McGill University Health Centre 1001 Decarie Boulevard
Mail Drop Number: D05-2214
Suite D05-2212
Montreal (Quebec) H4A 3J1
Tel: 514-843-1578
Fax: 514-843-8182
Chair, Associate Chairs and Director Messages
MESSAGE FROM THE
CHAIR OF MEDICINE
Dr. Marc Rodger
When you begin your second five-year term as Chair of McGill’s Department of Medicine, you’d think things might feel familiar. But truth be told, it still feels like walking into the reading room of history- stumbling onto remarkable historical achievements, working with colleagues who are making history and working together to create the environment to ensure we continue to make history.
In 2024, we celebrated and raised a glass (or two) to our 100th Anniversary as a Department. Our roots trace back to 1924 when Dr. Jonathan C. Meakins became our first full time Professor and Chair. Armed with a Rockefeller grant and a fierce belief that research and clinical care should walk hand-in-hand, Meakins set out to build something bold — and he did. Meakins built a research powerhouse at the Royal Victoria Hospital, christened one of the earliest textbooks in pulmonary medicine, and kick started the golden age of clinical research integration. We continue this tradition with our priority to grow/recruit/retain clinician-scientists.
A little over a decade later, Dr. Maude Abbott, a pathologist, historian, and genuine force of nature, released her Atlas of Congenital Heart Disease in 1936. It was a blueprint for compassion-driven, evidence-based care, and it made waves well beyond Montreal. We continue to make cardiovascular research history with world leaders in hypertension, interventional cardiology and electrophysiology.
McGill DOM is the home of many firsts and breakthroughs. In the cold February of 1948, Dr. John MacLean performed Quebec’s first hemodialysis at the RVH, ushering in a new era for nephrology here at McGill. Soon after, in 1956, Ronald Christie came home to chair the department and co found the Meakins Christie Laboratories, a place still synonymous with respiratory research excellence worldwide. We continue in this tradition with our world class teams in respiratory medicine (TB and ILD).
The sixties weren’t just about rock n roll. In 1965, our own rock star, Dr. Phil Gold, alongside Dr. Samuel Freedman, discovered carcinoembryonic antigen — or CEA — a biomarker that changed cancer diagnostics forever.
Dr. John Beck, who took the DOM reins in 1964, turbo charged clinical and endocrine research, but his true genius was investing in education: he built out undergraduate courses, residency and fellowship training — making sure that every McGill doc-in-training was set up to lead. We continue these traditions of innovation and excellence in teaching with a rejuvenated CORE IM program, our dual path program (residency plus formal research training) and a plan to grow our Fellowship offerings.
Closer to our own time, Dr. Mark Wainberg led the discovery of lamivudine (3TC) and revolutionized HIV/AIDS treatment and saved millions — while showing the world how research at McGill could change global health. We continue to grow our clinical trials infrastructure to support practice changing research.
So yes, we’ve got a bit of a thing for firsts. From landmark treatments in HIV/AIDS, to launching pioneering clinics/ services, to building one of Canada’s strongest clinicianscientist pipelines — we’ve always believed in doing the next bold thing.
In 2024, we didn’t just slap on a vintage filter; we invited history back in as a mentor. But the real story this year? It’s not about looking back. It’s about what we’re building now. You’ll read in this report about our advances in regenerative medicine, our push to embed equity in our DNA, our support for wellness and mentorship, and our commitment to scientific discovery that serves both patients and policy. In the coming pages you’ll meet researchers, clinicians, educators - and yes, a few rebels — whose work is already weaving into the narrative of tomorrow. We stand on the shoulders of legends like Meakins, Abbott, MacLean, Christie, Gold - and so many others — but while we’re proud of our past, we’re also making history today, and plotting new chapters for tomorrow.
As I begin my second term, I do so with enormous gratitude — for the giants who came before us, and the colleagues who inspire me daily.
Let’s keep making history.
Did you know?
SIR WILLIAM OSLER, REGIUS PROFESSOR OF MEDICINE AT OXFORD UNIVERSITY, MCGILL UNIVERSITY’S MOST DISTINGUISHED MEDICAL GRADUATE, AND THE WORLD’S MOST RENOWNED PHYSICIAN, SHORTLY BEFORE HIS DEATH IN 1919, RECOMMENDED THAT MCGILL APPOINT A FULL-TIME CHAIR OF THE DEPARTMENT OF MEDICINE WHO WOULD ESTABLISH RESEARCH IN THE HOSPITAL AS AN ESSENTIAL PART OF ACADEMIC MEDICAL ACTIVITIES UNTIL THEN, TEACHERS AT MCGILL’S MEDICAL SCHOOL WERE PART-TIME PHYSICIANS WITH PRIVATE PRACTICES OUTSIDE THE TEACHING HOSPITALS .
Photo: Sir William Osler
MESSAGE
FROM THE ASSOCIATE CHAIR OF MEDICINE
Dr. Vicky Tagalakis
As you read through the 2024 report, I believe you will be struck, as I was, by the remarkable accomplishments of our Department. These achievements are a true credit to our 16 divisions and their dedicated members across all sites and affiliated research institutes. Each division plays a vital role — providing exceptional patient care, advancing research, training future physicians, and driving innovation. Together, they are generating practical solutions that address today’s complex healthcare challenges.
These accomplishments reflect both the shared values that unite us and the unique contributions that each of our major sites brings. Every site has its own legacy and strengths, and together they enrich the fabric of our Department. While each setting is distinct, it is our collaboration across sites that makes us stronger and enables our greatest successes.
This spirit of collaboration is especially evident in our residency training programs. Our core Internal Medicine program, along with our specialty and fellowship programs, is supported by multisite program training committees that bring together clinician teachers from across the department. This approach gives trainees access to diverse learning environments and perspectives, better preparing them to meet the demands of an evolving healthcare landscape.
In 2024, we built on this foundation by identifying six World-Class research teams, each drawing on the strengths of researchers from all sites and affiliated institutes. These teams bring together experts across specialties and disciplines, fostering interdisciplinary collaboration that drives scientific discovery and strengthens our overall research mission. Although newly formed, we are confident they will play an important role in advancing knowledge and care for years to come.
Innovation in clinical care also continues to be a defining strength of our Department. In an environment of fiscal constraint and rising demand, our teams are working creatively to improve how care is delivered. At the JGH, for example, we are piloting an AI scribe to reduce administrative burden and streamline physician documentation. Tools like MD Clone — used at both the JGH and the MUHC — allow us to simulate and refine clinical approaches; I have used it myself to assess time to treatment for pulmonary embolism in the emergency department. At the same time, programs like virtual care and hospital-at-home are expanding our ability to deliver patient-centered care beyond the hospital walls. These efforts reflect our ongoing commitment to adapting and innovating — even under pressure — to better serve our patients.
As we reflect on the year behind us, it’s clear that the Department continues to move forward with strength and purpose. We are united by a shared mission and energized by the collaboration and dedication of our members. Just as important are the distinct strengths and cultures of each of our major sites, which enrich our work and give depth to everything we do. The work we are doing — across sites and specialties — is not only shaping the future of care, but also inspiring the next generation of physicians, scientists, and healthcare leaders.
MESSAGE FROM THE
DIRECTOR OF SPECIALIZED MEDICINE ST. MARY’S HOSPITAL CENTER
Dr. Bruce Campbell
This year marks the 100th anniversary of St. Mary’s Hospital. From our origins in the Victorian-era Shawnessy House in 1924 — our first hospital site — to the current art deco landmark that houses our operations today, we continue to thrive in our mission of delivering high-quality clinical teaching on a community-centred scale.
To celebrate this historic milestone, the hospital hosted a series of extended centennial activities. It was also a record-breaking year for the St. Mary’s Foundation, which achieved its highest fundraising total to date. Major donor interest surged, and our flagship event, the St. Mary’s Ball, reached peak attendance and engagement. The Foundation, led by Ms. Cynda Heward, has been a steadfast supporter of departmental initiatives and will remain a crucial partner as health care institutions across the province prepare for further system-wide reforms.
While we honour our rich history and legacy, we are also looking ahead to our next century of innovation and care. New challenges are emerging, including the province-wide rollout of Santé Québec, which has introduced uncertainties to our urgently needed infrastructure development. The new Internal Medicine Pavilion has completed its planning phase but now faces budgetary constraints impacting capital projects across Quebec.
In the face of these pressures, the Department has used this centennial year as an opportunity for reflection and forward planning. As pandemic-related challenges and staffing pressures have eased, we have refocused our efforts on improving patient flow and reducing length of stay. Notably, the introduction of a Command and Coordination Centre (C3) and the reorganization of our bed management strategy are already yielding promising results. The combined efforts of the team have been recognized as a model to follow at the provincial level. Department members now have better real time data to guide their choices on the wards and on consultation services.
One of our most impactful innovations has been the launch of a new Emergency Department–based multidisciplinary geriatrics team. Led by Dr. Julia Chabot, the team provides immediate access to occupational therapy, physiotherapy, social work, geriatricians and community liaison services for frail elderly patients at risk of extended hospitalizations. This initiative has received high praise from both patients and emergency department staff and has already contributed to measurable improvements in reduced admissions and shorter hospital stays. As we evaluate the program’s potential scalability, expect to hear more about this highly valued intervention.
In other developments for 2024 Dr. Marc Baltzan, pulmonology, led the creation of St. Mary’s first sleep apnea clinic and home testing service, addressing a huge service gap. He also collaborated with his oncologist colleagues in the new pulmonary nodule referral clinic. Dr. Khashayar Esfahani, oncology, received the inaugural St. Mary’s foundation Oncology Career Development Award. On the education side Dr. Mathieu Walker, cardiology, is the new CIUSSS educational lead for St. Mary’s. He will be advising the executive on clinical teaching, accreditation and strengthening ties with McGill. Dr. Gail Goldman, internal medicine, was the CIUSSS education awardee this year. Dr. Gaetano Morelli received the Richard V. Moralejo Award in recognition of outstanding contribution to hospital life. Dr. Nathalie Ng Cheong, nephrologist and associate chief of the department, was awarded the Hingston bursary for medical leadership development. Congratulations to them all.
