Marilyn McHarg, is a humanitarian executive. She was President and CEO of

Dignitas International Dignitas International is a medical and research organization, which is dedicated to improving access to lifesaving treatment and care for HIV, TB and related diseases in resource-limited settings. Dignitas was founded by James Orbinski and Jam ...

, as well as a founding member and General Director of the Canadian section of

Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF; pronounced ), also known as Doctors Without Borders, is a humanitarian medical non-governmental organisation (NGO) or charity of French origin known for its projects in conflict zones and in countries affected by endemic diseases. ...

(MSF) / Doctors Without Borders, the world's leading independent medical humanitarian organization.

Biography

With a Master's degree in Applied Sciences in Nursing (1984–1987) from

McGill University McGill University (french: link=no, Université McGill) is an English-language public research university located in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Founded in 1821 by royal charter granted by King George IV,Frost, Stanley Brice. ''McGill Universit ...

Montréal Montreal ( ; officially Montréal, ) is the second-most populous city in Canada and most populous city in the Canadian province of Quebec. Founded in 1642 as '' Ville-Marie'', or "City of Mary", it is named after Mount Royal, the triple- ...

, McHarg spent nine years in Africa from 1991 until 2000 working for MSF as a field nurse in

Uganda }), is a landlocked country in East Africa. The country is bordered to the east by Kenya, to the north by South Sudan, to the west by the Democratic Republic of the Congo, to the south-west by Rwanda, and to the south by Tanzania. The south ...

, a training consultant and a medical coordinator in Sudan, and a medical coordinator as well as Head of Mission in

South Sudan South Sudan (; din, Paguot Thudän), officially the Republic of South Sudan ( din, Paankɔc Cuëny Thudän), is a landlocked country in East Africa. It is bordered by Ethiopia, Sudan, Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of the ...

and

Liberia Liberia (), officially the Republic of Liberia, is a country on the West African coast. It is bordered by Sierra Leone to its northwest, Guinea to its north, Ivory Coast to its east, and the Atlantic Ocean to its south and southwest. It ...

. Following nine years in the field identifying humanitarian needs, translating medical policy into project activities, supervising financial management and logistical support, and implementing project activities ranging from health education and basic health services to water and sanitation services, relief distributions, and famine response, McHarg was based in Europe as Operational Director for MSF in Holland and later as Director of Operations with MSF in Geneva from 2000 until 2006 with responsibility for missions in 20 countries. Prior to her work with MSF, McHarg was a registered nurse at

Women's College Hospital Women's College Hospital is a teaching hospital in downtown Toronto, Ontario, Canada. It is located at the north end of Hospital Row, a section of University Avenue where several major hospitals are located. It currently functions as an indepen ...

and Sunnybrook Medical Centre in

Toronto Toronto ( ; or ) is the capital city of the Provinces and territories of Canada, Canadian province of Ontario. With a recorded population of 2,794,356 in 2021, it is the List of the largest municipalities in Canada by population, most pop ...

and a research assistant and laboratory technologist at St. Joseph's Hospital in

Hamilton, Ontario Hamilton is a port city in the Canadian province of Ontario. Hamilton has a population of 569,353, and its census metropolitan area, which includes Burlington and Grimsby, has a population of 785,184. The city is approximately southwest of ...

and research assistant at Queen's University in

Kingston, Ontario Kingston is a city in Ontario, Canada. It is located on the north-eastern end of Lake Ontario, at the beginning of the St. Lawrence River and at the mouth of the Cataraqui River (south end of the Rideau Canal). The city is midway between Toront ...

. In addition to her Master's degree, McHarg graduated with a Bachelor of Science:

Life Sciences This list of life sciences comprises the branches of science that involve the scientific study of life – such as microorganisms, plants, and animals including human beings. This science is one of the two major branches of natural science, th ...

and

Psychology Psychology is the scientific study of mind and behavior. Psychology includes the study of conscious and unconscious phenomena, including feelings and thoughts. It is an academic discipline of immense scope, crossing the boundaries betwe ...

from Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario (1978 – 1983) and holds certificates in tropical medicine, critical care, quality assurance and nursing audits. In 1996 she obtained a pilot’s license. In acknowledgement of her humanitarian work, she was awarded the Golden Jubilee in 2002. She received an Honorary Doctor of Laws degree and the Alumni Humanitarian award from Queen’s University, as well as an award of distinction from the Cenntenial Foundation in 2008. In 2011, McHarg was named as a Woman of the Year by Chatelaine magazine, and in 2012 she received an honorary diploma from Niagara College and the Successful Canadian Women award from Adsum in Nova Scotia. In 2015, she was made a member of the

Order of Ontario The Order of Ontario () is the most prestigious official honour in the Canadian province of Ontario. Instituted in 1986 by Lieutenant Governor Lincoln Alexander, on the advice of the Cabinet under Premier David Peterson, the civilian order is adm ...

and in the

2021 Canadian Honours List The Canadian Honours of 2021 were announced on 30 December 2020. The Order of Canada Companions of the Order of Canada * Robert Daniel Steadward, CC, AOE Officers of the Order of Canada * John Borrows, OC, FRSC * Helen M. Burt, OC * ...

, she was made a member of the

Order of Canada The Order of Canada (french: Ordre du Canada; abbreviated as OC) is a Canadian state order and the second-highest honour for merit in the system of orders, decorations, and medals of Canada, after the Order of Merit. To coincide with the c ...

References

External links

Médecins Sans Frontières / Doctors Without Borders

https://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/LAC.20070207.TREXEC07/TPStory/specialTravel ''l''] {{DEFAULTSORT:McHarg, Marilyn Year of birth missing (living people) Living people Canadian activists Members of the Order of Ontario