Our Directors
Dr. Chui Kin Yuen, MD, FRCS (C), FACOG, MBA
Executive Director
Dr. Chui Kin Yuen has spent most of his adult life dealing with women's health issues. In recent years, he has focused on practice, education and research in menopausal health (including hormones, osteoporosis, incontinence and sexuality). He has published and presented research on osteoporosis therapies. With the assistance of his university colleagues, he co-chaired a large epidemiologic study on Osteoporosis: MOMM (Maximizing Osteoporosis Management in Manitoba). He established a Midlife Women's Learning Centre and a Women's Health Research Unit at Manitoba Clinic, a large multi-specialty clinic of 70-plus physicians. He served as Chairman of the Clinic for seven years.
His belief in SIGMA (Special Interest Group on Menopause and Aging) started in 2000, after Dr. Elaine Jolly introduced him to the concept. With dedication from all the founding members, the dream became a reality: the birth of SIGMA Canadian Menopause Society.
Dr. Yuen was trained in Winnipeg where he received his medical and business administration degrees (MD, MBA). He completed a Canadian Fellowship in Obstetrics and Gynaecology (FRCSC) and is board certified (ABOG) with an American Fellowship in Obstetrics and Gynecology (FACOG). He is also a certified clinical densitometrist (CCD).
Dr. Yuen currently serves on the Scientific Advisory Council of Osteoporosis Canada and is a founding member and treasurer of Western Osteoporosis Alliance. He was a member of the Manitoba Drug Standards and Therapeutics Committee; a past Regional Chair of SOGC; a past councillor of the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Manitoba; and a board member of the Manitoba Medical Association.
Dr. David Kendler, MD, FRCP(C), ABIM
Associate Executive Director and Treasurer
Dr. David Kendler is the director of the Prohealth Clinical Research Centre and the Osteoporosis Program at Providence Health Care in Vancouver, British Columbia. He received his initial training at the University of Toronto in Toronto, Ontario, followed by training in Christchurch, New Zealand; Halifax, Nova Scotia; Vancouver, B.C.; and New York, New York.
Dr. Kendler's primary clinical and research interests are autoimmune thyroid disease, thyroid orbitopathy and osteoporosis. He serves on the Scientific Advisory Council of the Osteoporosis Society of Canada, is Medical Advisor to the Thyroid Foundation of Canada and chairs the Western Osteoporosis Alliance. He is Past President of the International Society for Clinical Densitometry and the B.C. representative to the Canadian Society of Endocrinology and Metabolism.
Dr. Kendler has published and presented research on osteoporosis therapies, osteoporosis risk assessment technologies and autoimmune thyroid disease.
Dr. Elaine Jolly, OC, MD, FRCSC, Medical Director, Womens Health Program, The Ottawa Hospital
President
Dr. Jolly is a Professor at the University of Ottawa. She 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 of advanced science to childless couples in Eastern Ontario. Dr. Jolly 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, she developed the first Mature Women's Health Initiative in Ontario and made available essential comprehensive services to menopausal women in a multi-disciplinary fashion.
Dr. Jolly is a well-known educator and opinion leader in her field, often quoted and interviewed by the media and the lay press. As an educator, she has been recognized by the University of Ottawa, received the Faculty Award of Excellence and has given over 450 scholarly presentations to her peers and physicians at all levels.
She has an active clinical research program focusing on menopause issues, hormonal therapies, osteoporosis, uterine bleeding and fibroids. She is also a strong advocate for the vital nursing role in patient care and strongly supports nursing research in women's health.
An exemplary physician, a recognized Canadian authority in mature women's health issues and an advocate for medical education at all levels, 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 of the Order of Canada, in recognition of her achievements in women's health. In August 2000, she received the Reproductive Health Award from the Federation of Medical Women of Canada.
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. The end result was a combined project with the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long Term Care to create a Women's Health Centre at the Riverside Campus of The Ottawa Hospital.
In September 2003, Dr. Jolly was awarded the Consumer Healthcare Education Award of Excellence by the North American Menopause Society, acknowledging her significant contribution towards improving the quality of life of menopausal women.
In January 2005, The Shirley E. Greenberg Women's Health Centre at the Riverside site of The Ottawa Hospital was officially opened. Dr. Jolly is the founder and Medical Director of this unique, integrated Women's Health Centre.
Dr. Christine Derzko, MD, FRCS(C)
Vice President
Dr. Christine Derzko, an associate professor at the University of Toronto, is a clinician in active practice, academic, researcher and educator, with a special interest in reproductive endocrinology, notably mature women’s health. She completed undergraduate medical studies and a residency in Obstetrics and Gynaecology in Toronto and subspecialty training in reproductive endocrinology, pediatric endocrinology and pediatric gynecology at U of T and UCLA. In 1976 she returned to U of T's Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Reproductive Biology Division, and to St. Michael's Hospital, and from 1986 to 2004 headed the hospital's Division of Reproductive Endocrinology, Infertility and Menopause. In 1986 she established a unique Clinic and Program dedicated to the investigation and care of midlife/menopausal women, and from 1987–92 chaired the Multidisciplinary Menopause Study Group. From 1994–96 she was Medical Director of the Women’s Health Centre. Over the years she has served on many university, hospital and departmental committees. An Associate Professor in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology since 1996, she was cross-appointed at U of T, in 2000 also at the rank of Associate Professor, to the Department of Medicine (Division of Endocrinology). She was the SMH nominee and finalist for the Toronto Sun's "Woman on the Move Millennium Award," and for her work in Women's Heath Programs also received the Distinguished SMH Physician Award in June 2000.
