News
Announcing the 2020 and 2021 Distinguished Alumnae
We are thrilled to congratulate Dr. Sarah KAWAGUCHI ’05 (2020) and Beth BEATTIE ’86 (2021), our Distinguished Old Girl Award (DOGA) recipients.
The DOGA is presented to an alum who has made a difference in the lives of others by giving back to the community, contributing a great deal to her profession, or showing tremendous leadership.
2020 - Dr. Sarah KAWAGUCHI ’05
Dr. Sarah Kawaguchi, a palliative care doctor at the Temmy Latner Centre for Palliative Care at Mount Sinai Hospital, is recognized for her important work in providing relief from symptoms and stresses of terminally ill patients. Sarah was one of the doctors who cared for Ashley MIKLAS ’14, who was diagnosed with sarcoma, a rare cancer of the soft tissues. It was only two days before Ashley died when two of her closest friends, Rachel SHERMAN ’14 and Taylor SKURKA ’14, realized they had a special common tie with Sarah — they were all BSS Old Girls. Sarah was nominated by Ashley’s mother Holly Miklas, Ashley’s extended family, and Estelle PHILLIPS ’14, Serena GOLDRING ’14 and Carly VALENTINE ’14. Ashley’s family and friends were inspired to nominate Sarah because she is compassionate, kind and inclusive — just like Ashley.
2021 - Beth BEATTIE ’86
Beth Beattie, a senior counsel for the Ontario Ministry of the Attorney General, is recognized for the incredible impact her mental health advocacy has had on society. Beth has touched many Canadian lives by sharing her story with bipolar disorder as a Friend for the Bell Let’s Talk campaign since 2018. She is a founding member of the Mental Health Illuminati, a group of employees from the Ontario Ministry of the Attorney General that provides education and advocacy work. Beth also formed a team called The Bipolar Express, which has raised more than $130,000 for the Canadian Mental Health Association’s (CMHA) “Ride Don’t Hide” fundraiser. Beth was nominated by fellow BSS alumna, Sarah NEILSON ’84, former teacher, Liz Woolley, and her sister Katherine BEATTIE '83.
Read more about our previous DOGA recipients here.
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2020 - Dr. Sarah KAWAGUCHI ’05
Dr. Sarah Kawaguchi, a palliative care doctor at the Temmy Latner Centre for Palliative Care at Mount Sinai Hospital, is recognized for her important work in providing relief from symptoms and stresses of terminally ill patients. Sarah was one of the doctors who cared for Ashley MIKLAS ’14, who was diagnosed with sarcoma, a rare cancer of the soft tissues. It was only two days before Ashley died when two of her closest friends, Rachel SHERMAN ’14 and Taylor SKURKA ’14, realized they had a special common tie with Sarah — they were all BSS Old Girls. Sarah was nominated by Ashley’s mother Holly Miklas, Ashley’s extended family, and Estelle PHILLIPS ’14, Serena GOLDRING ’14 and Carly VALENTINE ’14. Ashley’s family and friends were inspired to nominate Sarah because she is compassionate, kind and inclusive — just like Ashley.
2021 - Beth BEATTIE ’86
Beth Beattie, a senior counsel for the Ontario Ministry of the Attorney General, is recognized for the incredible impact her mental health advocacy has had on society. Beth has touched many Canadian lives by sharing her story with bipolar disorder as a Friend for the Bell Let’s Talk campaign since 2018. She is a founding member of the Mental Health Illuminati, a group of employees from the Ontario Ministry of the Attorney General that provides education and advocacy work. Beth also formed a team called The Bipolar Express, which has raised more than $130,000 for the Canadian Mental Health Association’s (CMHA) “Ride Don’t Hide” fundraiser. Beth was nominated by fellow BSS alumna, Sarah NEILSON ’84, former teacher, Liz Woolley, and her sister Katherine BEATTIE '83.
Read more about our previous DOGA recipients here.
