Dr. Marla Shapiro Biography
Marla Shapiro, MDCM, CCFP, MHSc, FRCP, FCFP, NCMP
Research Canada Board of Directors, CTV Medical Consultant
Dr. Shapiro completed medical school at McGill University and trained at the University of Toronto for her Masters of Health Science in Community Health and Epidemiology. She trained in Family Medicine and is certified by the Canadian College of Family Practice. She concluded her specialty training in Preventive Medicine and Public Health, receiving her Fellowship from the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada. She holds a Fellowship in Family Medicine
and is a NAMS credentialed menopause specialist. She is an Associate Professor in the Department of Family and Community Medicine at the University of Toronto.
Viewers across Canada also tune in to see Dr. Marla Shapiro as Canada AM’s Health and Medical Expert. Every week, Dr. Shapiro continues to bring the latest medical news as well as practical advice to keep the entire family healthy on Canada’s #1 morning show.
Since 2000, Dr. Shapiro has been the Health and Medical Expert for Canada AM. In addition to her weekly appearances on Canada AM, Dr. Shapiro is seen regularly on CTV News Channel and as the medical consultant on CTV National News. In 2003, she began hosting Balance: Television for Living Well, a refreshing daily health and lifestyle show seen across North American households.
Dr. Marla Shapiro hosted Dr. Marla & Friends airing on CTV News Channel. The national program provides viewers a weekly house call with one of Canada’s most recognized health and medical experts, looking at the most timely, current and news-driven medical topics and stories.
Dr. Shapiro has written a regular column for The Globe and Mail as well as a health column for Canadian Health and Living Magazine. She currently writes her weekly blog on the CTV.ca website. She is the Founding Editor of ParentsCanada Magazine, writing a regular “Ask Dr. Marla” column. Additionally, Dr. Shapiro is a member of several committees and advisory boards including Research Canada, Research Canada, the Canadian Foundation for Women and Health, Women’s College Hospital and The North American Menopause Society. She was on the original Board of The Canadian Partnership Against Cancer having stepped down after 6 years.
2013 saw her being honoured at the 150th Bayer Anniversary among 22 leading scientists and researchers for her work in Women’s Health and contraception. In 2011, The Israeli Cancer Research Fund honoured Dr. Shapiro at their Women of Action Luncheon for her personal and professional dedication to supporting innovative cancer research. She was the recipient of the 2010 Peter R. Newman Humanitarian Award in recognition of an exemplary commitment to the welfare of individuals or the community, at home or abroad. Dr. Shapiro was the recipient of the 2005 Media Award from the North American Menopause Society for her work in expanding the understanding of menopause. She won the Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada/Canadian Foundation for Women’s Health Award for Excellence in Women’s Health Journalism in 2006 for her documentary, Run Your Own Race. The documentary was written, presented and co-produced by Dr. Shapiro, and won numerous industry awards including the New York Film Festival and the Columbus International Film and Video award.
Dr. Shapiro received an Award of Excellence from the College of Family Physicians of Canada for her lifelong commitment and dedication to family medicine in 2008. As well she was awarded the Excellence in Creative Professional Activity in 2008 by the University of Toronto, Department of Family and Community Medicine.
Her national best selling book, Life in the Balance: My Journey with Breast Cancer, was released in Fall 2006.
Other Career Highlights:
2013- Bayer 150 Outstanding Physician Women’s Health and Contraception
2011 – Named a Woman Of Action by Israeli Cancer Research Foundation
2010 – Recipient of the 2010 Peter R. Newman Humanitarian Award
2008 – Recipient of Award of Excellence from the College of Family Physicians of Canada for her lifelong commitment and dedication to family medicine
2008 – Awarded the Excellence in Creative Professional Activity in 2008 by the University of Toronto, Department of Family and Community Medicine
2006 – Winner of Canadian Foundation for Women’s Health Award for Excellence in Women’s Health Journalism (Run Your Own Race)
2005 – Recipient of the 2005 Media Award from the North American Menopause Society for her work in expanding the understanding of menopause