Dr. Derzko has been a long-time consultant to the OCI/Bone Marrow Transplant Service and a member of U of T's Bone and Mineral Group and of the Scientific Advisory Board of Osteoporosis Canada. For many years she was on the OMA Section of Reproductive Biology executive. At the request of the federal government, she served on the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal. She is a consultant to the Ontario Ministry of Health, Drug Program Branch/Drug Quality and Therapeutics Committee (DQTC).
Her major research interests are in menopause and the perimenopausal transition, premature ovarian failure, osteoporosis, sexuality and the gynecological consequences of cancer and cancer therapies.
Dr. Derzko is author of more than 70 publications including peer reviewed articles, abstracts, reviews and book chapters. She has been a member, author, co-chair and senior editor of a number of Guidelines Development and Consensus Committees, including SOGC Canadian Consensus Conference on Menopause and Osteoporosis (1998 and 2001); Consensus Committee to Determine the Level of Evidence Required for Regulatory Approval of New Hormonal Therapies for the Adjuvant Treatment of Early Breast Cancer in Canada (2003); and National Consensus Guidelines for the Obstetrical and Gynecological Management of Women with Inherited Bleeding Disorders (2005).
Notable milestones recognizing her interest in education include a 1994 invitation as OSVITA Visiting Professor to Kiev, Ukraine; receipt of the U of T Faculty of Medicine's Colin Woolf Award for Course Development and CME; and the 1997–98 U of T Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology Undergraduate Teaching Award for St. Michael's Hospital. In 2004 she was cited as an outstanding teacher in the IMG (International Medical Graduate) Program, and in 2007 in the Internal Medical Residency Program. In 2006 she was the first OB/Gyn to be awarded a Certificate in Medical Education by the U of T Faculty of Medicine Faculty Development Program.
Dr. Derzko is a nationally recognized and respected speaker, lecturer and television presenter on women's health topics, and has been a member of numerous national and international advisory boards, panels, committees and editorial boards. She is a member of the Board of Trustees of the University of Toronto Genesis Research Foundation, and is proud to be a founding member of SIGMA/CMS, of which she is vice-president.
Dr. Marla Shapiro, MDCM, CCFP. MHSc, FRCP, FCFP, NCMP
Medical Contributor to CTV’s Canada AM and Medical Consultant for CTV News
Secretary
Dr. Marla completed medical school at McGill University and trained at the University of Toronto for her Masters of Health Science in Community Health and Epidemiology. She trained in Family Medicine and is certified by the Canadian College of Family Practice. She concluded her specialty training in Community Medicine receiving her Fellowship in Preventive Medicine and Public Health from the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada. She holds a Fellowship in Family Medicine and is a NAMS credentialed menopause specialist.
In 2000 Dr. Shapiro became the Health and Medical Contributor for CTV's Canada AM. In addition to her weekly appearances on Canada AM, she is seen on CTV News Channel and as the medical consultant on CTV’s National News. 2003 saw the exciting addition of Balance: Television for Living Well, in which Dr. Shapiro appeared as host. Dr. Shapiro currently writes a health column for Canadian Health and Living as well as her weekly blog on the CTV website. She is Editor of ParentsCanada where she also writes a regular Ask Dr. Marla column .
She is a member of several advisory boards including the Canadian Partnership Against Cancer, Baycrest Hospital, Research Canada, SIGMA Canadian Menopause Society and the Board of Trustees of the North American Menopause Society.
Dr. Shapiro is the recipient of the 2005 Media Award from the North American Menopause Society for her work in expanding the understanding of menopause, and won the Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada/Canadian Foundation for Women's Health Award for Excellence in Women's Health Journalism in 2006 for her documentary Run Your Own Race. The documentary, written, presented and co-produced by Dr. Shapiro, has won numerous industry awards including the New York Film Festival and the Columbus International Film and Video award. Dr. Shapiro received an Award of Excellence from the College of Family Physicians of Canada for her lifelong commitment and dedication to family medicine in 2008. As well she was awarded the Excellence in Creative Professional Activity in 2009 by the University of Toronto, Department of Family and Community Medicine. She is the winner of the 2010 May Cohen Award from the Federation of Medical Women of Canada. The award recognizes a commitment to the professional, social and personal advancement of women physicians and to the promotion of the well-being of women both in the medical profession and in society at large. She is the recipient of the 2010 Peter R Newman Humanitarian Award in recognition of an exemplary commitment to the welfare of individuals or the community, at home or abroad. In 2011 she was honored as a Woman of Action by the Israeli Cancer Research Foundation.
Her book Life in the Balance: My Journey with Breast Cancer, was released in Fall 2006 and is a National Bestseller.
Dr. Brent Kvern, MD, CCFP, FCFP
Board Member
Dr. Brent Kvern, an active academic family physician for the past 20 years, has strong interests in teaching and clinical care. He is a former Associate Dean, Continuing Medical Education and Program Director, Department of Family Medicine, at the University of Manitoba, where he now maintains an active clinical practice in addition to research. His areas of interest include osteoporosis, development and dissemination of clinical guidelines, effective educational techniques and continuing professional development. He is currently working on his Masters of Health Professions Education.