Victoria General Practitioner Oncologist, Dr. Margaret Smith retired from her medical practice earlier this summer. Dr. Smith grew up in Edmonton, graduating medical school at the University of Alberta in 1976 before moving to Victoria. The blend of science and helping people drew her to a career in medicine.
When Dr. Smith came to Royal Jubilee Hospital on a rotating internship, she was the first female intern in 18 years. She knew she had to be a role model to show the establishment that women could practice just medicine as well. Dr. Smith joined two other physicians, Dr. Patricia Johnson and Dr. Elysabeth Fonger, and later by Dr. Pat Arnup and Dr. Joan Archibald, in a full service family practice in downtown Victoria. They were one of only a few female physician practices and enjoyed aspects of family medicine – maternity, pediatrics, surgical assists, in-hospital care and house calls.
After 25 years in family practice, Dr. Smith wanted to expand her career, learn new things and work with people with life threatening illness. This led her to apply to a GP Oncologist position at the Victoria Cancer Agency, now part of BC Cancer. Medical oncology was rapidly expanding with targeted therapies, and immunotherapy. “I was working in an area of medicine at the forefront of some very cool scientific advancements", says Dr. Smith.
Dr. Smith found that her “whole patient" outlook, honed in family practice, was invaluable in her second career as a GP Oncologist. Palliative care and cancer after care were also important skills used as GPO. As a GPO, Dr. Smith focused on gynecological cancers as well as other tumor sites. In the early days, GPOs were basic “oncologist helpers", but Dr. Smith helped grow the role into much more. The Family Practice Oncology Network was just beginning, and Dr. Smith helped develop the province-wide training program to train community GPs about chemotherapy and its side- effects, so that they could deliver chemotherapy and systemic treatments to patients in their own communities. The training also educated nurse practitioners in chemotherapy.
As people began to live longer with cancer, and patient volume increased, the GPO role expanded to working alongside oncologists, providing advanced chemo and systemic therapy under the Oncologist's guidance, freeing up their time for new patient consults.
Dr. Smith thrived teaching and training the next generation of GPOs, as well as educating family practitioners about advancements in treatments for their patients with cancer. “GP Oncology is a great area for family physicians," says Dr. Smith “You get the opportunity to enhance your career, improve job satisfaction and really sink your teeth into a special area and be a strong member of the team."
In addition to her pioneering GPO/FPON work, Dr. Smith mentored students in the Island Medical Program and served on the Medical Advisory Committee for the Cancer Agency.
In her retirement, she enjoys sailing in the Gulf Islands and plans to continue traveling with her partner when the pandemic restrictions are lifted.