We were also able to celebrate retiring members. This year the Dylewski brothers, Joe, Infectious Diseases, and Irving, Internal Medicine, were appreciated at our departmental dinner in October. In 2024, the Department welcomed new faculty members in internal medicine, gastroenterology, and geriatrics, with additional recruitment in Dermatology, Gastroenterology and Internal Medicine and anticipated in 2025.
A final highlight includes the nomination of Dr. Michael Bonnycastle to McGill Academy of Exemplary Physicians, he remains a leader and mentor after years of service in geriatrics and internal medicine, and as Physician-in-Chief. Ask him about his flying saucer/burning building analogy.
As we embark on our second century, we look forward to continued success in caring for the elderly, improving hospital fluidity, and advancing initiatives in digital health, simulation-based education, and quality improvement scholarship. Stay with us as the Next Century of Care is just beginning.
MESSAGE
FROM THE
ASSOCIATE CHAIR ADVANCEMENT
Dr. Alain Bitton
The Department of Medicine (DOM) Sam and Sadie Roth Family Visiting Professorship competition once again was a success and awarded to a top applicant. There were many exceptional candidates of high caliber who applied to visit our department and share their expertise.
McGill’s annual day of giving (McGill24) was held in the spring 2024 and raised funds for the McGill Department of Medicine Grants for Scholarship in Medical Education . The McGill DOM “Rising Star” program continued in 2024 with support of the MUHC foundation. The aim of this program is to cultivate the success and productivity of our clinician-scientists or medical educators by providing salary and operational funding. Supporting our next generation of scientists and academic leaders early in their careers will pave the way for a strong foundation for our Department, our McGill hospitals and University. Our goal remains to initiate additional “Rising Star” awards across the McGill-wide network.
Our objective is to operationalize the goals and priorities outlined in the DOM strategic plan. These aspirations include the creation and consolidation of innovative clinical programs, research activities and educational initiatives. The challenge will be achieving and implementing these in a timely fashion. In the next year we will be working with the hospital foundations to obtain funding for our Department’s emerging and established World Class Teams to realize their innovative and impactful projects. Collaboration and philanthropic support from the foundations across all the McGillaffiliated hospitals and the University will help us achieve our strategic plan.
MESSAGE
FROM THE ASSOCIATE CHAIR EDUCATION
Dr. Annabel Angela Chen-Tournoux
Preparing for accreditation marks a pivotal point in an institution’s timeline. It is a moment where we pause to evaluate the structures, processes, and effectiveness of our educational programs compared to established standards. Accreditation allows us to take stock of all of the work that has been done to advance our programs and to reflect on areas for improvement. 2024 was marked by an external accreditation review of the McGill School of Medicine undergraduate medical program as well as preparation among the postgraduate training programs for their internal accreditation reviews occurring in the first half of 2025. We recognize the tremendous efforts that our education leaders, teachers, and administrators have undertaken, in the face of significant challenges, to provide the best possible experience for our learners. We are sincerely grateful for their efforts.
To advance the goals in our departmental strategic plan, a number of initiatives were implemented in the core internal Medicine Training program. For example, the Integrated Research Track was introduced, which enables residents to have 3 months of dedicated time for courses (C-pathway), which can be applied toward a graduate degree in the future, or for supervised research (R-pathway) if they already have a graduate degree. A POCUS curriculum director position was created to bolster the development of this important skill among our trainees.
An annual anonymous survey on the learning environment was launched for all residents and fellows training in the Department. The survey results confirm that our trainees experience a high level of collegiality and support, while also yielding insights into aspects where we can do better. As well, an annual anonymous survey for Clinician-Teachers has underscored the importance of recognizing these faculty members for their contributions to our Department. Balancing the demands of patient care with the responsibilities of trainee supervision and teaching, clinician-teachers have tremendous impact on patients and future physicians. Examples of how we will work to recognize Clinician-Teachers include a greater representation of this profile among members of the Departmental Promotions Committee, and a new series embedded in Medical Grand Rounds at all 3 hospital sites focused on clinician-teachers, to begin in 2025-2026.
Special honours in the past year include the nomination of Dr. David Langleben to the McGill FMHS Academy of Exemplary Physicians, Dr. Maral Koolian to the McGill Faculty Honour List for Education Excellence, and Dr. Isabella Albanese’s DOM Education Scholarship Grant to support her project entitled “ Faculty and Resident Perspectives on Resident Supervision in the Longitudinal Clinic Setting.”
Cognizant of the evolving landscape at McGill and in the Quebec healthcare system, we reaffirm our commitment to our learners and our core mission of academic excellence, and will work to ensure that our educational programs remain effective, innovative, and sustainable.
MESSAGE FROM THE
ASSOCIATE CHAIR RESEARCH
Dr. Kevin Schwartzman
2024 marked another banner year for research in the Department of Medicine, as we moved forward with our strategic plan. We continue to benefit from strong support from our Research Advisory Committee and our departmental administrative team, notably Alexandra Hauck, Ada Prunescu, and Caroline Alcaraz.
A highlight of 2024 was the open competition culminating in the selection of our six World Class Teams, in areas as diverse as the membership of our Department. Three teams were identified as established world leaders: Precision Hypertension, Tuberculosis, and Venous Thromboembolism. Three others were selected as poised to grow to global-level leadership: DECIDE-CV (Cardio-Kidney-Diabetes Medicine), Lethal Infections, and Pulmonary Fibrosis. Congratulations to these teams and to all who applied, emphasizing yet again the very high caliber of our clinician and PhD scientists. Special thanks go to Dr. David Eidelman, who ably chaired the team presentations and reviews, and to our invited panelists. These teams will be the focus of continued growth and support within our Department in the coming years.
We also welcomed our first core internal medicine trainees to our integrated research training pathway, with strong support from our core internal medicine training program. We continue to benefit from and synergize with the committed educational leadership in our residency programs, McGill’s Clinician-Investigator Program, and excellent graduate degree programs both within and outside our Department. As of the winter semester 2024, we had 347 students registered in our Department’s graduate programs.
In the spring 2024 CIHR Project Grant competition, the Department of Medicine again accounted for the largest number of applications submitted (26% of all applications from the McGill Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences). We had the second highest success rate (20%) among the major clinical departments, again exceeding the national average. In the fall 2024 Project Grant competition, our success rate was even higher, at 25%. In that competition, we accounted for 30% of all CIHR funding to McGill and its affiliated institutions — and for 70% of CIHR funding to the RI-MUHC, and 43% of CIHR funding to the Lady Davis Institute.
The Department of Medicine also performed well in the FRQ-S salary award competition, with 13 applications funded in spring 2024, out of the 22 submitted (59%). A highlight was our 50% success rate in the highly selective Chercheur(e) de Mérite competition. Three of our six applications to this competition were successful — all clinician-scientists from the Division of Cardiology — and they accounted for half the funded applicants from across the province. Four of six Junior 1 Chercheur-Boursier Clinicien applications were also successful, as we continue to renew our outstanding corps of clinician and PhD scientists. In this regard, our applicants’ support from their Divisions and our practice plans is particularly important, and signals our commitment to their success. This investment pays off as our junior clinician-scientist colleagues then obtain Rémunération Recherche and move off PEM, allowing further recruitment.
Indeed, in 2024 our clinician-scientists increased in number from 89 to 94, while our PhD scientist numbers were unchanged at 66.
Along similar lines, the Department held another successful internal funding competition in spring 2024. We received 4 applications from new CAS MD scientists, all of which were funded. I am once again grateful for the hard work and insightful feedback of our Research Review Committee, and for the continued backing by our MUHC and JGH practice plans and our hospital Foundations.
In 2024, Department of Medicine faculty published a total of 1410 journal articles. 54 featured our faculty members as first or last authors in those journals identified as the top 60 in general medicine/life sciences or related specialty fields.
Finally, the Department of Medicine held another successful Annual Research Symposium in December 2024. Over 110 attendees (hybrid format) learned from a diverse panel of established and emerging researchers, spanning methodologies and substantive areas ranging from predictive biomarkers for lymphoma outcomes to interventional colonoscopy. Over 30 trainees presented their research in poster format, with four selected for oral “abstract slam” presentations. Our keynote speakers were 1) Dr. Janet Rich-Edwards, Harvard University, who spoke about The Stress Test of Pregnancy: Can we Predict and Prevent Cardiometabolic Disease in Women with a History of Pregnancy Complications? ; and 2) Dr. Marc Carrier, University of Ottawa, who spoke about The Foundation of a Career in Cancer-Associated Thrombosis Clinical Research . We are most grateful to all our speakers and abstract presenters, and to our DOM administrative team for countless hours of organizational work.
Our annual High Value Healthcare Symposium was held on June 18th, 2024. This flagship symposium of the DOM continues to attract talented international speakers, and is highly attended by clinicians, educators, researchers, and trainees. As a reminder, high value care is typically defined as care that maximizes patient health outcomes by aiming to achieve the best possible results for patients at the lowest necessary expense. It emphasizes both clinical effectiveness and efficient use of resources, while also ensuring care is patient-centered and equitable! This is perfectly aligned with a key theme of our DOM strategic plan to be effective advocates for the best patient care in resource constrained environments . Each year at the symposium we feature trainee led clinical QI research projects in a fun and competitive abstract slam. At the 2024
Symposium, the winner was Jillian Kiffel, from the Division of Experimental Medicine, for her presentation on Measuring Family Engagement in the ICU: Validation of the FAME tool. This year we gave out the inaugural award for a visiting lecturer to honour Dr. Sharon Wood-Dauphinee. The first recipient of the award was Dr. Ronen Loebstein, internal medicine specialist at the Sackler Faculty of Medicine in Tel Aviv, for his work on database evaluation of drug safety and efficacy, and for setting up the ADAMS data center. Dr. Wood-Dauphinee, professor emeritus, School of Physical and Occupational Health, was a leader and researcher who established new standards in healthcare excellence by championing quality, collaborative, and interdisciplinary care. Dr. Wood-Dauphinee spent several decades as one of the most productive interdisciplinary clinical researchers of her generation in North America: 136 peer reviewed empirical publications and over 240 articles, technical reports and scientific presentations. Sadly, she passed away this year on March 31st, 2025, with the love of her life, Dale Dauphinee (McGill Department Chair 1990 to 1993) by her side. We look forward to announcing the 2025 recipient of the Dauphinee lectureship award at this year’s symposium in celebration of Sharon’s lifetime of research at McGill.
