About SOGC
The foundation of the SOGC in 1944 reflected the need to promote physician education, research and excellence in care – including an unmatched Continuing Medical Education program and the Journal for Obstetrics and Gynaecology. Over the past two decades, the SOGC has broadened this purpose to include international women’s health, advocacy, aboriginal health, public education, patient safety, and human resources in ob/gyn. The society has also opened its doors to other professions such as nursing and midwifery.
The Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada is comprised of over 3,000 professional members, including gynaecologists, obstetricians, family physicians, nurses, midwives and allied health professionals.
A leading authority on reproductive health care, the SOGC produces national clinical guidelines for both public and medical education on important women’s health issues.
The Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada granted the SOGC full accreditation as a Continued Professional Development provider for physicians and health care providers in Canada. The Society offers an impressive portfolio of professional educational activities including the Annual Clinical Meeting, Continuing Medical Education Programs, e-learning modules and its trailblazing MOREOB patient safety program.
For more information about the SOGC, read our booklet:
Our Mission
The SOGC’s mission is to promote excellence in the practice of obstetrics and gynaecology and to advance the health of women through leadership, advocacy, collaboration, outreach and education.
We believe that:
- women should have equitable access to optimal, comprehensive health care provided with integrity and compassion.
- women should have the information they need to make choices about their health.
- SOGC members have the right to practice in a safe and supportive environment.
- the practice of obstetrics and gynaecology must be based on the best scientific evidence available.
- the Society has a responsibility to facilitate change in relation to health system issues affecting the practice of obstetrics and gynaecology.
- the Society has a responsibility to continue promoting patient safety throughout health care systems.
- the Society has a responsibility to be visible through advocacy efforts in support of women’s health globally.
CEO
Dr. Jennifer Blake
Dr. Jennifer Blake has been an active member of the Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada since 1982.
Dr. Blake earned her Bachelor of Science degree in biology from the University of Waterloo in 1974. She then studied at McMaster University where she acquired her medical degree in 1977, completed a mixed internship in 1978, completed her residency in obstetrics and gynecology in 1982, served as the MRC Fellow in reproductive endocrinology from 1982 to 1984, and earned her Master of Science degree in Health Research Methodology in 2004.
Dr. Blake is an educational leader with a multifaceted understanding of the profession, including the academic, clinical and regulatory perspectives. During her career, she returned to the academic setting assuming a number of appointments. After serving as Assistant Professor for the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at McMaster University from 1984 to 1988, she assumed the same position within the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Toronto from 1988 to 1991 where she was head of the Division of Pediatric Gynecology. Until she returned to Toronto in 1999 to become Professor and Associate Chair from 2003 to 2012, she assumed a number of leadership and management positions.
Between her academic appointments, Dr. Blake served as Chief of Obstetrics and Gynaecology and Head of Women’s Health at the Sunnybrook and Health Sciences Centre, Chief of Pediatric Gynaecology at the Hospital for Sick Children and Undergraduate Dean of McMaster University’s Medical School. She has assumed a variety of other leadership roles within departments and committees since 1988.
Acknowledged as an outstanding obstetrician-gynaecologist both in Canada and abroad, McMaster University formally acknowledged Dr. Blake as the recipient of the Dr. Carr Teaching Award in 1996 and the President’s Award for Excellence in Teaching and Educational Leadership in 1995. The same year, she received the SOGC award for Best Reproductive Endocrinology Research Paper, which followed the SOGC’s first place award for Best Gynaecology Research Paper in 1992. In 1983, she was granted the MOH Scientist Award and the R. T. Weaver Award for Best Resident Paper Presentation in 1980. Accolades for Dr. Blake are not restricted to those within the academic and women’s health sectors. In 2011, Dr. Blake was identified as one of the top 25 women of influence in Canada.
Dr. Blake not only has an impressive research background and an active publication record, she is an experienced leader who has led major organizational change in both the hospital and academic sectors. She brings a national perspective from her work with the SOGC, the Medical Council of Canada (MCC), the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (RCPSC), the Association of Professors in Obstetrics and Gynaecology of Canada (APOG), and the Canadian Foundation for Women’s Health (CFWH).
