Laurette was trained as a physician and a pathologist in South Africa, and has master’s degrees in Anatomical Pathology and Medical Education.
She is a Professor at Dalhousie University, and specializes in her medical practice in the pathology of medical diseases of the kidney, including transplantation. She also has interests in Medical Education, the Medical Humanities, including Medical History, and most recently and most passionately, Planetary Health.
She served as Division Head and Service Chief of Anatomical Pathology at the QEII Health Sciences Centre for 10 years; and is a Past President of the Canadian Association of Pathologists (CAP-ACP); Vice Chair of the CAP-ACP Section on the Humanities and International Health; Chair of the CAP-ACP National Specialty Network on the Environment; Secretary of the Doctors Nova Scotia Section on Planetary Health; Chair of the Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment’s Nova Scotian Regional Committee (CAPE NS); and member of the Department of Pathology Green Team, the Board of CAPE, the Board of the Ecology Action Centre, and St. Matthew’s United Church Earth Spirit Action Team.
She is particularly interested in the greening of health care; the health effects of the climate emergency; and the beneficial health effects of spending time in nature.
Her three lovey daughters, her two adorable grandsons, and her love of nature inspire her in her planetary health advocacy.