Dr. Ricky Schachter

Birth: Dec. 23, 1918 Melville Saskatchewan, Canada Death: Jul. 1, 2007 Toronto Ontario, Canada

Ricky Kanee Schachter-She 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,[6] 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:

The Cosmetic Clinic and Cover FX Cosmetic Procedures The Dermatology Laser Centre General Dermatology Dermatology Minor Surgery Mohs Clinic The Pigmented Lesion Clinic

Her obituary- DR. RICKY KANEE SCHACHTER 1918 - 2007 Healer, educator, innovator and advocate for the rights of women, Jews and people in need, passed away peacefully on July 1 following a prolonged illness during which she was constantly surrounded by the love of her family and friends. We thank the staff at the Toronto Western and Baycrest Hospitals for their compassion and exemplary care. Our special thanks to the caregivers Naty, Lota, and Erwina. Dr. Ricky Schachter had a long, productive and fulfilling life. Beloved wife of the late Dr. Benjamin Schachter; dear mother and mother-in-law of Dr. Daniel and Anya Schachter, and Bonnie and Peter Druxerman; adoring grandmother of Reva and Jonathan Schachter, and Jessie and Cobi Druxerman; and loving aunt to all of her nieces and nephews. Predeceased by her parents Rose and Sam Kanee; and her brothers, Abe, Dr. Ben, Sol, and Harry who died at an early age. Raised in Melville, Saskatchewan, Ricky was the daughter of self-educated immigrants, who instilled in her the value of education. She put herself through the universities of Manitoba and Saskatchewan, and through medical school at University of Toronto in the early 1940s, later following in her older brother's footsteps to specialize in dermatology at Columbia University in New York, becoming a Fellow of the Royal College in 1950. Ricky settled with her husband, a biochemist, in Toronto where they raised their family. Dr. Ricky, as she preferred to be called, spent every day of her career fighting for equality and patient care, opening many doors for women in her discipline and pioneering new techniques for treating chronic dermatological conditions such as psoriasis and scleroderma. Her hard work, energy and devotion earned her many distinctions, including the Award of Merit from the Federation of Medical Women of Canada, the Queen's Golden Jubilee Medal, the Order of Canada, the Canadian Dermatology Association Practioner of the Year Award and an honourary doctorate from Queen's University, but she always listed family on her CV as her most important contribution. She has been honoured for her contributions by medical associations from Ontario to Poland. Dr. Schachter took great pride in her achievements, and continued working tirelessly for the benefit of her patients until she became ill in 2006. Dr. Schachter will be sorely missed by her family, friends, colleagues, students and patients.