International Women’s Day is a day to celebrate women’s achievements, raise awareness of gender inequality, and advocate for gender equality. With this year’s #AccelerateAction theme, Doctors of BC is proud to highlight the incredible work of women physicians who take action to create change. Additionally, Canadian Women Physicians’ Day, celebrated every March 11 since 2021, is a way to acknowledge those making a difference and remember those who paved the way.
On this International Women’s Day, we want to proudly highlight a BC female physician who many may have forgotten about but who was a pioneer in her field and who was the first female president of the BC Medical Association (BCMA), now known as Doctors of BC.
On June 11, 1946, at Banff Springs Hotel, the BCMA held its annual general meeting with Dr Ethlyn Trapp, a radiologist, stepping into her role as the association’s newly appointed president—the first-ever woman to take on the role.
This prestigious endorsement from her primarily male peers solidified her position as a trailblazer in medicine and progress for women in Canada. The BCMA would not see another female president for more than four decades. Dr Trapp’s story is one of adventure, accomplishment, and innovation—all possible thanks to her strong sense of self and her conviction to help others.
Coming of age in an era of change
Born in New Westminster in 1891, Dr Trapp attended McGill University, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in 1913—where she lived in the Royal Victoria College, a hub for the university’s female students. During World War I she worked as an occupational therapist in military hospitals in Vancouver and Revelstoke. Six months before the War ended, the suffrage movement saw white women over the age of 21 who were Canadian citizens given the right to vote—although not a right granted to all women, regardless of race, until 1960.
The world as she knew it was changing. Dr Trapp leapt into medicine, graduating as an MD and Master of Surgery from McGill in 1927—two years before white women were legally declared “persons” in Canada on October 18, 1929.
A pivotal figure in cancer treatment
After a year in general practice, she trained in radiotherapy in Vienna, Stockholm, and London, among other European cities. Her interest in this specialty spurred her to become a pivotal figure in establishing the BC Cancer Institute in 1938—where she was medical director during the latter part of World War II. It was during this time period that Dr Trapp became president of the BC Medical Association—at a time when fewer than 10% of physicians were female. Dr Trapp’s tireless work in cancer treatment also led her to become the first female president of the National Cancer Institute of Canada in 1952.
Later in her career, she returned to private practice and was known for transporting radium in her yellow roadster convertible to Lower Mainland hospitals, where she worked. A woman with a rich social life and a love of nature, Dr Trapp had many friends in the world of literature and the arts, including artist Emily Carr. Dr Trapp named her home “Klee Wyck” in honour of Carr’s memoir of the same title. She bequeathed this property to the District of West Vancouver in 1960 with the provision that she retain tenancy for life and that it be used as a park after her death.
A vibrant life and a love of learning
Dr Trapp’s retirement in 1959 didn’t lead to a slowdown—in fact, after a year off, she returned to education at the University of British Columbia, studying horticulture, anthropology, and sociology. The nation recognized her contributions to medicine in 1968 when she was awarded the Order of Canada. Trapp passed away in 1972, at 81 years old.
Women in medicine—the future and the past
Since Dr Trapp’s presidency, Doctors of BC has had nine women serve in the role, including our current president, Dr Charlene Lui. According to the Canadian Medical Association, by 2030, women are expected to comprise half of all physicians in Canada. Many challenges remain for women and gender-diverse physicians in the world of modern health care—from gender stereotypes to structural inequities. At Doctors of BC, gender equity is a crucial part of our work—outlined in our 2023 policy statement. By addressing these inequities, many more physicians will continue to blaze their trails in medical care, just as Dr Trapp did before them.
Female presidents' contributions to BC health care
We reached out to our female past presidents with a thought-provoking question: What is the one contribution you made to health care in BC that you are most proud of?
Dr Heidi Oetter, 2001–02
“Since signing the Declaration of Commitment to Cultural Safety and Humility with First Nations Health Authority, I was proud to lead efforts to create, enable, and sustain a regulatory system free of Indigenous-specific racism. In addition to offering a public apology to Indigenous people and communities who experienced racism in the health care system and pledging to become anti-racist, my team and I developed a practice standard that clarifies the expectation for physicians and surgeons to provide culturally safe competent care, address inequities, and create a more equitable and fair health care system for Indigenous people.”
Dr Lynn Doyle, 2002–03
“I encountered gender discrimination in my surgical training and career. My most important contribution was to stand with and support female trainees who were victims of totally inappropriate behaviours perpetrated by male superiors. I hope that my actions helped to pave a path towards gender equality so that the next generation of female trainees would not face gender-based discrimination in any one of its multitude of forms.”
Dr Margaret MacDiarmid, 2006–07
“It has been a privilege and a joy to provide and support palliative and end of life care, as a doctor, a volunteer, and an MLA. I cared for my patients in their homes, companioned clients as a hospice volunteer, and contributed to policy as BC health minister. Each of these were deeply meaningful to me, but the profound experience of being with a person close to the end of their life is what I am most grateful for.”
Dr Shelley Ross, 2012–13
“In 2012-2013, during my time as President of what was then the BCMA, I spent the year travelling the province, visiting places that previously were only names on a map. I met family physicians and specialists where they lived and worked. It was the first time many physicians had seen a Doctors of BC president in 20 years. Knowing how important relationship building is to subsequently working together, it was a most productive time for the association, as I put a face to all the good work being done by the BCMA.”
Dr Trina Larsen Soles, 2017–18
“I have gratitude for leadership opportunities in Doctors of BC and Society of Rural Physicians of Canada, enabling medical advocacy at the provincial and national levels. I am proud of my work negotiating on behalf of the profession, especially support and programs for rural physicians, health care teams, and communities in BC. My most satisfying achievement is watching the medical team I built in Golden continuing to provide excellent medical care and innovation in our community, with the support of programs I helped negotiate and develop.”
Dr Kathleen Ross, 2019–20
“I have been grateful for the many opportunities to work with exceptional teams of BC physicians. My proudest achievement is helping to develop and launch the Pathways website, a transformative innovation that has improved the working lives of physicians, nurse practitioners, midwives, and other care providers, made possible through Doctors of BC’s unique Joint Standing Committees.”
Dr Ramneek Dosanjh, 2022–23
“During my presidency, it was my pleasure to create the health justice alliance, an intersectoral allyship to challenge our current systems by using a trauma-informed care lens in both health and law sectors to fundamentally impact the well-being of society. We are committed to changing the world by disrupting the systems and status quo.”
Dr Charlene Lui, 2025
“I am most proud of my contributions to enhancing access to care for vulnerable populations, including bringing together stakeholders to establish a New Immigrant Clinic in Burnaby, ensuring newcomers receive the care and support they need. Building on that success, I spearheaded Burnaby’s Primary Care Networks that align Health Authority, Community Non-Profit Agencies and the Burnaby Division of Family Practice as partners to create more seamless access to health care and community resources for the most vulnerable. Seeing this model embraced and expanded to other communities reinforces the power of collaboration in creating lasting, equitable health care solutions.”