In 2024, I’m most excited that we set up and held our first meeting of the DOM Community of Quality Improvers. In setting up the community we have generated a surge of interest in QI among staff and trainees. By meeting regularly, we can exchange ideas, and bolster enthusiasm for QI through information sharing, networking, and collaboration. A major goal of the Community is to connect quality improvers, share intellectual capital, share tools to take QI initiatives further, and strengthen our collective impact. If you or a colleague are interested in joining the DOM Community of Quality Improvers, please reach out! No formal training required, only a passion for QI. We are amid setting up our website to feature scholarly QI work and hope to feature your work in 2025.
Until next year!
MESSAGE
FROM THE ASSOCIATE CHAIR WELLNESS
Dr. Natalie Dayan
Reflecting on the past four years in this role, I am grateful to Dr. Rodger for his commitment to wellness of the DOM faculty at large, and for the creative license afforded to me to execute on this commitment. In addition, I am thankful to a wonderful team of colleagues and administrative support staff — particularly the wellness coordinator Dana Ajjaoui, all of whom contributed to the successful launching and continuation of several wellness initiatives.
The wellness programs were designed and adapted with the DOM strategic goals in mind — to support personal and professional growth and show our appreciation for each member’s unique contributions and perspectives. The mentorship program is focused on facilitating the transition for junior faculty so that they may develop their skills in a supportive environment. Mentors and mentees have built lasting meaningful connections through this program and have honoured their mentors through the annual DOM Mentor-of-the-year award (past recipients Drs. Vicky Tagalakis, Suzanne Morin and Kevin Schwartzmann). Schwartz rounds is intended to allow members from all sites to gather periodically to share our stories and views in a safe and respectful environment, without the need to “fix” anything. WeLounge events provide an opportunity to unwind, share a cup of coffee or an amazing sweat without an agenda. Finally, the Wellness Task Force helped to re-shape the annual performance review to focus more on two-way developmental conversations and less on “counting” our service weeks and achievements.
Our efforts are loosely tracked through annual surveys collecting data on burnout, professional fulfilment, our experience working in the DOM, and feedback on individual programs. While these surveys help “take the pulse” of our DOM at different points in time, success of our programs more broadly are reflected in a strengthened sense of community and the many outstanding achievements and performance in teaching, research and clinical care.
A vision for the future is to support CAS faculty sabbaticals as an opportunity to pause from the daily grind and allow for more in-depth professional growth, as well as initiatives such as a DOM Well Office to support colleagues in crisis. I look forward to passing the baton to the next associate Chair to execute on his/her vision to improve wellness gaps in the DOM, and to continuing to build our community together.
IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Dr. Elizabeth Hazel
From the Olympic pool to the halls of academia
By Timothy Gouldson
I THINK A LOT OF PEOPLE WILL TELL YOU THE MOST INFLUENTIAL PEOPLE IN YOUR LIFE ARE TEACHERS AND COACHES . ” “
At the Barcelona Olympics in 1992, the year of the basketball Dream Team, with Nelson Mandela in the stands, 18-year-old Canadian Elizabeth Hazel clocked a time of 2:17.70 in the women’s 200-metre backstroke event, finishing 25th overall among 43 competitors.
Prior to the Olympics competition, she had made her international debut at the 1991 Pan American Games in Havana, winning a bronze medal in the women’s 200-metre butterfly.
Today, as a rheumatologist at the Montreal General Hospital and division director for Rheumatology at the McGill University Health Centre, and in the wake of the Paris Olympics in which Summer McIntosh collected four medals (three gold and a silver), she reflects on her own Olympic experience.
“I remember the opening ceremonies. We, the Canadian Team, were in a tunnel leading to the stadium. I recall that feeling of electricity and joy and anticipation, and we could see the Dream Team from where we were,” says Dr. Hazel. “The time was really quite incredible. The city treated us like royalty, which for an 18-year-old amateur athlete was great.”
Dr. Hazel notes such conveniences as vending machines dispensing free drinks and ice cream, free public transit, and complimentary admission to the city’s museums.
“I recall being surrounded by athletes at the peak of their athletic health and existence. Such a unique experience.”
Competitive swimming is a close-knit community where athletes and their families often cross paths. “I swam with Jill McIntosh, Summer’s mom, at the University of Florida. So, I’ve been following Summer from when she was 12 years old just because I knew that she was Jill’s daughter. I am so impressed with her at just 17 years old,” Dr. Hazel said. “I think things can only get more impressive for her. Seventeen is definitely not the peak of a swimmer’s career.”
Dr. Hazel attributes some of her academic success to the habits she acquired from competitive swimming. “The life of a swimmer is wake up at 5:00 in the morning, swim for two hours, go to school, swim for another two hours, do weights, do your homework, go to bed. I started swimming when I was six or seven. And I did that all the way through my undergrad. So, I think that sets you up for success in life.”
Another contributing factor to her success, says Dr. Hazel, was her mother’s example. “My mom was a teacher, so I always liked and appreciated how important teachers were in my life. I think a lot of people will tell you the most influential people in your life are teachers and coaches. And if you see the value in those relationships, then you want to be like that person.”
Inevitably, teaching would become Dr. Hazel’s primary interest and forte. As a clinical-teacher, Prof. Hazel supervises students and residents of all levels in outpatient clinics and residents in a multi-site rheumatology consult service. She was named to McGill’s Faculty Honour List in 2022, and was recognized with a McGill Faculty Award for Teaching Innovation. She received a Clinical Innovation Award in Internal Medicine in 2018.
Having completed a fellowship in pediatric rheumatology, her sub-specialty is juvenile arthritis. “I take over the care of young adults at the most important time in their lives where they’re starting to know who they are and what they want to be as an adult. And, I just have so much fun caring for these young adults, who are such heroes in dealing with all of the issues of adolescence, and at the same time also have a chronic illness to cope with. I have the opportunity to help shepherd them through those tough times.”
In March 2023, Dr. Hazel was appointed Assistant Dean, Competency-Based Medical Education (CBME) Postgraduate Medical Education (PGME), at McGill University’s Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences. Dr. Hazel oversees both programs within the College of Family Physicians of Canada and Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada frameworks.
“The teaching profile comes in there as well. I started out pretty early on in my medical career being program director for rheumatology and I really enjoyed that mentorship kind of role. I made improvements in the assessment methodology that had been there previously. So, when the opportunity came to fulfill that role at McGill, it made a lot of sense and I like to think I’m a good fit in that position,” Dr. Hazel said.
“I have a great group of rheumatologists that I work with who each have their own specialty interests. So, we’re able to provide really top-notch care to people with different forms of rheumatic disease. We also are really lucky to have administrative support that I think is second to none.”
A dream team, no less.
Governence, Council and Executive
DOM COUNCIL
DOM Council acts as the Board of Governors or Parliament of DOM approving major policies and broad strategic directions. DOM Council meets every 2 months.
DIVISION DIRECTORS
Dr. Christos Tsoukas McGill / MUHC Clinical Allergy and Immunology
Dr. Atul Verma McGill / MUHC Cardiology
Dr. Jesse Schwartz JGH Clinical Allergy and Immunology
Dr. Lawrence Rudski JGH Cardiology
Dr. Jan Schulz SMH Clinical Allergy and Immunology
Dr. Mathieu Walker SMH Cardiology
Dr. Robyn Tamblyn MUHC Clinical Epidemiology
Dr. Khue Huu Nguyen McGill/MUHC Dermatology
Dr. Robin Billick JGH Dermatology
Dr. Samy Suissa JGH Clinical Epidemiology
Dr. Kaberi Dasgupta McGill General Internal Medicine
Dr. José Morais McGill/MUHC Geriatric Medicine
DOM COUNCIL
DIVISION DIRECTORS
Dr. George Fantus McGill/MUHC Endocrinology and Metabolism
Dr. Alain Bitton McGill/MUHC Gastroenterology and Hepatology
Dr. Suzanne Morin MUHC General Internal Medicine
Dr. Ruby Friedman JGH Geriatric Medicine
Dr. Mark Trifiro JGH
Endocrinology and Metabolism
Dr. Albert Cohen JGH Gastroenterology and Hepatology
Dr. Michelle Elizov JGH General Internal Medicine
Dr. Julia Chabot SMH Geriatric Medicine
Dr. Les Meissner SMH Endocrinology and Metabolism
Dr. Karen Matouk SMH Gastroenterology and Hepatology
Dr. Gail Goldman SMH General Internal Medicine
Dr. Nathalie Johnson McGill Hematology
Dr. Marcel Behr McGill/MUHC Infectious Diseases
DOM COUNCIL
DIVISION DIRECTORS
Dr. Chantal Séguin MUHC Hematology
Dr. Karl Weiss JGH Infectious Diseases
Dr. David Blank MUHC Medical Biochemistry
Dr. Nathaniel Bouganim MUHC Medical Oncology
Dr. Gerry Batist JGH Medical Oncology
Dr. Sarit Assouline JGH Hematology
Dr. Joe Dylewski SMH Infectious Diseases
Dr. Elizabeth MacNamara JGH Medical Biochemistry
Dr. Adrian Langleben SMH Medical Oncology
Dr. Adrian Langleben SMH Hematology
DOM COUNCIL
DIVISION DIRECTORS
Service
Dr. Mark Lipman JGH Nephrology
Dr. Johana Eid SMH Nephrology
Dr. Rita Suri McGill/MUHC Nephrology
Dr. Mohan Radhakrishna McGill/MUHC Physiatry/Rehab
Dr. Ronald Olivenstein MUHC Respiratory Medicine
Dr. Jason Agulnik JGH Respiratory Medicine
Dr. Basil Petrof McGill Respiratory Medicine
Dr. Harold Zackon SMH Respiratory Medicine
Dr. Elizabeth Hazel MUHC Rheumatology
Dr. Laeora Berkson JGH Rheumatology
Dr. Marie Hudson McGill Rheumatology
Dr. Jan Schulz SMH Rheumatology
CORE INTERNAL MEDICINE CHIEF RESIDENT REPRESENTATIVE
GRADUATE TRAINING PROGRAM IN CLINICAL AND TRANSLATIONAL RESEARCH DIRECTOR
Prof. Andrew Mouland Graduate Training Program in Clinical and Translational Research Director
DOM COUNCIL
ELECTED EARLY CAREER REPRESENTATIVE 1
Dr. Arielle Mendel Early Career Representative
CORE TRAINING PROGRAM DIRECTOR
Dr. Ning Zi Sun Core Training Program Director
TWO PHD REPRESENTATIVES
Dr. Nitika Pant Pai Dry Lab PhD Representative
Dr. Nathaniel Bouganim Division of Medical Oncology Observer
Dr. Momar Ndao Wet Lab PhD Representative
THREE OBSERVERS 2
Dr. William Foulkes Division of Medical Genetics Observer
Dr. Tarek Hijal, Observer Division of Radiation Oncology Observer
1 Q 2 yearly election held among DOM early career faculty (<4 years since initial University appointment)
2 Leaders of Hospital Divisions in Hospital DOMs whose primary affiliations are in other McGill Departments (e.g. Medical Oncology, Genetics, Radiation Oncology)
3 See next page
DOM EXECUTIVE
DOM Executive meets every 2-3 weeks and is responsible for delivering on the major strategic directions set by DOM Council.
