Florence Marguerite “Peggy” Hill (May 24, 1919 – January 15, 2012) was a Canadian physician.[1] She was the Physician-in-Chief of the Department of Medicine at Toronto's Women's College Hospital. [1]
Dr. Florence Marguerite “Peggy” Hill | |
|---|---|
| Born | May 24, 1919 Toronto, Ontario, Canada |
| Died | January 15, 2012 (aged 92) |
| Nationality | Canadian |
| Education | University of Toronto (BA. 1940, MA. 1941, M.D. 1952) |
| Occupation | Physician |
| Years active | 1952-1984 |
| Employer(s) | Canadian Women’s Army Medical Corps, Women’s College Hospital, Toronto General Hospital, University of Toronto |
Early life and education edit
Hill was born in Toronto on May 24, 1919.[1] Her father Frederick was a businessman and her mother was Gertrude Mary Spragg. She grew up in Toronto and attended North Toronto High School.[2]
In 1936, she enrolled in the University of Toronto (UofT) on a scholarship to study Arts and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in 1940. [1] [3] In 1941, she graduated again from the UofT with a Master's in Psychology. [1] After obtaining her Masters, she worked for a year as a psychologist in the Juvenile Court system.[1]
Hill then returned to the UofT where she obtained her MD in 1952. [4] She was awarded that year's gold medal for the highest academic standing in the Faculty of Medicine.[1] After her graduation Dr. F.M. Hill went on to complete postgraduate training in internal medicine from 1952 to 1957, specialising in kidney disease.[1]
Career edit
Prior to obtaining her M.D, Hill joined the Canadian Women's Army Medical Corps in 1942, where she was in charge of personnel selection. [1] While in the military, she achieved the rank of captain, and in 1944 she served a tour overseas in England. [1] After being discharged in 1946, Hill returned to the University of Toronto.[1] As a veteran, she was entitled to a free education and could afford to attend medical school. [1]
In 1957, she became the first woman to be appointed Chief Resident at Toronto General Hospital.[1][2] She then joined the Department of Medicine at Women's College Hospital as a staff physician in 1958. [1] In 1965, she became Physician-in-Chief of the Department of Medicine, becoming the second woman to serve as a Physician-in-Chief of a UofT teaching hospital. [5] [1] During her time at Women's College Hospital, she turned the Department of Medicine into a strong clinical and teaching unit.[1]
In addition to her activities at the hospital, Hill was appointed to the UofT as an Associate Professor in 1965 and was promoted to full Professor in 1968.[1] She was named Professor Emeritus upon her retirement in 1984.[1]
Awards, recognitions, and memberships edit
In 1957, Hill became a Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada and served for many years as an examiner in Internal Medicine for the College. [1] She was also a member of several organizations and boards. In 1968, Dr. F.M. Hill was the first woman appointed to the board of the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (CIBC). [1] She also served on the Women's College Hospital Board of Directors (1966-1982, 1990-1997). [1] In addition, she was a founding member of the Canadian Society for Nephrologists and was a member of the Federation of Medical Women of Canada and the American College of Physicians.[1]
In recognition of her contributions in medicine, she was appointed as a Member of the Order of Canada in 1994.[4] Furthermore, in honour of Hill, Women's College Hospital established an F.M. Hill Chair in Academic Women's Medicine.[4]
Later life and legacy edit
She retired as Physician-in-Chief of Women's College Hospital in 1984. [1] After her retirement she was appointed as a member of the hospital's Honorary Staff.[5]
Hill died on January 15, 2012, at the age of 93.[1] Her legacy and contributions are honoured during Women's College Hospital's annual F.M. Hill lecture, which showcases current research in women's health.[2]
Personal life edit
Hill enjoyed travelling and ornithology. Her other hobbies included gardening, knitting and watching Toronto's baseball team the Toronto Blue Jays.[2]
External links edit
The Miss Margaret Robins Archives of Women's College Hospital [1] Archived 2021-02-07 at the Wayback Machine
Dr. F.M. Hill Fonds in the Archives of Women's College Hospital [2]
References edit
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x "Biographical History". Fonds WCH-HILL- Dr. F. M. Hill fonds in the Archives of Women’s College Hospital.
- ^ a b c d "Toronto doctor overcame gender obstacles". Retrieved 2021-02-09.
- ^ "Curriculum Vitae: Dr. F. Marguerite Hill". Archives of Women's College Hospital.
- ^ a b c Popa, Denisa. "University of Toronto celebrates WCH's Dr. F. Hill". Women's College Hospital.
- ^ a b "Dr. F. Marguerite Hill (May 24, 1919- January 15, 2012): Highlights of her medical career". Archives of Women's College Hospital.