Ricky Kanee Schachter
Encyclopedia
Ricky Kanee Schachter, BA, MD, FRCP(C)
, LLD, CM
(December 23, 1918 – July 1, 2007) was a renowned dermatologist who practiced in the Toronto area, and was invested as a Member of the Order of Canada
in 1998, as "a researcher, teacher, administrator and healer, whose work in the areas of skin cancer and psoriasis has improved the lives of her patients, and inspired fellow researchers across Canada."
Her husband, Dr. Benjamin Schachter, was a Torontonian biochemist, working at the University of Toronto
, who, from 1934-39, conducted research on female sex hormones. He isolated and identified conjugated oestrone sulphate (Premarin
). Her late brother, Sol Kanee
, also received the Order of Canada
for his work with the Bank of Canada
and the Canadian Jewish Congress
.
Dr. Schachter grew up in Melville
, Saskatchewan
, at a time when women were not generally accepted as professionals in Canada. When she decided to go to university at the age of 16, to become a doctor, even her father, an educated Russian immigrant and community leader, said to her that she would "be taking up a space for a man." Dr. Schachter graduated from the University of Toronto
in 1943, and pursued post-graduate training in dermatology at Columbia University
in New York
. She began working at the Women's College Hospital
, in Toronto
in 1946 and became a Fellow of the Royal College, in Canada, in 1950. She was appointed Associate Professor at the University of Toronto's Faculty of Medicine in 1961.
In addition to being at the forefront of her field, and a pioneer in the treatment of psoriasis
on an out-patient basis, Dr. Schachter worked for the promotion of women's rights, Jews' rights, and for gender equality in the medical profession. She was a devoted teacher and healer, and received numerous recognitions of her work. With her appointment in 1978 as the president of the Canadian Dermatological Association -- the first female in Canada to lead specialists in her field. She was also the first woman to win the Canadian Dermatology Foundation's Practitioner of the Year award, in 2005, and received an honourary Doctor of Laws, by Queen's University
, in 2006.
A chair in dermatology was established to honour her, and in 1985, the Dr. Rickey Kanee Schachter Dermatology Fund was established in recognition of her commitment to patient care. In July 1991, the Dr. Ricky Kanee Schachter Dermatology Centre opened its doors at Women's College Hospital
to treat a variety of skin conditions, through several out-patient clinics:
Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada
The Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada ' , French: Collège royal des médecins et chirurgiens du Canada, is a national, private, nonprofit organization established in 1929 by a special Act of Parliament to oversee the medical education of specialists in Canada...
, LLD, CM
Order of Canada
The Order of Canada is a Canadian national order, admission into which is, within the system of orders, decorations, and medals of Canada, the second highest honour for merit...
(December 23, 1918 – July 1, 2007) was a renowned dermatologist who practiced in the Toronto area, and was invested as a Member of the Order of Canada
Order of Canada
The Order of Canada is a Canadian national order, admission into which is, within the system of orders, decorations, and medals of Canada, the second highest honour for merit...
in 1998, as "a researcher, teacher, administrator and healer, whose work in the areas of skin cancer and psoriasis has improved the lives of her patients, and inspired fellow researchers across Canada."
Her husband, Dr. Benjamin Schachter, was a Torontonian biochemist, working at the University of Toronto
University of Toronto
The University of Toronto is a public research university in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, situated on the grounds that surround Queen's Park. It was founded by royal charter in 1827 as King's College, the first institution of higher learning in Upper Canada...
, who, from 1934-39, conducted research on female sex hormones. He isolated and identified conjugated oestrone sulphate (Premarin
Premarin
Premarin is the commercial name for a compound cream of vaginally administered estrogens, consisting primarily of conjugated estrogens. Isolated from mares' urine , it is manufactured by Wyeth Pharmaceuticals and has been marketed since 1942...
). Her late brother, Sol Kanee
Sol Kanee
Sol Kanee, was a Canadian lawyer, former President of Canadian Jewish Congress from 1971 to 1974, former Chairman of the World Jewish Congress Board of Governors, the longest-serving member, for 17 years, of the board of governors of the Bank of Canada, and chairman of the Federal Business...
