Dr. Monique A. Frize has been inducted into the Clinical Engineering Hall of Fame in recognition of her significant contributions to Clinical Engineering in many areas. 

She is a trailblazing Canadian clinical engineer with a formidable array of academic qualifications and professional credentials, has significantly advanced the safety standards of medical equipment in Canada and globally. In 1966, she became the first woman to graduate in electrical engineering from the University of Ottawa with a BASc degree, marking the beginning of her groundbreaking journey. Through her unwavering dedication, she has paved the way for numerous women in the field of engineering.  During her academic career spanning over 3 decades, she was awarded approximately CAD$3 million in research grants, supervised 48 master's students, five PhD students, two post-doctoral students, and 35 undergraduate theses. She published over 200 papers, of which 155 were in peer-refereed conferences, 36 in journals, 11 chapters in books and six complete books as a single author. She discovered the major causes of electro surgical burns during surgery and received a patent for electrode design in 1987.

Education:

• D.Sc., Erasmus Universiteit, Rotterdam, The Netherlands, Fac. Economische, 1989
  
• M.B.A., Université de Moncton, Moncton, New Brunswick,1986
  
• D.I.C., Electrical Engineering, Imperial College, London, 1970
  
• M. Phil., Electrical Engineering, Imperial College, London, 1970
  
• B.A. Sc., University of Ottawa Electrical Engineering, 1966​
  

Certification, Registration and Peer Recognition:

• Distinguished Alumni Award, Imperial College, London 2024
  
• Fellow IUPESM 2020
  
• Honorary Life Member, IFMBE 2015
  
• Life Member IEEE/EMBS 2015
  
• Fellow CMBES 2013
  
• Fellow IEEE 2012
  
• PEO/OSPE 2010 Gold Medal Recipient 2010
  
• Fellow of Engineers Canada 2010
  
• Associate Researcher, Telecom-Bretagne
  
• Honorary Doctorate (D. Hum.), Mount St-Vincent University, Halifax​ 2006
  

Summary of her Career

Dr. Frize joined Notre-Dame Hospital in 1971, the same year as the publication of Ralph Nader's influential article on electrical safety in the Ladies Home Journal, Dr. Frize embarked on a pioneering career as a clinical engineer. In this role, she spearheaded crucial initiatives to enhance the safety and effectiveness of medical equipment, playing a key role in defining the emerging profession of clinical engineering. Her technical expertise and innovative approach significantly contributed to the field, evidenced by her tenure as Director of Regional Clinical Engineering Service for seven hospitals in New Brunswick, during which her department's responsibilities expanded dramatically.

Dr. Frize gained international renown for her groundbreaking research and publications on Clinical Engineering, particularly in Canada, the USA, and Europe, as well as her investigation into electrosurgical burns. In 1979, she was selected as one of five members of a working group by the International Federation on Medical and Biological Engineering (IFMBE) tasked with developing Clinical Engineering across thirty affiliated countries and serving as IFMBE/Clinical Engineering Division (CED) first board chair. Her impact extended globally as she aided in establishing clinical engineering programs in countries like Morocco, Bangladesh, and Haiti.

In 1989, Dr. Frize was appointed as the inaugural Chairholder of the Northern Telecom/NSERC Chair for Women in Engineering at the University of New Brunswick, a position that underscored her commitment to promoting gender diversity in the field. Subsequently, she held a full professorship at Carleton University from 1997 to 2002, with a concurrent appointment at the University of Ottawa, while also serving as the Chair for Women in Science and Engineering in Ontario.

Throughout her illustrious academic career spanning over five decades, Dr. Frize secured substantial research funding, mentored numerous graduate and undergraduate students, and authored a prolific body of work encompassing over 200 papers and six books. Her groundbreaking research on the causes of electro surgical burns culminated in a patented electrode design in 1987.

Dr. Frize's contributions have been recognized with numerous awards and honors, including induction as a Fellow of prestigious organizations such as IUPESM, CMBES, IEEE, the Canadian Academy of Engineering, and Engineers Canada. Her induction into the Order of Canada acknowledges her influential role in biomedical engineering and her inspirational impact on women pursuing careers in science. Additionally, she has received honorary Doctorate degrees from several esteemed institutions and prestigious accolades such as the Gold Medal from Professional Engineers Ontario and the Ontario Society of Professional Engineers, as well as the Governor General's Award in Commemoration of the Persons Case in 2019.

Below are some extracts from the material provided for his nomination:​

"Monique's groundbreaking work in medical instruments and decision support systems has set a new standard in our field. Her dedication to patient safety, as showcased in our co-organized Italo-Canadian workshop in Ottawa, demonstrated her commitment to the betterment of healthcare. Moreover, Monique's roles, first as Chair of the Clinical Engineering division and later of the Council of Societies within IFMBE - positions I have had the honor to assume following her exemlary tenure - exemplify her influence and respect in our professional community".

"Without doubt, she had a fundamental impact that has led to greater percentages of women in engineering as a whole, and many more women in leadership positions in science and engineering-based organizations. In writing this, I must stress the extent to which her work here was innovative. She had to challenge the status quo on a daily basis, and keep reminding people that women will only feel comfortable in science and engineering when they are welcomed as full equals and respected for their contributions. Her quite exceptional list of honours accurately reflects the profound impact that she had in this area. It is no exaggeration to say that she changed Canadian society for the better, and her impact was felt by women in other professions such as law and medicine. Throughout this work, Monique somehow found the time to remain focused on clinical engineering, through teaching, student supervision and research. She taught and mentored a generation of students who have gone on to have a profound impact in the field of clinical engineering, both here in Canada and internationally. Simply reviewing the thesis titles of her students reveals the eclectic nature of her interests, and her ability to see new ways in which clinical engineering can be applied for the improvement of health care throughout the world."​​

The first Clinical Engineering Division IFMBE. Left to right: Barry Feinberg (USA), Hannu Seitsonen (Finland), Larry Knucky (Australia), Monique Frize (Canada), Geaorges Broun (France), Ake Oberg (Sweden), and Diethart Kraft (DDR). The meeting was held jointly with the first International Clinical Engineering Conference organized by Broun and the Division with 100 participants in June 1996.