A complete life
Professional hockey player turned dental student Anissa Gamble says her life, which combines her passion for health care, diabetes research, advocacy and hockey, is complete
By Jennifer Párraga, BA’93
Two years ago, Anissa Gamble left one passion for another. A full-time professional hockey player, she accepted an offer of admission to Schulich Dentistry and began a new journey as a health care learner, researcher and advocate.
It’s a journey that Gamble says makes her life complete. Not only will she be able to advance diabetes research, a cause close to her heart, but she also says this new path as a health care professional will give her the skills she needs to grow and serve as an advocate while enriching the health of Canadians.
Stepping on the ice at the age of three, Gamble fell in love with hockey in her home province of New Brunswick. With no girl’s hockey teams available, she started playing with boys. Her skills soon outpaced her teammates, and she was impressing local and visiting coaches.
Life-changing diagnosis
Gamble’s life changed when she was eight years old and diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes. The diagnosis didn’t come as a surprise to her parents, as several family members live with the chronic disease.
“Diabetes has shaped who I am and what I am doing,” she said. “It’s a challenging disorder that I need to manage 24/7 and affects my physical and mental health. At the same time, it makes me exercise gratitude and patience. I’m thankful to be alive, and I wouldn’t be the person that I am without it.”
The diagnosis didn’t slow Gamble’s hockey career. In fact, her passion for the sport grew, as did her skills. She was recruited by Robert Morris University and played collegiate hockey. Meanwhile, she was also studying pre-med.
Following this, she pursued a Master’s degree at the University of Alberta with a focus on diabetes research and was drafted by the Calgary Inferno of the Canadian Women’s Hockey League. She then went on to play for the Toronto Furies, as well as with the Professional Women’s Hockey Players Association.
“To my knowledge, I am the first female who lives with Type 1 diabetes to play professional hockey in Canada. I want to showcase that you can be both a respected professional in your dedicated field while being an advocate for areas that you’re passionate about.”
— Anissa Gamble
A strong voice
As a woman playing professional hockey, Gamble says she has developed a strong voice to advocate for the sport and for women playing the sport.
“There is a huge gap in the professional teams and everyday careers between men and women,” she said. “It can be frustrating to put in the work, time and commitment, but that often doesn’t lead to the same opportunities. There’s a lot of work to do in all realms of our society.”
Gamble is up to the challenge, however. While she is lending her voice for greater equity in professional sports, she also stands as an important role model and advocate for those living with diabetes.
“Growing up, I didn’t see anyone like me,” she said. “To my knowledge, I am the first female who lives with Type 1 diabetes to play professional hockey in Canada. I want to showcase that you can be both a respected professional in your dedicated field while being an advocate for areas that you’re passionate about.”
Behind the scenes, Gamble has been actively contributing to the advancement of diabetes research. During her graduate training, she focused on the evaluation of islet cell transplantation, an experimental treatment for Type 1 diabetes. She also worked for the University Health Network’s eHealth Innovation, researching diabetes digital therapeutics.
Bringing it all together
Now as a dental student, she is exploring the links between diabetes and oral health care and the barriers to accessing and providing care. Her future goal is to revamp diabetes oral health guidelines and work with public health and dental organizations to implement the guidelines.
Two years into the program and Gamble is feeling proud and enjoying the challenge that dentistry presents. “I love the interdisciplinary collaboration, working with classmates and professors, and how each case humbles you as you seek solutions for your patients.”
While her professional hockey days are behind her, Gamble is still involved with the sport. She has been serving as a volunteer assistant coach for Western’s varsity team and helps with skill development for the London Devilettes Girls Hockey Association.
The School’s Mighty Dents hockey team also benefits from her expertise, as she serves as an assistant captain and, of course, plays for the team.
