Victoria surgeon a champion for women’s health and cancer care

It’s a terrifying reality: one in eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime – and 13 per cent of all cancer deaths in women are due to breast cancer.

The fact that it is so staggeringly common is one of the reasons why this week’s Inspiring Island Woman, Dr. Heather Emmerton-Coughlin, has made it a priority to care for the women who have it.

“In my early years I was very passionate about space and thought I might become an astronaut when I grew up,” says Emmerton-Coughlin.

But after interning at the Canadian Space Agency and working on the Canadarm, she found the career meant too much time alone at a desk.

“It isn’t the same as being able to really sit with people here and interact with people and eventually to help people,” says Emmerton-Coughlin.

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So helping people is what she decided to do. She became a surgeon who went on to save and positively change countless lives.

“She’s amazing. I really enjoy working for Heather,” says Kristi Thomas, who has been Emmerton-Coughlin’s professional assistant for nine years.

“She’s just always so thoughtful, passionate,” says Thomas. “Everyone usually leaves the room saying, ‘Oh my god, she’s wonderful, she’s just so amazing.’”

Emmerton-Coughlin’s focus is on cancer care and she’s a champion for women’s health. With a colleague, she established the first of its kind, South Island breast cancer program allowing women to be matched quickly with a surgeon who can look after them.

“System delays are often one of the hardest parts and so we wanted to make sure women were getting their care as efficiently as possible, and this has really allowed for that,” says Emmerton-Coughlin.

Emmerton-Coughlin was inspired to pursue this field of healthcare while she was in residency, when she met a woman in her 20s – a cancer patient who was already palliative.

“She taught me that there can be joy even in those darkest moments, where there isn’t hope still for a cure but there is hope, still, for a meaningful life,” she says.

With that experience in her heart, Emmerton-Coughlin has taken her commitment to cancer and women’s health beyond the operating room. Speaking at November’s Victoria Hospitals Foundation Visions Gala, she helped to raise a record $3.7 million.

RELATED: Visions Gala raises record-breaking $3.65M for surgical care in Greater Victoria

“She always makes it really clear how transformational it is, the equipment that our donors fund for her practice or her patients,” said Colleen Bronson with the Victoria Hospitals Foundation. “She expresses that she feels that impact every day.”

Being a surgeon of 14 years may not be as glamorous as being an astronaut, but the 45-year-old married mother of two is beyond happy in her universe here and at home.

“I feel blessed every day that I get to do what I do,” she says. “We are so privileged to live on this beautiful Island.”

The Victoria Hospitals Foundation’s current campaign is supporting women’s health. If you’d like to make a donation, you can visit their website.

Read more Inspiring Island Women stories here