Dr. June LaValleur: How a 40-Year-Old Mom Defied the Odds to Become a Pioneer in Women’s Health

ASHBY, MINN. – At 83, Dr. June LaValleur reflects on a remarkable journey that began over four decades ago when she decided to pursue her dream of becoming a doctor—an aspiration that many would believe impractical for a woman in her 40s.

In the early 1980s, while balancing family life as a mother of three teenage boys in Osakis, Minnesota, LaValleur faced significant hurdles. Getting accepted to the University of Minnesota Medical School was just the beginning. At age 41, she took her first steps toward a new life, armed with determination but lacking the financial backing that many young students take for granted.

Undeterred, LaValleur recalled her childhood when girls were rarely encouraged to pursue careers in medicine. She accessed her inner resilience and began her medical education amidst challenges that many would find daunting. While there were obstacles in securing loans to fund her education, kindness from Alexandria-area radiologists provided her with the support she needed. Eileen Eiser, the wife of one of the benefactors, emphasized the generosity was more about altruism than bureaucracy—they simply wanted to help someone achieve their dreams.

While juggling the rigors of medical school and a residency, LaValleur felt the weight of being away from her family. She made a tremendous effort to be present for her children, balancing her desire to be a dedicated mom and a committed medical student. She made weekly drives back home, ensuring her sons always had someone waiting for them after school.

Her commitment to women's health truly shone during her residency when she had a candid discussion with the head of OB/GYN about education surrounding menopause. Frustrated with the lack of knowledge imparted to students, she voiced her concerns—an act that would pave the way for more comprehensive education for future medical professionals.

“In my last year of residency, I decided I could impact more lives by teaching students rather than just seeing one patient at a time,” LaValleur stated. She believed women's experiences of menopause vary significantly and stressed the importance of listening to patients' individual symptoms—insights that have undoubtedly reshaped training in OB/GYN departments across the region.

Her journey, however, did not stop there. Once established in her career, LaValleur began repaying the financial support she had received over the course of ten years. Each December, as a heartfelt homage, she bakes holiday Danish pastries for her benefactors—an act that symbolizes gratitude for the life-changing opportunity provided to her.

Now retired, Dr. LaValleur divides her time between Ashby and a small town near the Iowa border. She remains deeply concerned about healthcare in rural America, where access to vital services, especially labor and delivery, is often painfully inadequate. Her vision for the future includes advocating for family physicians to be trained in performing C-sections before they practice in rural areas, which could make a pivotal difference for many families.

Dr. LaValleur's dedication to her field has not gone unnoticed. She has received numerous accolades throughout her career and has contributed to several medical boards and committees, leaving an indelible mark on women's health. Her legacy is palpable whenever a woman finds a caring physician who listens closely to her symptoms of menopause—a testament to the influence and efforts of a woman who dared to chase her dreams later in life, inspired by the compassion of a few more than three decades ago.

Reflecting on her life's journey, LaValleur states, “They need to know how important what they did for me was. I held them in high esteem.” Her story is not just an inspiration but a reminder that it's never too late to follow one's passion and make a lasting impact on the world.