The History of Women in Medicine: Dr Clarissa Fabre

After completing her medical training in Australia, Dr Fabre worked for a year in paediatrics in Canada, before moving to the UK (London and Oxford). Her initial specialist training was in adult medicine and paediatrics, including two years of clinical research in Oxford on perinatal factors affecting child growth and development.

She then turned to general practice after the birth of her 3 children and was Senior Partner in a large practice for 30 years. She developed an interest in medical politics, culminating in the presidency of the UK Medical Women’s Federation from 2010 to 2012. She represented all Sussex GPs at the British Medical Association from 2005 to 2012.

Dr Fabre was the Medical Women’s International Association (MWIA) representative at the WHO from 2012 to 2019. She became MWIA president in 2019.

In 2021 Dr Fabre was elected as one of the 2 health representatives on the Policy Committee of the UK Women’s Equality party.

Both her daughters are doctors.