For more than two decades, Heather lived with debilitating pelvic pain that repeatedly disrupted every aspect of her life. No matter how many times she visited doctors to ask for help, her symptoms were dismissed as “normal.” With no answers and no relief, she learned to live around the pain—despite its mental, emotional and relational toll.
It wasn’t until 2017 that Heather finally received the diagnosis she had been searching for: endometriosis. But as for so many women in Canada, Heather’s diagnosis did not immediately lead to specialized care. That changed when she met Dr. Olga Bougie—now Head of Research in Endometriosis and Pelvic Pain at Sinai Health – who was able to offer Heather the comprehensive, expert support she deserved.
“Medical care for endometriosis can become quite complex. I’m proud that there’s a concerted effort at Sinai Health to start to move the needle and help more individuals get the interdisciplinary care that they need,” says Dr. Bougie.
Sinai Health is home to one of the only clinics in Canada that specializes in neuropelveology—an emerging field focused on diagnosing and treating complex pelvic nerve conditions, including endometriosis and compressed pelvic nerves. Along with an interdisciplinary team of specialists, experts like Dr. Bougie are advancing a new standard of care for endometriosis for patients like Heather, pictured below. This clinic integrates surgical excellence, pain management, fertility considerations and leading‑edge research to ensure each patient receives the support they need to manage this complex chronic condition.
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Record-breaking investment aims to redefine the future of endometriosis diagnosis and care
In 2025, transformative donor support accelerated this leadership. A historic $5‑million gift from the Friedrichsen Cooper Family is expanding fellowship training, strengthening research into endometriosis and pelvic pain, and supporting the development of a new diagnostic tool—an app powered by AI to help shorten the long diagnostic journeys that patients face. It also allowed Sinai Health to establish the Friedrichsen Cooper Family Chair in Endometriosis and Pelvic Pain. This Chair, held by acclaimed neuropelveologist Dr. Nucelio Lemos, will fuel continued exploration into the causes of endometriosis and pelvic pain as well as the development of more effective diagnosis and treatment. This investment strengthens Sinai Health’s role as a national leader addressing long‑standing gaps in women’s health research, diagnosis and treatment.
After undergoing complex surgery, Heather is now navigating life beyond the pain that defined so much of her past. “I’m grateful for the care I received,” she says. “And I’m hopeful for everyone who will benefit from this work.”
“I’m forever grateful to Dr. Bougie for being there at that moment. She knew that I was heartbroken to have that surgery. And she just made sure that I never felt like I had to navigate it alone.”
Thanks to donor partnerships, Sinai Health is redefining what endometriosis care can look like for the approximately 2 million women across Canada living with this disease. Together, we can make sure—so women like Heather no longer have to suffer in silence.
