The Shirley E. Greenberg Women’s Health Centre opened in January 2005 thanks to the generous support of our patron, Shirley E. Greenberg and the strong leadership of Dr. Elaine Jolly.
Ms. Greenberg has been an advocate for women’s issues for many years and continues to take an active interest in the Centre’s ongoing development. Her commitment to further improvement in women’s lives remains as strong as ever. She views the opportunity to contribute to the establishment and ongoing development of the Women’s Health Centre in Ottawa as a vital step.
Dr. Elaine Jolly, The Centre's first Medical Director, obtained her medical degree from Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario and completed postgraduate training in Denver, Colorado, Ottawa, Ontario, and Halifax, Nova Scotia. She developed the first Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility Treatment Program in Ottawa, opening the door to advanced science for childless couples in Eastern Ontario. She has been a leader in the community and a dedicated advocate of Women’s Health – developing the first clinical service in Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology at the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario and introducing Contraception and Family Planning Services at the Ottawa General Hospital. She was also an integral part of Eastern Ontario’s first Perinatal and High Risk Pregnancy Program.
In 1986, Dr. Jolly developed the first Mature Women’s Health Initiative in Ontario and made available essential comprehensive services to menopausal women in a multi-disciplinary environment.
A well-known educator and opinion leader in her field, Dr. Jolly is often quoted and interviewed by the media and the lay press. She is a Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of Ottawa and has received the Faculty Award of Excellence. Dr. Jolly is an exemplary physician and a recognized Canadian authority in women’s health issues; an advocate for medical education at all levels, giving over 500 scholarly presentations. In recognition of her clinical excellence, she received the Reproductive Health Award from the Federation of Medical Women of Canada in 2000.
Dr. Jolly is committed to Canadian women and their physicians in the promotion of health and prevention of disease. On April 14, 1999, she was invested as an Officer in the Order of Canada in recognition of her achievements in Women’s Health. In January 2001, she founded the Ottawa Women’s Health Council, a group of women leaders in the community who were instrumental in raising awareness, performing intensive lobbying and fundraising for women’s health. In September 2003, she was awarded the Consumer Health-care Education Award of Excellence by the North American Menopause Society acknowledging her significant contribution towards improving the quality of life of menopausal women.
A well-known educator and opinion leader in her field, Dr. Jolly is a recognized Canadian authority in women’s health issues and an advocate for medical education at all levels.
This webpage uses gendered language but is meant to be inclusive of all individuals, including gender diverse individuals who may not identify as women/female. The staff at SEGWHC is committed to respecting the rights of all people for whom this webpage may apply, including but not limited to transgender, gender non-binary, and intersex people.