Lois Marion Plumb (March 24, 1924 – December 8, 2002) was a Canadian psychiatrist.[1][2] Plumb was the first Chief of Psychiatry at Toronto’s Women's College Hospital.[1]
Dr. Lois Marion Plumb | |
|---|---|
| Born | March 24, 1924 |
| Died | December 8, 2002 (aged 78) |
| Education | Western University (M.D., 1946), University of Toronto (Diploma, 1953) |
| Occupation | Psychiatrist |
| Years active | 1946–1997 |
| Employer(s) | Canadian Women’s Army Corps, Women’s College Hospital, University of Toronto, Ottawa Civic Hospital, Victoria Hospital |
Early life and education
editPlumb was born in Brussels, Ontario on March 24, 1924.[2] She attended Western University from 1942-1946, graduating with a medical degree from the Faculty of Medicine in 1946. [2] She also served as a private in the Canadian Women's Army Corps from 1944–1946.[2] According to her obituary in the Toronto Star, it was while she was volunteering at a veteran’s hospital in London that she became interested in psychiatry.[3]
After obtaining her medical degree, she completed internships at Ottawa Civic Hospital (1946–1947) and Victoria Hospital, London, Ontario (1947–1948).[2] From 1951-1953, Plumb completed post-graduate training at hospitals in Toronto.[2] In 1953, she received a Diploma in Psychiatry from the University of Toronto.[2]
Career
editPlumb joined the Department of Medicine at Women's College Hospital in 1956, where she worked as a specialist in psychiatry.[2] Women’s College Hospital hired Plumb to lead the expansion of its inpatient and outpatient psychiatric services.[1] In 1961, the Hospital established a Department of Psychiatry and named Plumb as its first Chief of Psychiatry.[2] During her tenure, she expanded the size of the department and increased the diversity of programs available to women during different stages of life.[1] She held the position of Chief of Psychiatry until 1973.[1] After stepping down as Chief, Plumb remained a staff member in the Department of Psychiatry at Women's College Hospital until her retirement in 1997.[2]
Plumb also served as a visiting lecturer and a clinical teacher at the University of Toronto’s Department of Psychiatry, where her writings cautioned against viewing pregnancy as solely a “biological event.” [1] She warned that by only focusing on anatomy and physiology, the emotional aspects of pregnancy are often overlooked.[1] She explained that, for many women, pregnancy and motherhood can bring with it great psychological strain, including stress, depression, irritability, fatigue, and fear.[1]
In addition to working at Women's College Hospital, Plumb opened a private medical practice in the 1960s, which she ran until her death.[2]
Personal life
editIn 1954, Lois Plumb married Arthur Detwiler, a psychologist.[3] The couple had two children.[3]
Memberships
editShe was a member of several associations, including: the Ontario Medical Association, the Ontario Psychiatric Association and the Canadian Psychiatric Association.[4]
References
edit- ^ a b c d e f g h Gardiner, Heather. "Celebrating WCH's first chief of psychiatry, Dr. Lois Plumb". Women’s College Hospital.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Biographical History: Fonds WCH-PLU- Dr. Lois Plumb fonds in the Archives of Women's College Hospital.
{{cite book}}:|website=ignored (help) - ^ a b c Infantry, Ashante (January 18, 2003). "Obituary: Psychiatrist Lois Plumb". Toronto Star.
- ^ "Notes: Dr. Lois Plumb". Archives of Women's College Hospital.