ASSOCIATE CHAIR OF MEDICINE
Dr. Vicky Tagalakis
Associate Chair of Medicine
ASSOCIATE CHAIR OF QUALITY/PATIENT SAFETY
Dr. Emily McDonald Associate Chair of Quality and Safety
Dr. Marc Rodger McGill University Health Centre (MUHC) Physician-in-Chief
ASSOCIATE CHAIR OF RESEARCH
Dr. Kevin Schwartzman
Associate Chair of Research
ASSOCIATE CHAIR OF WELLNESS
Dr. Natalie Dayan Associate Chair of Wellness
PHYSICIANS-IN-CHIEF
Dr. Vicky Tagalakis Jewish General Hospital (JGH) Physician-in-Chief
SENIOR DOM STAFF
Maria-Isabel Ramirez Associate Director of Administration
ASSOCIATE CHAIR OF EDUCATION
Dr. Annabel Chen-Tournoux
Associate Chair of Education
ASSOCIATE CHAIR OF ADVANCEMENT
Dr. Alain Bitton
Associate Chair of Advancement
Dr. Bruce Campbell St. Mary’s Hospital (SMH) Physician-in-Chief
Did you know?
IN 1964, DR STEWART REID AND DR JOHN H BURGESS ESTABLISHED A ROVING CARDIAC ARREST TEAM AT THE MONTREAL GENERAL HOSPITAL (MGH) . THE FIRST “CODE 99” ATTEMPT FACED TECHNICAL DIFFICULTIES, BUT SUBSEQUENT EFFORTS IMPROVED, LEADING TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF CONTINUOUS MONITORING FOR HEART ATTACK PATIENTS AND THE CREATION OF THE CORONARY CARE UNIT THE FIRST SUCCESSFUL RESUSCITATION MADE HEADLINESIN THE MONTREAL GAZETTE .
June 10, 1964
Photo: Screenshot taken from The Montreal Gazette -
2025-2029 Strategic Plan
With the conclusion of Year 1 of the 2024–2029 Strategic Plan in January 2025, we are now able to reflect on the first year of implementation. This plan, launched in November 2023, started with a participatory community building exercise to:
1. Define our aspirations
2. Identify the tools and processes to reach them
3. Establish the metrics to define how far we have gotten to the destination
1 2 3
We held multiple town halls, conducted surveys and Delphi ranking exercises, and hosted three open DOM Council meetings to help lay out the strategic plan. Through this process, we whittled it down to four Key Aspirational Themes:
TRAINING CENTRE OF CHOICE
I LOVE WORKING HERE! MOST RESEARCH INTENSIVE DOM IN CANADA
EFFECTIVE ADVOCATES FOR PATIENT CARE IN A RESOURCE CONSTRAINED ENVIRONMENT
Each theme includes three specific aspirations. In 2024, we began implementing the plan and tracking our progress using the metrics established for each aspiration. On the following pages, each aspiration is accompanied by a Year 1 Progress Report, providing an overview of what has been achieved during the first year of implementation.
1.
Most Research-Intensive DOM in Canada
ASPIRATION
GROWING NUMBER OF CLINICIAN-SCIENTISTS
WHO PRODUCE THE MOST IMPACTFUL RESEARCH IN CANADA .
TOOLS & PROCESSES
• Dual Path (clinical and research training) Residency/Fellowship streams
• Revamp Ex Med Graduate Program to Graduate Program in Clinical and Translational Research
– Clinical- MSc/PhD Digital Innovation and MSc/PhD Clinical Research
• Continue Early career CAS and bolster Tenure for Clinician-Scientists
METRICS
• # of verified Clinician-Scientists
• # DOM wide publications in top 60 general medical/life sciences journals plus 2-3 sub-specialty
YEAR 1 REPORT
• First resident enrolled in Dual Path Residency Stream
• MSc in Digital Innovation program successfully launched; PhD programs in Digital Innovation and Clinical Research submitted for McGill approval
• Four new MD clinician-scientists received pre-FRQ-S funding; one received FRQ-S bridging support
• 59% success rate for DOM FRQ-S applications (13/22) over 2024-2025 period
• 94 verified clinician-scientists in 2024 (up from 89 in 2023)
• DOM-wide publications in top 60 journals: 54 in 2024 (compared to 68 in 2023)
2.
ASPIRATION
PHD SCIENTISTS AND CLINICIANS
CO-CREATING IN THE MOST TRANSLATIONAL DOM IN CANADA .
TOOLS & PROCESSES
• Bolster PhD recruitment through CAS research/ TT funding opportunities
• Align PhD Scientists with Clinical Divisions to maximize multidisciplinary collaboration
• “Translational grant” funding opportunity for new collabs between DOM PhD scientists & Clinician-Scientists/Investigators
• Divisional & MGR “Translational Rounds” with PhD/MD co-presenters
METRICS
• # of publications that combine first/senior DOM MD author with DOM PhD scientist (or vice versa)
YEAR 1 REPORT
• One PhD scientist awarded CAS research support; one tenure-track biostatistician (with trials expertise) hired in March 2025
• PhD scientists formally aligned with clinical divisions to promote collaboration
• Translational grants and rounds implemented in selected divisions
• 13 co-authored publications between DOM MD and PhD members in 2024 (down from 20 in 2023), indicating an area for focused improvement
ASPIRATION
MORE WORLD-CLASS RESEARCH TEAMS THAN ANY OTHER DOM IN CANADA (I .E . TEAMS OF MULTI-DISCIPLINARY SCIENTISTS WORKING IN A SPECIFIC AREA) .
TOOLS & PROCESSES
• Q4 yearly DOM process to identify:
– Top 3 established world class teams
– Top 3 emerging world class teams
• Open & transparent competition with written submissions & presentations by self-identified groups working in ‘area’ led by DOM members
• Priority to identified/emerging world-class teams in areas under DOM’s direct control & where advocacy is essential (e.g. RI & Foundations)
METRICS
• # of programs in DOM where 2+ DOM scientists are in top 100 of global reputation indices (Expertscape & Research com)
YEAR 1 REPORT
• First open competition held to identify world-class teams in winter 2024
• Three established world-class teams identified
– Precision Hypertension
– Tuberculosis
– Venous Thromboembolism
• Three emerging world-class teams identified
– Cardio-Kidney-Diabetes Medicine (DECIDE-CV)
– Lethal Infections
– Pulmonary Fibrosis Research Network
• 29 DOM faculty listed in Expertscape’s top 60 globally for their research areas
• Two DOM members listed among Canada’s top 100 researchers
– Dr. Ernesto Schiffrin
– Dr. Rhian Touyz
ASPIRATION
1.
Training Centre of Choice
OUR CORE IM PROGRAMS ATTRACT THE BEST CANDIDATES AND PROVIDE THE BEST CORE IM TRAINING IN THE COUNTRY .
TOOLS & PROCESSES
• Ensuring that curriculum is cutting edge and at the forefront of advancements, equipping our IM trainees to navigate expected developments in the practice of Internal Medicine
• Clinical Teaching Unit (CTU) patient loads adjusted to 18–22, in line with Royal College recommendations
• Learning environment workshops delivered via McGill FMHS “Our Words Matter” modules
– Microaggressions and the Learning Environment
– Giving Constructive Feedback
• Initiatives launched to sensitize faculty and trainees to the learning environment
• Trainee survey response rate improved to 52% (up from 16% in 2024)
• Mistreatment rates dropped:
– 45% reported no mistreatment (up from 23%)
ASPIRATION
OUR CLINICIAN-TEACHERS ARE VALUED, RESPECTED AND MASTER CLINICIAN-TEACHERS ARE CELEBRATED .
TOOLS & PROCESSES
• Track teaching contributions
• Increase teaching awards
• Increase DOM programming specifically for Clinician-Teachers
• Measure/report/feedback teaching excellence at the individual Faculty level, Division and DOM aggregate levels (e g DOM wide overall One45 rating)
– Measure/report and feedback EPA/CAF/ITER completion rates at individual Faculty level to ensure timely and complete trainee feedback
– Advocate for IT solutions to facilitate complete, accurate collection of this data
METRICS
• Annual survey of McGill DOM Clinician-Teachers
YEAR 1 REPORT
• Introduced PD top-up program to protect PD time for this vital role
• Improved tracking of teaching contributions within training programs/Divisions including EPA and ITER completion
• Increased participation of Clinician-Teachers and Clinician-Educators on Departmental Promotions Committee to encourage advancement of these profiles
• New initiatives in the works, including the planning of a “Spotlight on Clinical Teaching” series during Medical Grand Rounds
• Survey results indicate improved faculty perception of recognition:
– Fewer clinician-teachers disagreed that their contributions were valued by the DOM (down from 33% to 21%)
– Perceived recognition within divisions also improved, with disagreement rates dropping from 16% to 11%
1. Effective Advocates for Patient Care in a Resource Constrained Environment
ASPIRATION
DELIVERING/DEVELOPING DIGITAL INNOVATIONS THAT IMPROVE ACCESS TO QUALITY CARE (STATE OF THE ART EMRS, PATIENT-FACING APPS, VIRTUAL CARE) .