, also received the Order of Canada
Order of Canada
The Order of Canada is a Canadian national order, admission into which is, within the system of orders, decorations, and medals of Canada, the second highest honour for merit...
for his work with the Bank of Canada
Bank of Canada
The Bank of Canada is Canada's central bank and "lender of last resort". The Bank was created by an Act of Parliament on July 3, 1934 as a privately owned corporation. In 1938, the Bank became a Crown corporation belonging to the Government of Canada...
and the Canadian Jewish Congress
Canadian Jewish Congress
The Canadian Jewish Congress was one of the main lobby groups for the Jewish community in the country, although it often competed with the more conservative B'nai Brith Canada in that regard. At its dissolution, the president of the CJC was Mark Freiman. Its past co-presidents were Sylvain Abitbol...
.
Dr. Schachter grew up in Melville
Melville, Saskatchewan
Melville is a small Canadian city located in the east-central portion of Saskatchewan. It was declared a city by the province in 1960. The city is north east of the provincial capital of Regina and south west of Yorkton. According to The World Gazetteer, it has a 2004 population of approximately...
, Saskatchewan
Saskatchewan
Saskatchewan is a prairie province in Canada, which has an area of . Saskatchewan is bordered on the west by Alberta, on the north by the Northwest Territories, on the east by Manitoba, and on the south by the U.S. states of Montana and North Dakota....
, at a time when women were not generally accepted as professionals in Canada. When she decided to go to university at the age of 16, to become a doctor, even her father, an educated Russian immigrant and community leader, said to her that she would "be taking up a space for a man." Dr. Schachter graduated from the University of Toronto
University of Toronto
The University of Toronto is a public research university in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, situated on the grounds that surround Queen's Park. It was founded by royal charter in 1827 as King's College, the first institution of higher learning in Upper Canada...
in 1943, and pursued post-graduate training in dermatology at Columbia University
Columbia University
Columbia University in the City of New York is a private, Ivy League university in Manhattan, New York City. Columbia is the oldest institution of higher learning in the state of New York, the fifth oldest in the United States, and one of the country's nine Colonial Colleges founded before the...
in New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
. She began working at the Women's College Hospital
Women's College Hospital
Women's College Hospital, or The New Women's College Hospital is a teaching hospital in downtown Toronto. It currently functions as an independent ambulatory care hospital. The Physician-in-chief is Dr. Jim Ruderman....
, in Toronto
Toronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
in 1946 and became a Fellow of the Royal College, in Canada, in 1950. She was appointed Associate Professor at the University of Toronto's Faculty of Medicine in 1961.
In addition to being at the forefront of her field, and a pioneer in the treatment of psoriasis
Psoriasis
Psoriasis is an autoimmune disease that appears on the skin. It occurs when the immune system mistakes the skin cells as a pathogen, and sends out faulty signals that speed up the growth cycle of skin cells. Psoriasis is not contagious. However, psoriasis has been linked to an increased risk of...
on an out-patient basis, Dr. Schachter worked for the promotion of women's rights, Jews' rights, and for gender equality in the medical profession. She was a devoted teacher and healer, and received numerous recognitions of her work. With her appointment in 1978 as the president of the Canadian Dermatological Association -- the first female in Canada to lead specialists in her field. She was also the first woman to win the Canadian Dermatology Foundation's Practitioner of the Year award, in 2005, and received an honourary Doctor of Laws, by Queen's University
Queen's University
Queen's University, , is a public research university located in Kingston, Ontario, Canada. Founded on 16 October 1841, the university pre-dates the founding of Canada by 26 years. Queen's holds more more than of land throughout Ontario as well as Herstmonceux Castle in East Sussex, England...
, in 2006.
A chair in dermatology was established to honour her, and in 1985, the Dr. Rickey Kanee Schachter Dermatology Fund was established in recognition of her commitment to patient care. In July 1991, the Dr. Ricky Kanee Schachter Dermatology Centre opened its doors at Women's College Hospital
Women's College Hospital
Women's College Hospital, or The New Women's College Hospital is a teaching hospital in downtown Toronto. It currently functions as an independent ambulatory care hospital. The Physician-in-chief is Dr. Jim Ruderman....
to treat a variety of skin conditions, through several out-patient clinics:
- The Cosmetic Clinic and Cover FX
- Cosmetic Procedures
- The Dermatology Laser Centre
- General Dermatology
- Dermatology Minor Surgery
- Mohs Clinic
- The Pigmented Lesion Clinic