connie fozzard

Healthcare

1933 – 2021

Suggested by Dave Hunter

Dave says, “Connie Fozzard was a major figure and inspirational role model in Cornish medical care for over 40 years who bestowed a sizeable legacy to further medical research in Cornwall. She was a truly exceptional medical professional who touched the lives of thousands of women in Cornwall and beyond. A no nonsense and a don’t suffer fools gladly approach typified her working life. She was also at the research forefront of decriminalising so called recreational drugs. I remember her as a powerful force for good.”

From Wikipedia: Constance Fozzard was born in London and completed a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery in 1958 at Charing Cross Hospital. She was house medical officer at Mount Vernon Hospital, resident medical officer in obstetrics at Queen Charlotte’s Hospital and Chelsea Hospital, where she met her husband Randolph White, a pathologist. In 1967 she became a Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons of England. Following this she was consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist for the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Health Service, working in gynaecology at Camborne Redruth Community Hospital and obstetrics at Royal Cornwall Hospital Treliske. Connie established a colposcopy service in Cornwall and jointly ran a gynaecological cancer service.

Fozzard was deeply involved with the BMA, serving as chair of its Cornish division, regional consultants committee, and retired members forum. In local politics she was a district councillor for Carrick and city councillor for Truro. Connie had no children; her former colleague Peter Callen wrote that she was told as a registrar by a senior surgeon “that it was incompatible for a woman to have a family and become a consultant. This I believe had a bearing on her decision not to have children, which in my opinion she later regretted.”

Image supplied by Dave Hunter.

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