Women in Medicine: Giving Back to the Next Generation

A nephrologist and professor of medicine in the University of Toronto’s Temerty Faculty of Medicine, Dr. Joanne Bargman’s (MD ’78) true passion lies in teaching the next generation of medical professionals. She has delivered over 1,000 lectures to date in Canada and around the world and has received several awards for teaching. This includes Temerty Medicine’s prestigious Silver Shovel Award, presented annually by MD learners to the best undergraduate medical lecturer, as well as the award for best teacher across the postgraduate medical program. Looking back at her career, Dr. Bargman shares how her own journey in medicine began, the role of teaching, mentorship and the experiences of women in medicine and how the profession has changed in the last 45 years.

Why did you decide to pursue medical school at U of T?

Math was always a strong point for me in school. Originally, I was going to go into engineering science, but my older brother went into medicine at the University of Toronto and he absolutely loved it. I decided, then, that medicine might be a better pathway for me, and I applied for medical school instead.

What was your journey through medical school like?

For me, it was really very terrifying. At the time, all our classes were very large. I remember feeling lost. It was really a very difficult experience. But, I eventually went back and taught at the Faculty, and I could see that the classes were smaller and more cohesive. I can see how it’s improved since my time.

You graduated in 1978 which means your 45th reunion is coming up next year. Is there something you’re particularly looking forward to at the reunion?

It blew my mind to see the 45^th reunion coming so soon. But now that it’s here, it'll be interesting to see people. It will be nice to have everyone back together, especially after the last few years.

You also generously donate in support of the Class of 7T8 Award, which was created by your class. Why do you support this award?

When I attended medical school, our tuition was about $800 for the whole year. You could work one summer and make enough money to pay your tuition. It really wasn't as big a financial sacrifice, the way it is now. I really feel for the students today and this is at least one way I can help make it little bit easier.

You’ve received several awards for your educational work teaching and lecturing, including the Silver Shovel for excellence in undergraduate teaching. What does this recognition mean to you?

Receiving these teaching awards were the standout moments of my career. They felt like recognition for everything I worked so hard on. Education is what I do and I always joke about it being my one special thing. Teaching is so important — still to this day I remember my 5^th grade teacher. Teachers are very important in our lives.

How has mentorship played a role in your life?

Mentorship is so important, especially because medicine can be really stressful. People tie themselves up in knots because they're not sure what they want to do in their medical careers, but it's important to look at the bigger picture. I always tell my students not to take it so seriously — everything will work out.

You’ve delivered more than 1,000 invited lectures all over the world. Is there a standout moment you remember?

Most of my talks are international, so it's been a wonderful way to see the world. I’ve been to China, Iran and India. I’ve been lucky to meet so many different people and have built an international community for myself. But despite any cultural differences, the passion for medicine is the same.

You have been a particularly vocal advocate for elevating women in medicine. What was your experience as a woman in medicine?

It is better today than it was when I started in medicine. For example, back in the seventies, if I asked a question of a consultant while with a male colleague, it wasn’t unusual for the consultant to turn to my male colleague and explain the answer to him. They wouldn’t even make eye contact with me and it made me feel invisible. One of our teachers would address our class — 25% of whom were women — as “gentlemen”. Even with our locker assignments, female lockers were preceded by Miss or Mrs. while male students’ lockers were not preceded by anything. It felt very “othering”, as I explained to a bemused Dr. Llewellyn-Thomas. I agitated to have that changed while I was in school, but I think it’s improved. There are more women in medicine now, so it’s become more usual.

In your experience, how has it changed in the last 45 years?

When I was a medical student, there were only two or three female lecturers so I had few female role models. But today, four out of the six Physicians-in-Chief in the Department of Medicine in Toronto are women, which is fantastic!

With the MD Class of 2026 having just started, what advice would you give them?

First of all, don't take it too seriously. I know this sounds like a corny statement, but I think it's an incredible privilege to be a doctor, because you're treating people in distress and you're making people get better or at least feel better. I'm sure people can find a lot of comfort in knowing that they made the right decision. I have the advantage of the long view, having been in this field for a long time. I’ve seen how training continues to improve so I think the universe is unfolding as it should.

What do you think lies ahead for you?

Volunteer work! It's something that's on my list for retirement. When I retire, my fantasy is to go back to teaching and teach math to kids from less privileged backgrounds.