In addition to her membership with the SOGC, Dr. Blake is also an active member of the Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Toronto, the Canadian Fertility and Andrology Society, the Society of Canadian Colposcopists, the American Society for Reproductive Medicine, as well as the International and North American Menopause Societies.
As a passionate advocate, respected leader, published author, dynamic lecturer, and trusted spokeswoman on issues relating to women’s health, Dr. Blake has assumed a number of consultancy roles on projects pertaining to general obstetrics and gynaecology, continuing medical education, strategic planning, ethics, public affairs, menopause, human sexuality, oncology, as well as pediatric and adolescent gynaecology. She has also been an active member of advisory committees, board of directors, task forces as well as administrative, medical, and perinatal committees.
Dr. Blake’s philanthropic and community service initiatives have included being a member of the Community Advisory Committee for the Junior League of Toronto (2011 to present), serving as Chair of the Canadian Foundation from Women’s Health (2007 to present), as Vice Chair of the Genesis Research Foundation (2003 to present), and as Chair of the National Health Advisory Committee for the Look Good Feel Better/Lives Affected by Cancer Programme.
Dr. Blake enjoys an active home life. Together with her husband, Dr Denny De petrillo, they have three children, four grandchildren and a dog. She is an avid reader and writer, enjoys gardening as well as the great outdoors.
Our President
Dr. Douglas Black
Dr. Black received his education from Glasgow Academy in Scotland from 1962-1974. He then continued his studies at the Dundee University Medical School in Scotland from 1974-1980 after which he moved to Ottawa where he completed his Ob/Gyn Residency at the University of Ottawa in 1985.
Dr. Black has been an active staff member at The Ottawa Hospital since 1985 and holds privileges at The Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario. He is Medical Director of Soundcare Medical and Imaging Centre which serves the South Ottawa community. He also has an extensive record of involvement at the University of Ottawa including Assistant Professor of the Department of Ob/Gyn at The Ottawa Hospital, Acting Chair of the Department of Ob/Gyn from 2005-2007, and is presently Head of the Division of Generalists Ob/Gyn.
Dr. Black has been involved with the SOGC for many years representing the Ontario region as a Committee Member in 1992, a Finance Committee member from 1996-2002, and has served as the Membership Representative. He has been a part of the Executive and Council now since 2003 having served as Treasurer, Vice-President, President Elect, and now President.
His interests include; General Obstetrics and Gynecology, Alternate model of care for Obstetrics in Canada, Interventional Ultrasound and Minimally Invasive Surgery
Dr. Black is married with three children. He enjoys travelling, soccer, rugby and playing golf.
Council & Executive
SOGC Council – 2012/2013
Executive Administration (Executive Committee)
- Douglas Black, MD, Ottawa (President)
- Mark Heywood, MD, Vancouver (Past-President)
- Ward Murdock, MD, Fredericton (President-Elect)
- Ian R. Lange, MD, Calgary (Treasurer)
- Margaret Burnett, MD, Winnipeg (Vice President)
- Diane Francoeur, MD, Montreal, (Vice President)
Regional & Alternate Chairpersons
- Western Region
- Stephen Kaye, MD, North Vancouver
- Radha Chari, MD, Edmonton
- Central Region
- George Carson, MD, Regina
- Hussam M. Azzam, MD, Thompson
- Ontario Region
- Wendy Lynn Wolfman, MD, Toronto
- William Mundle, MD, Windsor
- Quebec Region
- Isabelle Girard, MD, Montreal
- Robert Sabbah, MD, Montreal
- Atlantic Region
- Joan Crane, MD, St-John’s
- Krista A. Cassell, MD, Charlottetown
Other Representatives
- Stephane Foulem, MD, St-John’s (Junior Member Representative)
- Ms. Micheline Bouchard, Montreal (Public Representative)
- Andrée Gagnon, MD, Blainville (Associate Member (MD))
- Janet Walker, RN, Vancouver (Associate Member (RN))
- Kim Campbell, RM, Abbotsford (Associate Member (RM))
- Lucie Morin, MD, Outremont (APOG Representative)