Dr. Florence Marguerite "Peggy" Hill was born in Toronto on May 24, 1919. In 1936, she enrolled in the University of Toronto on a scholarship to study Arts. In 1941, she graduated with a Master's in Psychology. She then worked for a year as a psychologist in the Juvenile Court system.
In 1942, F. M. Hill joined the Canadian Women's Army Medical Corps, where she was in charge of personnel selection. While in the military, she achieved the rank of Captain, and in 1944 she served a tour overseas in England.
After being discharged in 1946, F. M. Hill returned to the University of Toronto. As a veteran, she was entitled to a free education and could now afford to attend medical school. She graduated with a medical degree in 1952 and was awarded that year's gold medal for the highest academic standing in the Faculty of Medicine.
From 1952-1957, Dr. Hill completed postgraduate training in internal medicine, specialising in kidney disease. In 1957, she became the first woman to be appointed Chief Resident at Toronto General Hospital. She also became a Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians in Canada in 1957.
Dr. Hill joined the Department of Medicine at Women's College Hospital as a staff physician in 1958. In 1965, she became Physician-in-Chief of the Department of Medicine. She would remain Physician-in-Chief until her retirement in 1984. During her time at Women's College Hospital, she turned the Department of Medicine into a strong clinical and teaching unit. She also served on the Women's College Hospital Board of Directors (1966-1982, 1990-1997).
In addition to her activities at the hospital, Dr. F. M. Hill was appointed to the University of Toronto as an Associate Professor in 1965, and was promoted to full Professor in 1968. She was named Professor Emeritus upon her retirement in 1984.
Dr. Hill became a Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada in 1958 and served for many years as an examiner in Internal Medicine for the College. She was a founding member of the Canadian Society for Nephrologists and was a member of the Federation of Medical Women of Canada and the American College of Physicians. In 1968, Dr. Hill was the first woman appointed to the board of the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce.
In 1994, Dr. Hill was awarded the Order of Canada for her work in teaching and patient care.
Dr. F. M. Hill died in her home on January 15, 2012, at the age of 93.
[188-]-2008