Dr. Lucille Teasdale - Canadian Woman Surgeon of Courage
Dr. Lucille Teasdale was one of the first women in Quebec to become a surgeon
She spent 35 years in northern Uganda, where she and her husband, Dr. Piero Corti, built one of the most modern and best-equipped hospitals in the region. But the years she spent in Uganda were difficult and dangerous and, ultimately, cost her her life.
Lucille Teasdale was born in the east end of Montréal in 1929, the fourth of seven children. At age 12, some missionary nuns came to her school to speak about their work in a Chinese orphanage. Lucille was fascinated and decided at once to become a doctor.
She studied hard and eventually won a scholarship to enter the Université de Montréal medical school in September 1950. She was one of only eight women in her class of 110 students.
Lucille graduated with top marks. She specialized in surgery and interned at Montréal's children's hospital, Ste-Justine. After five gruelling years, she completed her training and became one of Quebec's first female surgeons.
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- Published in Profile of Women In Medicine
- Written by Library and Archives Canada
