Christine Loock
Two faculty members – Dr. Christine Loock and Dr. Gina Ogilvie – are recipients of 2018 YWCA Women of Distinction Awards.
Dr. Loock, an Associate Professor in the Department of Pediatrics, was recognized in the category of Health & Wellness. The award in this category goes to a woman who delivers, promotes and advocates for healthy lives and communities.
A Developmental Pediatrician at Children’s and Women’s Health Centre of BC, Dr. Loock is an internationally recognized clinician and researcher in the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) and Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD). She was instrumental in the creation and implementation of Sheway in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside, to improve access to prenatal care and prevent the effects of prenatal alcohol and drug exposure that may produce adversities in child development. Dr. Loock also led the development of the award-winning RICHER (Responsive Intersectoral Child/Community Health Education and Research) social pediatrics initiative, resulting from her work at YWCA Crabtree Corner Child Care Centre. RICHER helps families living in poverty overcome barriers to health care with the services of medical professionals, providing integrated health care through community clinics, local schools and social services.
Gina Ogilvie
Dr. Ogilvie, a Professor in the School of Population and Public Health and Departments of Family Practice and Obstetrics & Gynecology, was recognized in the category of Research & the Sciences. The award in this category goes to a woman who has made a significant and sustained difference in Metro Vancouver through her dedicated pursuit of scientific and/or research based discoveries.
As a Senior Advisor of Research at BC Women’s Hospital and Health Centre, Dr. Ogilvie’s work focuses on sexually transmitted infections, human papillomavirus (HPV) and HIV in women. Her research has changed Canadian practices on HPV vaccination, and she is now working towards the eradication of cervical cancer with a single-dose vaccine. Dr. Ogilvie has been influential in setting and directing health policy on reproductive health and sexually transmitted infections, both in Canada and globally. She developed and leads ASPIRE (Advances in Screening and Prevention in Reproductive Cancers), a global health research program. HPV testing and vaccination are the biggest breakthroughs in preventing cervical cancer since the Pap smear and Dr. Ogilvie’s research has made her a world leader in the fight to end it.
This year, eight Faculty of Medicine community members were nominated for the award between the categories of Health & Wellness and Research & the Sciences. In its 35th year and recognized nationally, the YWCA Women of Distinction Awards honours individuals whose outstanding activities and achievements contribute to the well-being and future of our community.