TOOLS & PROCESSES
• Get ready/optimize use Province-wide EPIC:
– Coordinated roll out
– Aim to be leaders/super users of EPIC or similar common health record solutions
– End-to-end testing/imaging management
– Patient safety alerts and decision support
– Harness rapid access to data & analytics
– Apply the infrastructure for pragmatic RCTs
• Develop a centralized repository of digital solutions and advocate these be patient-centric & decolonized
– Apps for scheduling & appointment
– Patient education
– E-Consultations & Telehealth
• Ensure existing and new solutions better meet the needs of our Indigenous populations
METRICS
• Digital solutions scorecard (3 questions)
YEAR 1 REPORT
• JGH Connected Health Record continues to evolve and grow with expected full implementation in the next year
• EPIC expected to come to the MUHC in 2026
• Several digital tools are already in place, with at least 14 submitted tools reported
– Web-based tool for deprescribing PIMs (rheumatology); EMR reporting of ADEs (Vanessa’s Law); automated stops for SGLTis to prevent euglycemic DKA; alerts for ANA ordering; automated dialysis checklists (and other dialysis EMR initiatives); pleural catheter order sets;
– Virtual care: JGH Hospital at home; TPN hospital at home; de-labelling penicillin allergy in the North;
– Patient facing apps: EczemaQ; MedSafer
– Adams Centre
• Digital Solutions Scorecard survey conducted across three sites to assess current tools and gaps
ASPIRATION
2.
CONTRIBUTING AND ADVOCATING FOR SOLVING THE CURRENT/COMING HUMAN RESOURCE CRISIS .
TOOLS & PROCESSES
• Advocacy training workshops for trainees & Faculty
• Bolster advocacy to accelerate training of health care professionals & extenders
• Physician Extender programs to mitigate effects of crisis on trainees/Faculty
METRICS
• # of DOM member led advocacy initiatives aimed at solving the consequences of health human resources crisis
YEAR 1 REPORT
• Piloting/developing advocacy training workshop
• Increasing number of nurse practitioners
• Advocating at the level of the ministry
• AI scribes being piloted
• JGH Hospital at home program
• MGH Day hospital
• SMH 360 geriatrics program in the ER
• 7 initiatives identified through the survey
3.
ASPIRATION
RENDERING STATE-OF-THE-ART DIAGNOSTICS AND THERAPEUTICS ACCESSIBLE TO ALL QUEBECERS .
TOOLS & PROCESSES
• Annual surveys of physicians to identify “therapeutic & diagnostic” access gaps
– Choose priority gaps
– Identify advocacy champion & support their campaigns
METRICS
• # of DOM member led advocacy initiatives per year focused on addressing gaps in access to therapeutics and diagnostics
YEAR 1 REPORT
• Areas of impact include:
– Reducing euglycemic DKA
– GI and rheum collect PROs
– Multiple medical obstetrics initiatives (including reproductive outcomes for SLE patients)
– Special clinics and/or services: bone health for transplant patients; incremental dialysis; anticoagulation stewardship
– James Bay disaster preparedness for Cree patients (dialysis/forest fires)
– High satisfaction (average presentation quality rating of 4.36/5)
• 3 WeLounge pop-up events
• Annual Wellness Survey Results:
– 43% response rate (204 full-time DOM members)
– Moderate levels of burnout (average score: 16.58) and moderate professional fulfillment (average PFI: 13.2)
ASPIRATION
PLACE WHERE DIGITAL AND OTHER INNOVATIONS
LEAD TO TOP-NOTCH PROVIDER EXPERIENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXCELLENCE .
TOOLS & PROCESSES
• Single provincial EMR
– Ensure good EMR ‘hygiene’
• Digital tools that facilitate trainee evaluations, annual review, COI declarations, mandatory training
METRICS
• Annual, 2-question survey
YEAR 1 REPORT
• Improved tracking of teaching contributions within training programs/Divisions including EPA and ITER completion
• Innovations introduced, including an AI scribe pilot project
• JGH Connected Health Record continues to evolve and grow with expected full implementation in the next year
• EPIC expected to come to the MUHC in 2026
• Several quality care digital tools are already in place, with at least 14 submitted tools reported
• Transitioning mentorship software to myCourses
• Digital Solutions Scorecard survey conducted across three sites to assess current tools and gaps
ASPIRATION
WHERE EMPLOYEE GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT IS VALUED, INTEGRATED AND PARAMOUNT TO THE SUCCESS OF THE DEPARTMENT .
TOOLS & PROCESSES
• Invest in leadership development for DDs, PDs, and other leaders
• Small group and large group team building sessions
• Work with administrative leaders to ensure we’re partners in helping team members grow
METRICS
• Annual 1-question all-DOM survey
YEAR 1 REPORT
• DOM Mentorship Program expanded:
– 115 active mentors and mentees (up from 112)
– 32 current active matches
• 84% of mentees and 70% of mentors reported satisfaction with the mentoring process
• Transitioning mentorship software to myCourses
• All-DOM Survey Results:
– 55% of respondents agreed or strongly agreed with the statement: “I love working in the DOM
– 49% agreed they have time for self-care while fulfilling their duties
– 25% reported not having enough time for self-care in their role
Our Mission and Values
Throughout this process, we heard important, entrenched and well-supported values that characterise McGill DOM today and will only be strengthened tomorrow.
• Diversity/Inclusivity/Accessibility
• Excellence
• Patient Partnership/Community Outreach
• Collaboration
• Sustainability
• Transparency
• Wellness
If we are successful in our efforts in the next five years, we will have achieved our goals of ...
TRANSFORMING CARE LOCALLY THROUGH EFFECTIVE ADVOCACY, DIGITAL INNOVATION AND ATTRACTING/TRAINING THE BEST AND BRIGHTEST . TRANSFORMING CARE GLOBALLY THROUGH WORLD CLASS TRANSLATIONAL RESEARCH TEAMS . PROVIDING A SAFE AND HEALTHY LEARNING/WORK ENVIRONMENT WHERE WE VALUE YOUR GROWTH . ”
IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Dr. Marina Klein
Translating vision into reality
By Timothy Gouldson
The changing landscape of HIV and STBBI research at McGill University is gradually coming into focus under the discriminating eye of McGill University professor of medicine and part-time photographer, Dr. Marina Klein.
A specialist in infectious diseases, Dr. Klein is directing a recent $25-million investment from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), to expand CTN+, a national clinical trials network for HIV and STBBIs (sexually transmitted and blood-borne infections) research. Meanwhile, she has just completed her second book of photographs titled, In Search of Serenity, Japan in Four Movements, a collection of shots taken on her recent visit to the Land of the Rising Sun.
Dr. Klein says she started to get serious about photography about 12 years ago. “My father was a professional photographer (with a few photos acquired by the New York Museum of Modern Art). He gave me my first camera when I was a child, a Kodak Instamatic, and his work has always been my inspiration.” Her specialty is landscapes.
A panoramic view will no doubt be useful as Dr. Klein directs funds within CTN+ to reimagine its network and expand its mandate to cover a broader range of sexually transmitted infections including, viral hepatitis and syphilis, and to broaden its scope in addressing regional priorities. “In the new mandate, we’re really focused on developing some large, high-impact studies in HIV and STBBI prevention, in HIV treatment and management, all the way through to finding cures for these infections.”
In a second phase, CIHR is giving CTN+ the opportunity to provide new training to undergraduates and master’s level students, as well as community-based researchers. “It’s an exciting opportunity. We’re writing those grants right now, and they’re going to be tied to each region so that they reflect the regional priorities and help build regional capacity for trials research,” Dr. Klein notes.
The revised mandate also warrants Indigenous perspectives to be integrated into its core operations and processes. To that end, CTN+ has added an Indigenous principal knowledge user to its executive committee to direct program development in accordance with Indigenous ways of knowing and doing. “We’ve set up a separate Indigenous Circle, which is a guidance committee that meets with the community leadership group, where they can discuss and prioritize areas of research for Indigenous peoples. In each region, we’ve identified Indigenous people who are part of the regional teams, who then also participate in these other governance parts of the network.”
The mandate ushers in another significant research element Dr. Klein says. “We have a methods group, which is turning out to be one of the biggest changes in the network, and really a valuable resource to all the researchers in the network where we’re bringing together experts in various aspects of clinical trials and clinical research that can help people develop their projects. We hope that this will translate into much more impactful science.”
Dawn at Mistake Peak, photo by Dr. Marina Klein
WE HOPE THAT THIS WILL TRANSLATE INTO MUCH MORE IMPACTFUL SCIENCE . ” “
Dr. Klein’s trajectory to national director of CTN+ began as a biology undergrad at Mount Saint Vincent University in Halifax. “I was always interested in immunology,” she notes. In the early-nineties, Dr. Klein entered McGill medical school and completed a residency in internal medicine at the Royal Victoria Hospital.
At the time, HIV infection had become a major health issue, one which Dr. Klein decided to further investigate. “There was a lot of stigma involved and virtually no treatment available, so I was very much interested in pursuing training in HIV.” That interest led her to an infectious disease fellowship at the University of Minnesota.
When HIV treatments materialized, Dr. Klein chose to focus on clinical research, bringing her back to McGill to complete a master’s in epidemiology. “Twenty years ago, I built a Canadian cohort of people living with HIV and hepatitis c. which has led to several clinical trials, and ultimately inspired me to develop a program aimed at eliminating hepatitis c in Montreal.”
The CTN grew along with the evolving HIV epidemic, Dr. Klein says. “It was started to give people living with HIV access to emerging therapies and to test whether these new therapies and drugs could improve health outcomes for them.”
HIV remains an important health threat across the world and in Canada. According to the CIHR, in 2022, globally: 39 million people were living with HIV; 630,000 died from HIV/AIDS; 1.3 million people were newly infected; and an estimated 58 million people were living with chronic hepatitis c and 296 million with hepatitis b.
