Florence Spaulding Hardy McConney (20 September 1894 – 23 June 1981) was a Canadian physician.[1] She was the Chief of Medicine at Women's College Hospital from 1935-1950, as well as the first director of the hospital’s Cancer Detection Clinic from 1948-1958.[2][3]

Dr. Florence Spaulding Hardy McConney
BornSeptember 20, 1894
Lindsey, Ontario, Canada
DiedJune 23, 1981
NationalityCanadian
EducationUniversity of Toronto (BA, 1917; M.D., 1920)
OccupationPhysician
Years active1920-1958
Employer(s)Women’s College Hospital, St. Michael’s Hospital

Early life and education

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McConney was born on 20 September 1894 in Lindsay, Ontario, and moved to Toronto at the age of nine. She attended Moulton Ladies' College graduating at fifteen, three years before she could be admitted to university. She attended Jarvis Collegiate until she could attend the University of Toronto, graduating with a BA in 1917, the same year she married.[4] Her husband served in World War I, and McConney began medical school while he was overseas. She earned her MD in 1920. McConney became a fellow of the American College of Physicians in 1950.[5]

Career

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McConney began work with Women's College Hospital in 1922 following her internship at St. Michael's Hospital in Toronto.[2] [6] McConney became the hospital’s Chief of Medicine in 1935.[2] She was certified by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada and the Ontario College of Physicians as a specialist in internal medicine in 1944 and 1945 respectively. McConney retired as Chief in Medicine of Women's College Hospital in 1950 at the age of 55, succeeded by Jessie Gray. She also ran a private practice. Following her retirement from the College Hospital she became the director of the Cancer Detection Clinic.[5][7][3]

References

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  1. ^ "McConney, Florence Spaulding Hardy". Toronto Star. June 24, 1981.
  2. ^ a b c "Women's History Month Special – Dr. Florence McConney and Innovation". Women’s College Hospital.[permanent dead link]
  3. ^ a b Kendrick, Martin; Slade, Krista (1993). Spirit of Life: The Story of Women's College Hospital. Toronto: Women’s College Hospital. p. 100.
  4. ^ "Application Form For Appointment to the Medical Staff". Archives of Women’s College Hospital. May 12, 1958.
  5. ^ a b Ogilvie, Harvey; Marilyn Bailey, Joy Dorothy (2000). The Biographical Dictionary of Women in Science: L-Z. pp. 864–865. ISBN 0415920388.
  6. ^ "Dr. Florence McConney - Never Give Up". Women in Medical Research – A History of Innovation. Retrieved 2022-06-03.
  7. ^ Shorter, Edward (January 2013). Partnership for Excellence: Medicine at the University of Toronto and Academic Hospitals. p. 568. ISBN 9781442645950.
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