Dr. Joni Guptill ('76)

Dr. Joni Guptill (’76) is an internationally renowned humanitarian. After graduating with an honours degree in chemistry from Acadia, she studied medicine at Dalhousie University and established a practice in Halifax for seven years and then in rural New Brunswick until 2008. While practicing in New Brunswick, she established several clinical care programs, including a rural Family Medicine Obstetrics program at the Upper River Valley Hospital in Waterville, New Brunswick.

Guptill has been involved with Doctors Without Borders (Medicins Sans Frontières) for more than 20 years. She completed studies in Tropical Medicine in London, England in 1990 and was recruited there by Doctors Without Borders. She opened the Atlantic Canada office for MSF in 1990 and over the last 23 years has been involved in many capacities, including overseas projects in Somalia, Turkey, China, Syria/Iraq, and South Sudan. In 2006, she joined the Board of MSF Canada and served for six years as an active member. She was President of the Board between 2009 and 2011. Guptill currently resides in Halifax.

“Our family has a long history of attending Acadia, including my brother, my father, my father’s brother and my mother’s mother, who attended Horton Academy just after the turn of the last century. Other great-aunts and uncles and my mother’s siblings also attended.

 “I had been a bit unruly in my high school years, but settled into my studies at Acadia. I had wonderful mentors, including Dr. Merritt Gibson (’51), Dr. Dan Toews, Dr. Sherman Bleakney (’49) and my most special mentor, Dr. James Perkins (’95) – my minor was in religious studies.  Acadia was a place of higher learning in my student years with dedicated professors who took an interest in the education and development of their students. I am forever indebted to these professors who piqued my interest in science and played an important role in my development as a responsible student.

“I was involved in some sports – junior varsity basketball for one year – but mostly I pursued academics. In fact, I decided to pursue a career in medicine with a special interest in developing country work while I was in my third year at Acadia. It was somewhat of an epiphany and suitably came to me while I was bouncing a tennis ball against the wall of the Acadia Chapel.

“After my third year of studies, I worked in the mudflats around the Valley, collecting samples and counting invertebrates in a study on the feeding of migrating shorebirds. Great fun and a wonderful summer. There are other stories that involve tubing on the Gaspereau, trips to Brier Island, Dryden falls, three pools and all of the wonderful surroundings that make Acadia such a special location. I have wonderful memories of Acadia and it has a very special place in my heart. In 1996, I was married in the Acadia Chapel to my husband, Dale Fox.

“I have been very kindly remembered by Acadia, with a Distinguished Alumni Award in 2009 and an Honorary Doctorate in 2010. I always highly recommend Acadia to any students. The combination of high academic standards, the beautiful surroundings and the historical setting of Wolfville are a perfect environment for students to grow and develop.”