Dr. Rachel Ollivier. (Submitted photo)
For her trailblazing research and advocacy in women's health, Dr. Rachel Ollivier (PhD'22) has been recognized by WXN as one of Canada's Most Powerful Women: Top 100 award winners in the 'RBC Future Launch Future Leaders' category. This recognizes five exceptional young women between 15 and 29 years old who are transforming their communities through innovation, collaboration and courage.
Dr. Ollivier also created Canada's first patient-focused educational tool on sexual health after birth. We last profiled Dr. Rachel Ollivier in 2023 after she was honoured with a Top 25 Women of Influence award and now catch up with her as she reflects on the past year, and what's to come.
Why is a focus on women's health so important?
Health researchers have long been biased towards male participants and, up until the early 1990s, women were generally excluded from research studies in Canada and around the world. This resulted in wide gaps in knowledge and treatment ability related to social and biological factors that are unique to women such as perinatal and menstrual health, as well as for conditions that may present differently in women than in men, such as symptoms of a heart attack.
We are now illuminating those gaps but are in a sense playing 'catch up' because these topics were neglected for so long. Further research and education are critical because they will enable women and their families to make informed decisions and enjoy access to high-quality care, thereby leading to more positive health outcomes and increased quality of life.
What does it mean to you to be a recipient of the Canada's Most Powerful Women: Top 100 Award?
It's a sincere honour to be named among so many other trailblazing women who are forging new paths in their commitment to making this world a better place. I am also proud to join other outstanding Dalhousie alumni who have been named over the years, including Dr. Maike van Niekerk (BScN'17), Dr. Christine Chambers (BSc'96), and Dr. Nicole Doria (PhD'24). Being recognized in this way adds fuel to the fire and reminds me of the importance of using our collective strengths and positioning to forge ahead, bring about change, try new ideas, and help one another along the way.
What has this past year looked like for you?
I currently work as a full-time Nurse Practitioner and clinician scientist at BC Women's Hospital & Health Centre, where I practice clinically in the areas of women's cardiovascular health, complex gynecology, and complex menopause care. I am also the nurse practitioner lead for the first-of-its-kind Menopause & Midlife Health Program we are developing at BC Women's, which has been exciting work. I am also active in the community, serving on several Boards and committees in addition to volunteering as a workshop speaker for Dress for Success Vancouver.
What are your plans for the immediate future?
I am enjoying living in Vancouver and being at BC Women's Hospital & Health Centre has already been so fruitful in terms of my career growth. I very much feel like I am in the right place right now and in such a 'hub' of innovation in women's health. I hope to continue growing my connections here and across Canada while taking advantage of opportunities to contribute to improving women's health care on a large scale.