Life as Art, photo by Dr. Marina Klein
Rainy Night in Tokyo, photo by Dr. Marina Klein
Year-end Numbers and Summary
DOM BY NUMBERS
279 RESIDENTS
Reference period: July 1, 2024 to June 30, 2025, Academic Year
57 FELLOWS
Reference period: July 1, 2024 to June 30, 2025, Academic Year
640 MEDICAL STUDENTS
Reference period: July 1, 2024 to June 30, 2025, Academic Year
314 MCGILL DOM–ADMINISTERED RESEARCH FUNDS
Reference period: As of July 1, 2024
38 RETIREMENTS/ DEPARTURES
Reference period: Jan 1, 2024 to Dec 31, 2024, Calendar Year
11 PROMOTIONS DOSSIERS
Reference period: Jan 1, 2024 to Dec 31, 2024, Calendar Year
65 POSTDOCTORAL FELLOWS
Reference period: Jan 1, 2024 to Dec 31, 2024, Calendar Year
46 NEW FACULTY HIRES
Reference period: Jan 1, 2024 to Dec 31, 2024, Calendar Year
17
ANNUAL EVENTS
Reference period: Jan 1, 2024 to Dec 31, 2024, Calendar Year
FACULTY DISTRIBUTION
DOM is one of the largest departments at McGill. It is a vibrant, diverse and top performing unit, with members who pursue scholarly work that contributes to the advancement of knowledge across a vast spectrum of inquiry and who provide excellent clinical care across a vast swath of the Quebec territory.
813
TOTAL DOM FACULTY MEMBERS
481 CORE FULL-TIME FACULTY MDs & PhDs
332 PART-TIME FACULTY MDs & PhDs
103 FULL PROFESSORS
162 ASSOCIATE PROFESSORS
Core Full-time
210 ASSISTANT PROFESSORS
6 FACULTY LECTURERS
176 FACULTY LECTURERS
12 ASSOCIATE PROFESSORS
Part-time
38 ASSISTANT PROFESSORS
106 ADJUNCT PROFESSORS clinical (MD) and research (PhD) and Affiliates - unranked
2024 marked the second year of using a web-based platform to capture information for the Annual Evaluation exercise. The platform provides us with a treasure trove of data to inform and drive our policies, processes and programming. Here is a snippet of what we learned about DOM through use of the platform in 2024.
Full-Time faculty distribution per profile type
52% CLINICIANTEACHER
17.9% CLINICIANSCIENTIST
6.9% CLINICIANINVESTIGATOR
15.4% SCIENTIST
4.2% CLINICIANEDUCATOR
3.7% CLINICIANADMINISTRATOR
Formal or didactic teaching
Teaching contributions in the DOM
CLINICIAN-TEACHER
198 CLINICIAN-SCIENTIST
CLINICIAN-INVESTIGATOR
CLINICIAN-EDUCATOR
CLINICIAN-ADMINISTRATOR
CLINICIAN-TEACHER
198 CLINICIAN-SCIENTIST
CLINICIAN-INVESTIGATOR
CLINICIAN-EDUCATOR
CLINICIAN-ADMINISTRATOR
Quantity of Ward/Inpatient in number of weeks per year
Quantity of Consult Service in number of weeks per year
Quantity of Outpatient/Clinic in number of half-days per week
Did you know?
IN CANADA, THE FIGHT FOR EQUITY IN MEDICINE BEGAN IN EARNEST A CENTURY AGO . IN 1924, WITH THE FOUNDING OF THE FEDERATION OF MEDICAL WOMEN OF CANADA (FIVE YEARS BEFORE WOMEN WERE LEGALLY RECOGNIZED AS PERSONS UNDER CANADIAN LAW), DR MAUDE ABBOTT, THE FEDERATION’S FOUNDING PRESIDENT, RALLIED HER COLLEAGUES TO PRESS FOR CHANGE . AT THAT TIME, MEDICAL SCHOOLS WERE STILL RELUCTANT TO ACCEPT WOMEN OF THE APPROXIMATELY 8,000 DOCTORS IN CANADA, ONLY 187 (TWO PERCENT) WERE WOMEN, WITH MANY TRAINED ABROAD IN THE U .S . OR EUROPE . WE HAVE COME A LONG WAY BUT DON’T YET HAVE GENDER EQUITY AT THE TOP OF THE PROFESSORIAL RANKS AND LEADERSHIP POSITIONS
Photo: Dr. Maude Abbott
GENDER DISTRIBUTION (FULL-TIME
DOM MEMBERS)
This analysis highlights the current state of gender distribution within the DOM compared to the national landscape. By identifying discrepancies in the representation of men and women, the DOM can take targeted actions to promote gender diversity and inclusivity.
The data shows that the percentage of women in the DOM increased from 41 to 42 percent, placing the department on par with the national average. Although more work needs to be done, this alignment with national trends indicates that we are on the right path toward achieving a balanced gender distribution within the department.
DOM Versus National Trends for Full-Time Faculty Member Gender Distribution
DOM FULL-TIME FACULTY MEMBER GENDER DISTRIBUTION
58% MEN
42% WOMEN
31% OF MCGILL DIVISION DIRECTORS 4 of 13
In DOM leadership positions, women are:
31% OF MUHC DIVISION DIRECTORS 5 of 16 27% OF JGH DIVISION DIRECTORS 4 of 15 33% OF SMH DIVISION DIRECTORS 4 of 12
DOM has been sponsoring leadership courses for full-time faculty (through the Canadian Medical Association) and we hope this will result in better representation of women in leadership positions in the DOM.
67% OF DOM ASSOCIATE CHAIRS 4 of 6
CANADIAN FACULTIES OF MEDICINE FULL-TIME FACULTY MEMBER GENDER DISTRIBUTION
58% MEN
42% WOMEN
COMMUNICATIONS CORNER
WEBSITE STATISTICS Views1 Sessions2 Users3
Total 2023 47 325 26 026 20 923
Total 2024 43 082 34 291 29 744
Variation - 9% 32% 42%
INTERPRETATION:
• User Growth: The number of unique users visiting our website jumped by over 42%, a strong indicator of increased reach.
• Sessions: Visits rose by 32%, suggesting repeat engagement or stronger campaigns.
• Page Views: The slight drop in views (-9%) might indicate that users are navigating more efficiently (fewer pages per visit).
• Higher ranking of the Department of Medicine website on Google.
1 Views: This is the total number of pages viewed. It includes repeated views of a single page by the same user during a session.
2 Sessions: A session is a group of user page interactions that take place within a given time frame (30 min). If user leaves your site and comes back later, it counts as a new session.
3 Users: Number of unique individuals who visited your site. Each person is counted once, even if they visit multiple times.
NEWSLETTER STATISTICS:
In 2024, we distributed a total of 27 newsletters to our community. Engagement with our communications remained strong, with the average open rate increasing from 52% in 2023 to 54% in 2024, indicating that more recipients were reading our updates. The click rate also improved from 3.9% to 4.2%, showing higher interaction with the content and links we shared.
Early 2025 results suggest that this trend is continuing, with a click rate of 4.7%, the highest in the past three years, while open rates have remained consistently above 54%.
INDUSTRY BENCHMARK: WHAT’S CONSIDERED GOOD?
Did you know?
AT THE JEWISH GENERAL HOSPITAL (JGH), DR . MARK WAINBERG IS BEST KNOWN FOR HIS DISCOVERY OF LAMIVUDINE (3TC), A KEY ANTIRETROVIRAL DRUG USED IN THE TREATMENT OF HIV/AIDS . HIS WORK REVOLUTIONIZED HIV TREATMENT BY MAKING IT MORE EFFECTIVE AND ACCESSIBLE LAMIVUDINE BECAME
A CORNERSTONE OF ANTIRETROVIRAL THERAPY, SIGNIFICANTLY IMPROVING THE LIVES OF MILLIONS OF PEOPLE LIVING WITH HIV AROUND THE WORLD IN ADDITION TO THIS DISCOVERY, DR WAINBERG MADE SIGNIFICANT CONTRIBUTIONS TO HIV RESEARCH, INCLUDING STUDYING DRUG RESISTANCE AND ADVOCATING FOR GLOBAL ACCESS TO HIV TREATMENT . HE WAS ALSO A STRONG ADVOCATE FOR HUMAN RIGHTS AND THE FIGHT AGAINST HIV/AIDS STIGMA
Photo: Dr. Mark Wainberg
TOP H-INDICES FOR FULL-TIME FACULTY MEMBERS HOLDING PRIMARY APPOINTMENTS IN THE DOM
Below we use the H-index metric as one measure of academic success of our members. The index is based on the set of the scientist’s most cited papers and the number of citations that they have received in other publications. “The h-index is an author-level metric that measures both the productivity and citation impact of the publications of a scientist or scholar. The h-index correlates with obvious success indicators such as winning the Nobel Prize, being accepted for research fellowships and holding positions at top universities.”[1]
We obtain our H-index report from SciVal — a research analysis tool now being used at McGill — and the SciVal results are considered to be more ‘conservative’ than those gleaned from Google Scholar, for example, since the latter also includes non-peer-reviewed articles and publications. As a result, the H-index from SciVal will be lower than the Google Scholar H-index.
Ref (1) Bornmann, Lutz; Daniel, Hans-Dieter (July 2007). “What do we know about the h-index?”. Journal of the American Society for Information Science and Technology. 58 (9): 1381–1385. doi:10.1002/asi.20609.
*Includes faculty with joint appointments to another McGill department, but primary in Medicine.
Top 30 H-indices – 2024
Name
Touyz, Rhian M 133
Foulkes, William D . 113
Schiffrin, Ernesto L 110
Richard, Menzies 89
Goltzman, David 87
Kahn, Susan R 86
Muller, William J
Verma, Atul 80
Barkun, Alan N .g 79
Richards, John Brent 79
Nandini
Susan J
Hussain, Sabah N .a
Filion, Kristian B
Spotlight on Early Career faculty’s research impact
As the H-index increases with years of active publication, we thought it would be of interest to highlight the top 10 H-indices among our recent Early Career faculty (defined for this analysis as hired (whether full-time or part-time) since 2019 and age < 40):
17
CIHR OPERATING GRANTS (FULL-TIME DOM MEMBERS)
*Please take note that the drop is due to the end of the C-Nodes Grant which is now administered by another Federal funded Agency (CADTH).
$51,257,244
YEAR-OVER-YEAR
DOM FRQS SUCCESS
The DOM has a strong tradition of batting at or well above average in FRQS Scientist/Clinician-Scientist applications when compared with the rest of McGill and the rest of the province.
There are many reasons for our success including that we recruit the best/brightest and we support them during the crucial early years of their careers. Of course, the benefits of this success are many and include: 1) protecting our FRQS-funded scientists’ time for research, which is a cornerstone of research productivity that reflects well collectively on the DOM and 2) FRQSfunded DOM members go “hors PEM” allowing us to recruit another faculty member (which leads to a net increase in clinical full-time equivalents). We all win by ensuring/supporting/encouraging DOM FRQS success!
