Christine Truesdell

Christine Truesdell is a retired legal professional. Admitted to the Bar in 1969, she developed expertise in administrative law, more specifically in health law. First a civil lawyer in private practice, then a lawyer for the Order of Pharmacists of Quebec, she then held, for 24 years, the function of administrative judge at the Administrative Tribunal of Quebec (formerly the Commission of Social Affairs of Quebec). During these years, she had to resolve numerous disputes in medical matters, particularly in mental health within the Mental Disorders Examination Commission division. Alongside her career as a lawyer, she combined her desire for social commitment with her interest in the ethical issues of medical research. She thus held, voluntarily and for around thirty years, the position of President of the Research Ethics Committee at Notre-Dame Hospital, then at the Hospital Center of the University of Montreal (CHUM). During her career, she has given several courses and conferences on adjudication, legislation, regulation and research ethics. Christine was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2019, which required surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Thanks to the scalp cooling cap procedure and the dedication of her daughter Sophie, she kept the majority of her hair, thus maintaining a good body image and... better morale! It is therefore with enthusiasm that she agreed, at Sophie's request, to become an administrator of the Garde tes Cheveux foundation, so that access to this procedure is known and facilitated for a greater number of patients. Christine has two wonderful children, who gave her five darling grandchildren to whom she tries, with some success, to pass on her love of the arts, letters and the French language.