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Women & Health Panel

For the ambitious professional woman, work is never-ending, never mind the constant caretaking of families, friends and social responsibilities; as a result the unfortunate by-product is that women’s personal health now occupies the lowest priority on the to do list. In a recent poll of Women of Influence members a shocking 10% of professional women make personal health their number one priority – outside of work and life – but a staggering 68% of members wished they spent more time doing so. Despite being a critical issue, the topic of women’s health has fallen from the scale, putting professional women at high risk. This panel of experts will provide insight on what every woman should have top of mind to keep her fast pace for longer and lead a full life. In addition these diverse and dynamic experts will share the even more surprising facts on women’s success in the healthcare industry itself. Moderated by renowned Doctor, Marla Shapiro, this panel will empower you to consider women’s health – not as the lowest priority – but as the foundation on which your success and work-life balance can be built.

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Highlights

  • Do what you love, love what you do. Be passionate to do the best you can do.
  • Spend time wisely when you have it.
  • Everything has a cost but don’t make a sacrifice.
  • Energy comes from control of your life. Take “me time”and have people who give you energy close by.
  • Exercise calms you down, always keep constantly moving: that and sleep might just be the best medicine.
  • Make a checklist for informed decision making when visiting your doctor. It’s ok to ask questions and challenge ideas.

Panelist Biographies

Dr. Carolyn Bennett
PC, MP & Minister of State

The Honourable, Dr. Carolyn Bennett, PC, MP, was first elected to the House of Commons in the 1997 general election and was re-elected in 2000, 2004, 2006 and again in 2008, representing the electoral district of St. Paul’s. In December 2003 in the wake of the SARS outbreak, Prime Minister Paul Martin appointed Carolyn as the first ever Minister of State (Public Health). In her two years as Minister, she set up the Public Health Agency of Canada, appointed the first Chief Public Health Officer for Canada and established the Public Health Network which enabled all provinces and territories to work with the Federal Government on protecting the health of Canadians.
Dr. Bennett served as Chair of the Standing Joint Committee on the Library of Parliament, the sub-Committee on the Status of Persons with Disabilities (Human Resources Development Committee) and the Canada-Israel Parliamentary Friendship Group. Dr. Bennett also served on the Standing Committee on Government Operations and Estimates, and the Standing Committee on Health. She was also a member of the Standing Committee on Finance and was Chair of the Liberal Women’s Caucus. Most recently Carolyn was the Health Critic for the Official Opposition and currently serves as Critic for Democratic Renewal.
Prior to her election, Dr. Bennett was a family physician and a founding partner of Bedford Medical Associates in downtown Toronto. She was President of the Medical Staff Association of Women’s College Hospital and Assistant Professor in the Department of Family and Community Medicine at the University of Toronto. Dr. Bennett served on the Boards of Havergal College, Women’s College Hospital, the Ontario Medical Association, and the Medico-Legal Society of Toronto.
In 1986, Dr. Bennett received the Royal Life Saving Society Service Cross — a Commonwealth award recognizing her more than twenty years of distinguished service. In 2002, she was the recipient of the coveted EVE Award for contributing to the advancement of women in politics and in 2003 received the first ever CAMIMH Mental Health Champion Award. In 2009 the College of Family Physicians of Canada honoured Dr. Bennett with the W. Victor Johnston Award for lifetime contribution to family practice medicine in Canada and Internationally. Dr. Bennett is also author of “Kill or Cure? How Canadians Can Remake their Health Care System,” published in October 2000.
Dr. Bennett obtained her degree in medicine from the University of Toronto in 1974, and received her certification in Family Medicine in 1976. She and her husband, Canadian film producer Peter O’Brian, have two sons and a beautiful chocolate lab, Marley.

Dr. Jennifer Blake
MD, FRCSC, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre

Dr. Jennifer Blake is the Chief of Obstetrics and Gynecology, at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre Toronto. She is a Professor and Associate Chair of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of Toronto. She is Vice Chair of the Genesis Research Foundation, and Chair of the Canadian Foundation for Women’s Health. She is Chair of the public Affairs Committee of the Society of Obstetricians and Gynecologists of Canada
Dr Blake is a former Chief of Pediatric Gynecology at the Hospital for Sick Children, and was the Undergraduate Dean of McMaster University Medical School from1991-7.
Dr. Blake is a medical graduate from McMaster University, and received her fellowship in 1982. Since completing a fellowship in reproductive endocrinology, and Master of Science, she has pursued clinical interest and research in the fields of pediatric and adolescent gynecology, menopause, medical and continuing education. She is active in public education and works extensively with public media.

Dr. Gillian Hawker
MD, MSc., FRCP(C), Chief of Medicine & Director of Osteoporosis Research Programs, Women’s College Hospital
Dr Hawker is Professor of Medicine and Rheumatology at the University of Toronto, and Chief of Medicine at Women’s College Hospital. She is a recipient of The Arthritis Society’s Senior Distinguished Rheumatologist Investigator Award and holds the F. M. Hill Chair in Academic Women’s Medicine. Her research is focused on health services research to assess, and develop strategies to address, gaps and needs for care for people with two common musculoskeletal conditions in women, osteoporosis and osteoarthritis.

Barbara Leavitt
President, Baxter Canada
Appointed President of Baxter Corporation in 2002, Barbara Leavitt brings to the position over 25 years of extensive leadership experience in the Canadian healthcare industry and is directly responsible for Baxter’s commercial operations in Canada.
As a subsidiary of Baxter International Inc., Baxter Corporation manufactures and markets products that save and sustain the lives of people with hemophilia, immune disorders, infectious diseases, kidney disease, trauma and other chronic and acute medical conditions. Barbara has held progressively more responsible commercial roles across Baxter’s Canadian diversified businesses (pharmaceuticals, biotechnology and medical technology). She has successfully driven customer – focused customized solutions across Canada which has driven sustainable growth year over year.
Barbara graduated with her Honours Bachelor of Arts degree from University of Western Ontario and her Masters of Business Administration (MBA) from University of British Columbia.
Barbara is actively involved at the Board level with the following organizations: Catalyst, MEDEC, Canadian Council for Health Services Executives, Conference Board – Canadian Foreign-Owned Executive Council, National Quality Institute and United Way of Peel Region Campaign Cabinet.