The first woman obstetrician and gynecologist in Edmonton, Margaret MacSteven Hutton led a quiet but fruitful life in Ontario, Alberta and British Columbia.
Dr. Hutton was born in Owen Sound, Ontario on November 20, 1910. Following in the footsteps of her father she graduated from the Calgary Normal School circa 1932 and received her teacher’s certificate. She taught her first class in Springbank, just west of Calgary.
Her lifelong interest in medicine led her back to school where she earned a BA (1937) and an MD (1942) from the University of Alberta (U of A). Following an internship at the Royal Jubilee Hospital in Victoria, BC, she did post-graduate work in obstetrics and gynecology (O&G) at the U of A Hospital with Dr. J. Ross Vant.
Dr. Hutton successfully completed the RCPSC examinations in O&G and received her fellowship in 1950. In 1953 she became a fellow of the American College of Surgeons and, in 1957, a fellow of the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology.
Another distinction was membership in the New York Academy of Sciences (1962). From 1962 to 1964 she was the chair of District VIII of the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology. She also found time, from 1960 to 1963, to be the secretary-treasurer of the Alberta Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology.
Dr. Hutton’s tenure in the faculty of the U of A and as a member of the medical staff of the U of A Hospital began in 1951 when she joined Drs. Vant and Ron Horner in practice. Dr. Hutton was appointed an assistant clinical professor in the Department of O&G, eventually rising to the rank of associate clinical professor.
She was the consultant in gynecology for the U of A Student Health Services for many years and provided regular clinics in the old infirmary. Dr. Hutton taught obstetrics in the U of A Nursing Program. She also held courtesy and consultative appointments in three other Edmonton hospitals: the Royal Alexandra, the Misericordia and the Edmonton General.
In addition to her academic, administrative and clinical work, Dr. Hutton was on the Alberta Medical Association (AMA) Committee on Perinatal Mortality for five years, the last three as chair, and then the Nutrition Committee during the 1960s. She consulted on O&G to the Juvenile Offenders and Probation Branch of the Alberta Department of the Provincial Attorney General. After her move to BC, she consulted with the Perinatal Programme of that province.
Dr. Hutton authored a number of papers in her chosen field, such as:
- “Common Gynecological Disorders Related to Adolescent Development," Alberta Medical Bulletin, February 1952
- “A Clinical Review of Primary Ovarian Carcinoma,” Canadian Journal of Surgery, April 1962
- “A Study of Perinatal Deaths as a Means of Improving Perinatal Mortality and Morbidity,” Alberta Medical Bulletin, September 1964
- “Study of Perinatal Deaths as a Means of Improving Perinatal Mortality and Morbidity,” Obstetrics and Gynecology, September 1964
- “Toxemia of Pregnancy: Alberta, 1961-1963,” Alberta Medical Bulletin, August 1965
- “The Proper Anticipation of Rh Hemolytic Disease,” Alberta Medical Bulletin, November 1965
- “A Study of Social Factors Affecting Teen-Age Married Multiparae,” Canadian Journal of Public Health, January 1968
While Dr. Hutton was a U of A undergraduate, she played the piano to earn money for her university expenses. She joined the varsity Philharmonic and Literary societies. Twice she was the lead singer in The Mikado. She was awarded both a Literary “A” pin and ring, a rarity for co-eds of this era.
Dr. Hutton became well-known to Calgary and Edmonton musical audiences, participating in local performances of a number of Gilbert and Sullivan comic operas such as Iolanthe, Pirates of Penzance, The Gondoliers and The Yeoman of the Guard. She held executive positions in a number of art societies in the community including secretary of the Literary Society and vice-president of the Edmonton Philharmonic Society.
It is not generally known that Dr. Hutton was a painter. She made her own Christmas cards, some by the silk-screen method, and decorated her office windows every festive occasion.
Colleagues and classmates spoke highly of her as a considerate person, determined, with a quiet sense of humor. She always set a high standard of personal and professional behavior and was revered by her patients. Former caseroom nurse, Beatrice Clough, recalls that she was a good teacher, totally devoted to her patients and the profession alike.
In 1970 Dr. Hutton resigned from the U of A and the U of A Hospital medical staff, closed her office and moved to Victoria, where she joined the staff of the Royal Jubilee Hospital. Over the next 13 years she maintained her Alberta registration and contacts with colleagues in Alberta.
In her mountain-top home in Sooke, BC, Margaret enjoyed her unspoiled surroundings with her faithful dog. The panoramic view, aided by a telescope, provided her with frequent opportunities to observe the comings and goings of sea vessels. She had the pleasure of painting them.
Dr. Margaret MacSteven Hutton passed away in Victoria, June 10, 1983. She was predeceased by her parents, Mr. and Mrs. A.E. Hutton, and one younger brother, William Arthur Hutton.
A recipient of Dr. Hutton’s generosity was the AMA to whom she bequeathed the residual of her estate in a codicil to her will, dated February 12, 1982. Including principal and interest, this amounted to $313,280 and was transferred on August 31, 1985 with the instructions: ". . . to use the income and capital for special projects sponsored by a Committee of the Association, subject to the approval of the Association’s Board of Directors.”
The AMA Board of Directors asked for proposals on how the money should be allocated. At this time, the AMA Committee on Archives had become formally incorporated as the Alberta Medical Foundation (AMF).
Dr. D.R. Wilson submitted a proposal on behalf of the AMF requesting that the Hutton bequest be given to the AMF for medical historical and archival purposes. The AMA board agreed and allocated the funds to the AMF.
In recognition of Dr. Hutton’s contributions as a teacher, performing artist, physician, colleague and benefactress, her memory is perpetuated by the AMF through the Margaret Hutton Lectures series, which is now part of the program of the annual general meetings of the AMA.