Shortt went on to complete her studies at a newly established women's college and practised medicine in Hamilton, Ontario.

[4][5] Shortt received her education from a governess as well as attending Winona School and Hamilton Collegiate Institute.

[6] In February 1880 Shortt read in the newspaper about prospective separate classes for women in medicine; in April of the same year, she started her training at Queen's University in Kingston, Ontario.

She was one of the first three women to attend Queen's, accompanied by who she refers to in her personal writings as Mrs. Mae and Miss Betty.

[12]: 156  In order to protect her reputation as a woman practising medicine, Shortt refused to treat male patients.

[1] In 1908 she moved to Ottawa and worked in a voluntary capacity for women's and mother's organisations, as well as campaigning on public health matters.

Throughout her time of being a member of these councils she worked, wrote and spoke about issues dealing with housing, inspection of markets, fly control, PXS pasteurization of milk, care of mentally deficient, child welfare, and mother's pension.

In 1913, after a year's study, Shortt wrote a report on behalf of the National Council of Women about the necessity of establishing mothers' allowances.

Shortt suggested that movements needed to be made in these areas in order to prevent the spread of tuberculosis and help those who already had it, rather than stigmatizing the disease.

[17] Shortt wrote a memorandum outlining the outbreaks of milk borne typhoid and the regulations that were put in place, in Ottawa and elsewhere, as a result.

[19] In her position with the Alumnae Association, she organised a fundraising campaign for a residential hall for women to be opened on the Queen's campus.