Honouring Glenda MacQueen, MD, PhD
The Cumming School of Medicine was heartbroken to learn of Dr. Glenda MacQueen’s passing on March 27, 2020.
Glenda was a remarkably bright and productive clinician scientist who had a special gift for working with people and looking at issues from fresh and new perspectives. An internationally recognized expert in mood disorders, she made significant contributions to the field of psychiatry, including important work on treatment guidelines which helped shape and improve psychiatric practice. At the time of her death, she was considered one of the most influential researchers in mental health in Canada. She was also one of the kindest and most generous people we’ve ever known.
We owe much of our medical school’s success to Glenda. In her roles as educator, researcher and Vice Dean (2012-2019), she brought strategic vision and prominence to the Cumming School of Medicine. Bringing together deans from several faculties, she helped develop a mental health strategy for Calgary youth dealing with depression, anxiety and other mental health disorders. She also co-led UCalgary’s Mental Health Strategy with the Provost – an initiative which has transformed the understanding and execution of mental health initiatives across campus. These are just a few of the strategic academic initiatives she implemented during her tenure. She touched us in a multitude of ways and we are better for it.
Glenda was a committed mentor and role model for women in medicine throughout her career. Partnering with the Haskayne School of Business and the Cumming School of Medicine, she developed an innovative leadership program in which more than half of the participants are women. Designed to strengthen the leadership capacity of medical clinicians and scientists, the program is helping build a more flexible and resilient healthcare system in Alberta. The vision, strategy and outcomes of her work are a testament to her brilliance, fortitude and determination.
This memorial fund will honour Glenda’s passion and further her good work by supporting leadership for women in medicine. Her legacy will live on in those touched by her many contributions and – through this fund – in generations of strong female leaders to come.