Gloria Baylis
Gloria Baylis was a pioneering nurse, entrepreneur, and civil rights advocate whose career spanned healthcare, business, and social justice. She was the founder of Baylis Medical, a Canadian medical device company recognized for its innovation and impact in healthcare. Gloria’s legacy of innovation and excellence continues through her son, Frank Baylis, a graduate of the University of Waterloo.
EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND
Gloria Baylis trained in nursing and midwifery in England, completing her studies at Kingston General Hospital, Chiswick Maternity Hospital, and the Myddelton Square Nursing Association. She began her career in Montreal in 1952, serving at Montreal General Hospital, Hôtel-Dieu de Montréal, the Jewish General Hospital, and Reddy Memorial Hospital, later becoming Operating Room Supervisor at Catherine Booth Hospital. Her extensive clinical experience laid the foundation for her later success as a healthcare entrepreneur and founder of Baylis Medical.
LEGACY AND INFLUENCE
Landmark civil rights case
In 1964, Gloria Baylis applied for a part-time nursing position at the Queen Elizabeth Hotel (managed by Hilton of Canada). When the hotel denied her employment, Baylis filed a complaint under Quebec’s newly passed law against employment discrimination.
Her case went to trial in 1965 and ultimately became the first successful employment-related racial discrimination decision in Canada. The ruling affirmed that she had been denied the job due to her race, not her qualifications, setting an early precedent in Canadian human rights jurisprudence.
That victory was symbolic and transformative. Not only for her personally, but also for the wider fight against systemic discrimination in employment.
Entrepreneurship and Baylis Medical
Later in her life, Gloria Baylis combined her medical insight and entrepreneurial vision. In 1986, she founded Baylis Medical Company, initially as an importer and distributor of medical devices.
Guided by her commitment to improving patient outcomes, she grew the company into a pioneering Canadian enterprise that designed and manufactured proprietary technologies in interventional cardiology, radiology, and pain management.
Under her leadership, Baylis Medical became known for its culture of innovation, excellence, and integrity, earning recognition as one of Canada’s Best Managed Companies. Her vision helped open new frontiers in minimally invasive medicine and paved the way for Canadian-made innovations to reach patients around the world.
Gloria Baylis Foundation
In honour of her legacy, the Gloria Baylis Foundation was established by her son, Frank Baylis, to continue her lifelong dedication to improving access to education, healthcare, and community advancement.
The Foundation partners with Canadian organizations that share this mission, supporting initiatives that create opportunities for learning, growth, and well-being across communities.
Reflecting Gloria’s belief that equitable access to quality education, care, and opportunity can transform lives, the Foundation carries forward her spirit of compassion and her enduring commitment to helping others reach their full potential.