The McGill Department of Medicine achieved an impressive 59% success rate in the FRQ-S competition, with 13 out of our 22 applicants receiving an award. This year, the FRQS awarded six Chercheur(e) de Mérite awards province-wide. Remarkably, three of these were granted to the McGill Division of Cardiology. Moreover, the department saw a notable success rate among its Chercheur(e) Boursier(e) Clinicien(ne) applications, with 9 out of 13 receiving awards. Additionally, one out of three Chercheur(e) Boursier(e) applications were successful.
DOM performance relative to McGill and relative to Quebec
Source: Research Office, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences (Total DOM awards removed from McGill and Quebec totals, to show relative success)
FRQS SALARY AWARDS (SPRING 2024)
Congratulations to DOM members who were successful in obtaining salary awards for applications submitted in 2023!
What a sweep! 13 Department of Medicine — appointed faculty received awards, for a success rate of 59%. These awards attest to the quality of the support our department/institutional partners provide and to the excellence of the researchers and their research programs.
CHERCHEURS-BOURSIERS ET CHERCHEUSES-BOURSIÈRES DE MÉRITE
Dr. Jonathan Afilalo
Dr. Ariane Marelli
Dr. George Thanassoulis
CHERCHEURS-BOURSIERS ET CHERCHEUSES-BOURSIÈRES
SENIOR
Dr. Andrea Benedetti
CHERCHEURS-BOURSIERS CLINICIENS ET CHERCHEUSESBOURSIÈRES CLINICIENNES SENIOR
Dr. Sushmita Pamidi
Dr. Francois Tournoux
Dr. Cedric Yansouni
CHERCHEURS-BOURSIERS CLINICIENS ET CHERCHEUSESBOURSIÈRES CLINICIENNES
JUNIOR 2
Dr. Deborah Assayag
Dr. Yen-I Chen
CHERCHEURS-BOURSIERS CLINICIENS ET CHERCHEUSESBOURSIÈRES CLINICIENNES
JUNIOR 1
Dr. Amine Benmassaoud
Dr. Jacqueline Joza
Dr. Elena Netchiporouk
Dr. Romina Pace
Dr. Marilyn Ahun Clinical Epidemiology
NEW FULL-TIME FACULTY APPOINTMENTS 2024
Dr. Guillaume Butler-Laporte Infectious Diseases
Dr. Elvin Kedhi Cardiology
Dr. Mark Liszkowski Cardiology
Dr. Marc Nicolas Bienz Hematology
Dr. Ugochinyere Vivian Ukah Clinical Epidemiology
Dr. Iulia Iatan General Internal Medicine
Dr. Camille Pelletier Vernooy General Internal Medicine
Dr. Nader Toban Rheumatology
Dr. Christopher Murphy Hematology
Dr. Harmehr Sekhon Geriatric Medicine
Dr. Maria Fadous Cardiology
Dr. Johnathan Mack Hematology
Dr. Melissa-Rosina Pasqua Endocrinology and Metabolism
Dr. Sanabelle Zaabat
General Internal Medicine
Dr. Saman Ahmad General Internal Medicine
Dr. Matthew Ades General Internal Medicine
Dr. Lindsey Gerstein General Internal Medicine
Dr. Lorne Schweitzer Infectious Diseases
Dr. Steven Li Fraine Gastroenterology and Hepatology
Dr. Isabella Albanese Endocrinology and Metabolism
Dr. Amine Nasri Cardiology
Dr. Sarah Ousalem General Internal Medicine
Dr. Pingxing Xie Dermatology
Dr. Rachel Bierbrier Dermatology
PROMOTIONS 2024
FULL PROFESSOR PROMOTIONS
Dr. Kristian Filion
Dr. Todd Lee
Dr. Suzanne Morin
Dr. Momar Ndao
Dr. Dao Nguyen
Dr. Donald Vinh
ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR PROMOTIONS (FULL-TIME)
Dr. Deborah Assayag
Dr. Julia Chabot
Dr. Yen-I Chen
Dr. Maxime Cormier
Dr. Maral Koolian
EDUCATION
The DOM is responsible for 14 residency training programs and for the delivery of the internal medicine component of the undergraduate medical education curriculum.
We are grateful to our Education leaders for their role in the development of the next generation of McGill-trained health care providers, who supervise, guide and mentor approximately 640 medical students, 279 residents and 57 fellows each year.
And we are grateful to our Education leaders for their role in the development of the next generation of McGill-trained scientists, who teach and supervise approximately 350 graduate students for the current year.
Directors of Postgraduate Residency Training Programs (PGME)
CORE INTERNAL MEDICINE (R1-R3)
Dr. Ning-Zi Sun Program Director
Dr. Jonathan How Assistant Program Director
Dr. Samuel Mamane JGH Site Program Director
Dr. Sana Swaleh MGH Site Program Director
Dr. Penny Toliopoulos RVH Site Program Director
Dr. Jonathan Houle Point-of-Care Ultrasound (PoCUS) Curriculum Director
CARDIOLOGY
Dr. Maude Peretz-Larochelle Program Director
Dr. Negareh Mousavi Program Director
ENDOCRINOLOGY AND METABOLISM
Dr. Vanessa Tardio Program Director
Dr. Vincent Larouche Program Director
DERMATOLOGY
Dr. Lisa Iannattone Program Director
Dr. Therese El Helou Program Director
GASTROENTEROLOGY
GERIATRIC MEDICINE
Dr. Chiara Saroli-Palumbo Program Director
GENERAL INTERNAL MEDICINE (R4-R5)
Dr. Teresa Cafaro Program Director
Dr. Natasha Nathoo Program Director
Dr. Stéphanie Cérat Program Director
Dr. Catherine Talbot-Hamon Program Director
IMMUNOLOGY AND ALLERGY
Dr. Michael Fein Program Director
Directors of PGME (cont’d)
Dr. Laura Anne Habib Program Director
MEDICAL BIOCHEMISTRY
Dr. Brian Gilfix Program Director
HEMATOLOGY
Dr. Anna Nikonova Program Director
MEDICAL MICROBIOLOGY AND INFECTIOUS DISEASES
Dr. Makeda Semret Program Director
Dr. Catherine Weber Program Director
NEPHROLOGY
Dr. Sonali de Chickera Program Director
Dr. Sapha Barkati Program Director
Dr. Chantal Cassis Program Director
RESPIRATORY MEDICINE
Dr. Linda Ofiara Program Director
RHEUMATOLOGY
Dr. Sharon Nessim Assistant Program Director
Dr. Fares Kalache Program Director
Undergraduate Medical Education (UGME) Internal Medicine component
CHAIR, UGME COMMITTEE
TRANSITION TO CLINICAL PRACTICE (TCP) COURSE DIRECTOR
TCP COURSE SITE DIRECTORS
CLERKSHIP COURSE DIRECTOR
GERIATRIC MEDICINE CLERKSHIP COURSE DIRECTOR
CLERKSHIP COURSE SITE DIRECTORS
Dr. Nathalie Saad
Dr. Andrea Blotsky
Dr. Nan Zhao (JGH)
Dr. Les Meissner (SMH)
Dr. Erica Rubin (Campus Outaouais)
Dr. Nan Zhao
Dr. Penny Toliopoulos (RVH)
Dr. Saman Ahmad (MGH)
Dr. Jill Pancer (JGH)
Dr. Les Meissner (SMH)
Dr. Moez Tajdin (Campus Outaouais)
Dr. Andrea Blotsky (MUHC)
Dr. Joshua Lubov
GRADUATE PROGRAM IN CLINICAL AND TRANSLATIONAL RESEARCH
MAJOR OBJECTIVES OF THE DIVISION OF CLINICAL AND TRANSLATIONAL RESEARCH
In 2024, the Division of Experimental Medicine was renamed the Division of Clinical and Translational Research. The new Division title reflects the contemporary breadth of our research. The graduate programs in the Division of Clinical and Translational Research emphasize research-driven and stimulating learning opportunities in clinical and translational research. The objectives are to provide students with experience in a variety of research disciplines and to equip students with skills in literature review, critical thinking, state-of-the-art research methods and in the presentation of complex ideas to audiences of varied levels of expertise.
PROGRAM UPDATES FROM 2024
1. Division leadership — after 11 years of service, Dr. Anne-Marie Lauzon’s term as Director ended and the Division welcomed Dr. Andrew Mouland as the new Director of the Division. Dr. Mouland is a Professor in the Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, and Senior Investigator and Head of the HIV-1 RNA Trafficking Laboratory, Lady Davis Institute for Medical Research.
2. New Program Concentrations in Development — Proposals for the PhD option in Digital Health Innovation and the MSc and PhD options in Clinical Research were submitted to the Faculty Curriculum Committee in Fall 2024 and are currently under review.
3. Curriculum and Program Review — With the revised emphasis on translational research, the Division initiated an internal program review of the current curriculum structure and new initiatives to support students that we plan to have finalized and implemented in 2025.
GOVERNANCE
The Division of Clinical and Translational Research (ExMed stream) is led by a Graduate Program Director and an Associate Graduate Program Director. An Executive Committee oversees program development and curriculum review and is comprised of members from each Research Institute, both PhDs and MDs, and meets every nine months. An admissions committee comprised of 5 faculty members evaluates applications on a rolling basis. The Division joins together 300 professors (clinical and basic science researchers) located at McGill University’s teaching hospitals and Research Institutes who supervise graduate students. In 2024, 15 new faculty members (4 MDs and 10 PhDs, 1 MD/PhD) joined the Division.
PROGRAMS
The Graduate Program offers 45 courses ranging from the Biology of Cancer to Quantitative Research Methods. In addition to programs above under development, the ExMed stream offers 6 thesis-based degrees, in addition to the diploma and certificate programs:
• MSc in Experimental Medicine (Options in Bioethics, Environment, or Digital Health Innovation)
• PhD in Experimental Medicine (Option in Environment)
• Graduate Diploma in Clinical Research
• Graduate Certificate in Regenerative Medicine
Prof. Andrew Mouland Graduate Program Director
Dr. Elizabeth Fixman Associate Program Director
STUDENT STIPEND POLICY
The Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences (FMHS) harmonized stipend policy requires that all graduate students receive a base living allowance in addition to tuition and fees. For the 2024-2025 year, the Graduate Program (ExMed stream) received $1,109,700 in Graduate Excellence Funds that were used to help off-set the higher tuition paid by out-of-province and international students and to support the first year incoming PhD students. A small amount was also used for Graduate Excellence Awards for exceptional Canadians and permanent residents.
