Which of the SCS values (excellence, respect, integrity, community, creativity, and spirituality) would you say resonates with you the most?

Community – Community refers to a group of people sharing common interest in goals. St. Clements, to me, had a very strong sense of community, with goals of generosity, sharing and help. As a physician it was my role to help heal people. Along with that I felt a strong need to work with other professionals and reach out, sharing my knowledge, to make a big difference for women, in an area of medicine that has been completely ignored.

Is there one thing from your SCS experience that particularly stands out to you as being foundational to the person you are today?

Value systems - I went to St Clements from the age of 4 years old until age 17. It completely shaped my identity, I am sure. The principals, Miss Waugh and Miss Conway, were incredible women. They set excellent standards and examples. They promoted integrity, diligence, accountability, cooperation and kindness. Of these, the most important is kindness. They provided a place we could learn and grow. It allowed one to dream and realize your potential.

In so many ways, SCS Alums are Trailblazers. Would/Could you consider yourself to be a Trailblazer? Why?

Trailblazers - I have chosen the field that has been ignored and neglected. It is an area of medicine that has not been taught, in almost all medical schools nor in specialty training programs including gynecology. I do vulvovaginal  / genital dermatology.  As I always say, “The vulva is a neglected area of the skin, hidden away by ignorance, embarrassment, and taboo with the result that women with vulvar diseases, desperate for help, suffer needlessly and waste millions of dollars on inadequate or inappropriate treatment”. I started the first Canadian combined dermatology / gynecology, vulvar clinic at Queens University in Kingston in the 1980s. I have been active in vulvar teaching, lecturing locally, nationally, and internationally. I moved to the United States in 1997 and taught at the Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth until I retired in December 2022.

What have you found most satisfying about your chosen career path? What are you most proud of

What am I most proud of? - I am proud and honored to have helped so many women with conditions that are so devastating and debilitating. My patients have taught me almost everything I know! I am very proud of the fact that I have had wonderful mentees that have gone back to their practices and made huge differences and are now out teaching also around the world. As an important addition, I could not have done this without the support of very small but excellent, worldwide group of vulvovaginal colleagues, in multiple specialties. I am very honored to have such a wonderful network.

What does being a part of the SCS community mean to you, even after you've left 21 St. Clements?

SCS community - I have been a long way from Toronto and SCS for decades. I have returned for the reunions, to catch up with my amazing classmates. When I think of St Clements, it is a touchstone of excellent education, spirituality and community.

Do you have any advice for young alums (or soon-to-be alums) who are just starting out on their own paths?

Advice for young alums – find out what you really care about. What do you really like to do? Do not worry if you are not sure. Look around at the various options and be honest about your interests. Do not feel guilty if you do not know. This is a process and takes time and experience as you try various things. Shadow people that are doing potentially interesting things that you would like to know more about. You may need to try different jobs and do not be afraid to change your mind. Learn from the creative people around you. Take responsibility for your actions. Do not blame others and you will build confidence and self-respect. Find people that you trust and can help support you on your journey. Life is difficult and we all fail at times but learn from each failure, keep going, get up and carry on. Believe in yourself and most of all be kind to yourself and those around you.

Do you have any advice for SCS students about their time at the school? 

Advice for SCS students at the school - Challenge yourself. Take a broad range of subjects and, without spreading yourself too thin, get involved in music, sports and extracurricular activities to broaden your interests and to help you develop learn about your abilities and interests. Do not be afraid to get help if you need it. Do your best to stay organized. Work with and enjoy your fellow students around you. Playing and laughing together will make shared school projects fun and more productive. Look after yourself emotionally and physically. As above - most of all be kind.