Information collected and submitted by Heather Gardiner and Bay Centre staff
Women’s College Hospital (WCH) has been at the forefront of women’s health and education since it opened and has continued its legacy of championing equitable access to care throughout the decades, including being a leader in sexual and reproductive health since the 1970s. After contraception was legalized in Canada, WCH once again took up the call to provide safe and timely access to this integral care and opened up the Bay Centre for Birth Control on March 19, 1973.
This year, Bay Centre celebrates its 50th anniversary and in the last fifty years, the centre has amassed many milestones and achievements. To celebrate this anniversary, take a trip through the decades and see the Bay Centre’s humble roots and how far they’ve come.
March 19, 1973
Bay Centre for Birth Control Opens
Bay Centre for Birth Control opens its doors as Toronto’s first hospital-supported walk-in birth control clinic, located at 901 Bay Street in a small house. The space is shared with WCH’s Cancer Detection Clinic.
Dr. Jadwiga Iwanowska is appointed as Bay Centre’s first medical director. Its staff consists of one public health nurse, two counsellors, four physicians, and six volunteer workers.
In its first year, Bay Centre sees 2,216 patients – with 70% of its patients under the age of 20 years old.
Bay Centre also establishes itself as a teaching site, accepting nursing, medical, social work and pharmacy students.
1975
Bay Centre’s Joyce Kennedy becomes WCH’s first nurse practitioner
September 1976
Planned Parenthood Volunteer Counsellors join Bay Centre
Trained volunteer counsellors from Planned Parenthood Toronto start working eight half-day shifts per week at the Bay Centre after an agreement between the two organizations is reached. According to WCH, “the enterprise has been judged to be extremely successful by patients, Planned Parenthood and the Bay Centre staff alike.”
1981
Dr. Marion Powell is appointed as the Medical Director of Bay Centre
Dr. Powell joined the staff of Bay Centre in July 1973 as a staff physician. For the next 20+ year she conducts numerous research studies out of Bay Centre in the areas of sexual and reproductive health. She also becomes a trusted advisor to the Canadian and Ontario governments on issues related to reproductive rights. Dr. Powell later retires as Bay Centre’s Medical Director in 1988 but remains on its staff until her death in 1997.
February 12 – 18, 1984
Birth Control Week
Bay Centre takes centre stage at “Birth Control Week” as Toronto’s busiest and only full-time birth control clinic.
1984
Bay Centre’s Dr. Marion Powell is awarded Toronto’s YWCA Woman of Distinction Award for health and education
1986
Bay Centre Education
Bay Centre reaches over 1,000 students from Toronto and Peel Region with its High School Education Program.
1988
Women’s Health Centre
Bay Centre is incorporated into Ontario’s first Regional Women’s Health Centre located at WCH and later moves into 790 Bay Street.
1990
Bay Centre Moves
In 1990, Bay Centre moves from 901 Bay St. into an office building at 790 Bay St.
1997
Women’s Health Matters Forum & Expo
Between 1997 – 2009, Bay Centre participates in the annual Women’s Health Matters Forum & Expo to promote its services and provide sexual health information.
2002
Dr. Sheila Dunn Receives Dr. Marion Powell Award
Dr. Sheila Dunn, Medical Director of Bay Centre, is awarded the Dr. Marion Powell Award – an award established by WCH to recognize individuals who exemplify Dr. Powell’s legacy of leadership, commitment, and dedication to the advocacy of women’s health.