MP, surgeon, shares four steps to success.
Coun. Allan Hubley, Dr. Kellie Leitch, singer Gail Gavan and emcee Sandy Sharkey.
Jessica Cunha/Metroland
There are four steps to being successful in life, said Dr. Kellie Leitch at a Women’s Day event.
Leitch, a pediatric orthopedic surgeon and MP for Simcoe-Grey, said the four aspects have served her well in her careers.
“Some of it is about choices,” she said.
Leitch’s four ingredients to success are:
* Education
* Excellent mentors
* Taking on something enjoyable
* Hard work
Kanata South Coun. Allan Hubley hosted the event at the Kanata Recreation Complex on March 6.
Leitch, who also serves as the parliamentary secretary for human resources and skills development, and to the Minister of Labour, earned her doctorate of medicine at the University of Toronto and master of business administration at Dalhousie University. She completed her orthopaedic surgery residency program at the Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles and the University of Southern California.
She said she was very fortunate to have wonderful mentors along the way.
“I had two female deans (who) wanted young people to be successful,” she said.
Other mentors include Carol Stephenson, a business leader in telecommunications and pediatric surgeon Dr. John Wedge.
“I’ve been very fortunate,” she said in a previous interview. “I’ve been in what most people would consider male dominated professions.”
To be a mentor is also important.
“(Mentors) empower other young women … so they have opportunities in the future.”
And she’s doing what she loves – helping families.
“I have the good fortune of taking care of tiny tykes,” she said, adding people need to find their passion and just go for it.
In her role as MP, she’s also working for families, she said, “To do good public policy.”
She was instrumental in having legislation developed to allow sitting members of parliament to continue practicing in their other jobs, such as pilots and doctors, in order to maintain their credentials.
“(The prime minister) acted within eight days to accommodate individuals who were required to do practice … to keep their license,” she said. “I think it spoke volumes.”
And it all funnels into hard work.
“I’ve been lucky,” she said, adding that she’s also worked hard. “It does take a big leap of faith and a tremendous amount of service.”
Now, she’s hoping others will consider a life in public service.
“Making choices to take on leadership roles … that’s about making a choice to do public service,” she said. “So young Canadians have opportunities.”
Singer Gail Gavan provided musical entertainment for the evening while Sandy Sharkey emceed the event.
“It was great to have such a wonderful turnout and to celebrate Women’s Day,” said Hubley. “With role models like Dr. Leitch, Gail Gavan and Sandy Sharkey, there are no limits to what can be achieved.”