
hftc

Carol P. Herbert, MD

Patient Care, Women in Medicine, Leadership in Organizational Development

Innovative health care educator and mentor promoting equitable and accessible health care for all.

Read more about Carol P. Herbert, MD
hftc

Cheryl Rockman-Greenberg, MDCM

Cells, Genetics & Genomics, Skin, Bones, Muscles & Joints, Patient Care, Women in Medicine, Cells, Genetics & Genomics, Skin, Bones, Muscles & Joints

By developing diagnostic tests, screening programs, and treatments for disorders once untreatable…

Read more about Cheryl Rockman-Greenberg, MDCM
Picture of Cheryl Rockman-Greenberg

Elaine A. Carty, MSN CNM

Patient Care, Women in Medicine, Public Health, Health Promotion & Advocacy, The Early Days - Health Care Pioneers

Helped to promote legalization and professional recognition of midwifery throughout Canada

Read more about Elaine A. Carty, MSN CNM
elaine carty

Noralou P. Roos, PhD

Health Policy, Public Health, Health Promotion & Advocacy

Unlocked the potential of big data systems analysis to clarify the social determinants of health helping inform effective…

Read more about Noralou P. Roos, PhD
Nora Lou Roos

Noralou P. Roos, PhD

Health Policy, Public Health, Health Promotion & Advocacy

Unlocked the potential of big data systems analysis to clarify the social determinants of health helping inform effective…

Read more about Noralou P. Roos, PhD
Nora Lou Roos

About the CMHF

The Canadian Medical Hall of Fame (CMHF) celebrates Canadian heroes whose work advances health in Canada and the world, fostering future generations of health professionals through the delivery of local and national youth education programs and awards.

This enduring tribute to our country’s rich medical history is showcased here and in our physical exhibit hall in London, ON.