STUDENT FUNDING
In 2024, ExMed students successfully received funding from external and internal sources. Seventy students received external studentships totaling $1,834,100 including 5 CIHR-Doctoral, 7 CGS-Masters, 16 FRQS Doctoral, 8 FRQS Masters awards, and 5 Cancer Research Society Doctoral Awards. Of special mention, three PhD students, Aline Atallah, Jae Byun, and Tarek Taifour, were awarded prestigious Vanier scholarships, joining three other students who were awarded this honour in 2023 and 2022. In 2024 ExMed has six active Vanier scholars. One ExMed student received the McCall MacBain Scholarship. Forty-seven students received internal awards and studentships from the FMHS and its associated Research Institutes totaling $581,000 in funding. An additional $1,109,700 in Graduate Excellence Funds from the FMHS were distributed by the Division to its students as tuition support for international and out-of-province students, recruitment awards for top Canadian/Permanent Resident applicants, and stipend support for all Canadian/ Permanent Resident first-year PhD students.
STUDENT RECRUITMENT
The FMHS Program Discovery Night was held on November 18, 2024 . Over 250 prospective graduate students participated in the remote event, where graduate programs presented the highlights of their programs. The main information session was followed by programspecific zoom drop-in sessions for students to visit.
STUDENT APPLICATIONS
The ExMed admissions committee reviews all complete applications submitted to its graduate programs and criteria of admission are based on applicants meeting minimum cGPA requirements, letters of recommendation, CVs, English language proficiency and personal statements. Only students who have a supervisor are formally accepted. In 2024, the Division welcomed 123 students (23 new students in Winter 2024 and 100 new students in Fall 2024).
STUDENT NUMBERS
Using GREAT Travel award funds from Graduate Studies and funds from the Gerald B. Price Memorial Endowment, 18 students received travel awards to present their research at conferences in Canada, the US and abroad in 2024. The GREAT awards provide an important opportunity for students to attend conferences, network with colleagues and learn about cutting edge research taking place by top scientists in their fields.
In addition, two students received Graduate Mobility Awards from GPS in order to conduct research abroad as part of their ExMed degree program.
STUDENT ORIENTATION
In September 2024 the ExMed Graduate Students’ Society (EMGSS), in collaboration with the Division, held its new student orientation at the MUHC. Students were presented with a detailed overview of the programs, program expectations, funding information, and university services available to them. Following orientation, the EMGSS organized an in-person social gathering off campus for all students in the Division.
STUDENT WELLNESS
EMGSS organizes activities to foster inclusiveness and to support graduate students in varied ways. Activities range from the Buddy Program, stress management workshops, social activities, peer guidance for thesis writing, and career development. In 2024, they hosted a professional LinkedIn profile photo shoot for ExMed students. The Local Wellness Advisor (LWA) for the graduate students in the FMHS offers one-on-one appointments for students in need of support, connects students to resources on and off campus, and offers wellness workshops in conjunction with the Student Wellness Hub.
SPECIAL EVENTS
The 2024 Annual McGill Biomedical Graduate Conference (AMBGC) was held on March 19th, 2024, and was attended by over 200 students and faculty members. The AMBCG included poster sessions, oral presentations, and a keynote presentation by Dr. Marcia Haigis, Department of Cell Biology, Harvard Medical School.
• Strategic Planning Townhall
January 8, 2024
• World Class Teams Competition
March 26, 2024
• Rising Star in Medicine Gala
June 14, 2024
• 2024 High Value Healthcare Symposium
June 18, 2024
• DOM Annual Awards Soirée
September 19, 2024
• Resident Research Meet & Greet
October 22, 2024
• New Faculty Orientation
December 2, 2024
• 2024 Research Symposium
December 3, 2024
DOM EVENTS
2024
SCHWARTZ ROUNDS
• MUHC: At What Time Does Sunday Become Monday?
January 16, 2024
• JGH: We Talk To Patients About Death But Who Talks To Us?
March 25, 2024
• SMH: Cornered Caregivers: Navigating Family Dynamics
May 16, 2024
• MUHC: Imposter Syndrome: Who, Me?
September 10, 2024
• SMH: Bearing the Burden of Medical Errors
December 5, 2024
WELOUNGE EVENTS
• “Take My Hand” by Dolen Perkins Book Club
February 28, 2024
• RVH WeLounge: Pop-Up Café & Snack Bar
October 29, 2024
• JGH WeLounge: Pop-Up Café & Snack Bar
October 31, 2024
• MGH WeLounge: Pop-Up Café & Snack Bar
December 12, 2024
DOM EVENTS
First taken in 2006 and recreated during the Department of Medicine’s Centennial Soirée in 2024, this iconic ‘Chairs of the Department’ photo reflects the continuity of leadership and the enduring legacy of those who have guided the department into 2025 and beyond.
From left to right: David Eidelman, Peter T. Macklem, Maurice McGregor, David Goltzman, W. Dale Dauphinee, Phil Gold and Tim Meagher (Photo taken on May 25, 2006, at the MUHC Department of Medicine Annual Dinner)
From left to right: David Eidelman, Phil Gold, David Goltzman, James Martin and Marc Rodger (Photo taken on September 19, 2024, at the McGill Department of Medicine Annual Awards Soiree)
2024 KUDOS
McGill University Honours and Awards
• Dr. Beth-Ann Cummings received the 2024 IHSE Research and Scholarship Catalyst Award.
• Dr. David Langleben and Dr. Michael Bonnycastle were honored as Laureates of 2024 Academy of Exemplary Physicians.
• Dr. Maral Koolian was named to 2024-2025 Faculty Honour List for Educational Excellence.
• Dr. Maxime Labelle received the 2024 Osler Award for Outstanding Teaching.
• Dr. Phil Gold was honoured by the Montreal General Hospital Foundation as part of the CODE LiFE Research Awards ceremony, by establishment of the Dr. Phil Gold Lectureship and naming of the Dr. Phil Gold Pavilion housing the RI-MUHC at the Montreal General Hospital site.
External Honours and Awards
• Dr. Abhinav Sharma was honoured by the Heart Failure Collaboratory and American Heart Association.
• Dr. Ana Copaescu received the 2024 FMSQ Research Award.
• Dr. Christina Wolfson has been appointed as a member of the BMJ Advisory Group on Large-Scale Cohort Studies.
• Dr. Ernesto Schiffrin received the 2023 Hypertension Canada Lifetime Achievement Award.
• Dr. Giada Sebastiani was named President Elect of the Canadian Association for the Study of the Liver (CASL).
• Dr. Isabelle Malhamé received an Early Career Researcher Invited Lectureship to address the Perinatal & Child Health Research Annual Meetings in June 2024.
• Dr. Jeffrey Wiseman received the 2024 AFMC Award.
• Dr. Jonathon Campbell received the Union-North America Region Early Career Investigator Award.
• Dr. Kevin Waschke received the Distinguished Service Award from the Canadian Association of Gastroenterology.
• Dr. Marilyn Ahun received the Victoria S. Levin Award for Early Career Success in Young Children’s Mental Health.
• Dr. Marilyn Ahun was awarded the Dr. Donald A. Henderson Prize for Outstanding Global Health Research.
• Dr. Marina Klein was named National Director of the CIHR Pan-Canadian Network for HIV/ AIDS and STBBI Clinical Trials Research (CTN+).
• Dr. Momar Ndao and Dr. Martin Olivier, co-chairs of the 16th International Congress of Parasitology to be held in August 2026, were honoured by the Palais des congrès de Montréal at its 2024 ambassadors’ gala.
• Dr. Nitika Pant Pai was selected to participate in the 2024 North America Cohort of the WomenLift Health (WLH) Leadership Journey.
• Dr. Patrick Willemot was appointed as Vice-Chair for the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada General Internal Medicine (GIM) Specialty Committee.
• Dr. Penny Toliopoulos ’ research project was selected as one of the top 3 abstracts at the International Conference of Residency Education (ICRE).
• Dr. Phil Gold was named a Grand Sage by the Fonds de recherche du Québec’s Prix Grands Sages.
• Dr. Rhian Touyz was elected as one of the newest Fellows of the Royal Society of Canada (RSC).
• Dr. Rhian Touyz was honoured by the International Society of Hypertension.
• Dr. Rita Suri received the Marcel Dufresne Award (Montreal chapter) for Volunteer of the Year from the Kidney Foundation of Canada.
• Dr. Susan Bartlett received the Association of Rheumatology Professionals (ARP) Master Award.
• Dr. Sushmita Pamidi was appointed a member of the Council of Canadian Academies’ (CCA) Expert Panel on Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Practices in the Post-secondary Research System.
• Dr. Yen-I Chen received the CIHR Early Career Award in Cancer.
IN
THE SPOTLIGHT:
Dr. Rubin Becker
Dr. Rubin Becker on the challenges and rewards of internal medicine
By Timothy Gouldson
I THINK THE HEALTHCARE SYSTEM IS SQUEEZED TO THE MAX TODAY . ” “
Aphysician at the Jewish General Hospital and associate professor of Medicine at McGill University, Dr. Rubin Becker has been managing change for much of his 44-year career. In fact, when asked what a typical day looks like for him, he says change has been a constant. “My day has really changed almost on a yearly basis. I have reaped the rewards of so many roles in medicine.”
Dr. Becker is credited with starting the division of geriatrics at the Jewish General in the early eighties. “At the time, geriatrics did not exist as a royal college specialty. I was among the first cohort to do the exams and become certified.” He established a geriatric assessment unit, a multidisciplinary team to assess elderly people who were frail and in difficult social circumstances. The team would tend to patients at the clinic and during house calls.
The following four decades would see Dr. Becker assuming the roles of chief of medicine at the Jewish Rehabilitation Hospital, program director for both core internal medicine and fellowship programs, and continuum care developer at the Waldorf residence for seniors. He also developed expertise in insurance medicine working for several insurers in medical underwriting. “So, as you can see from those roles, my day is not typical.”
His greatest source of pride has been the development of the Division of Internal Medicine which has grown from a handful of internists to 18 in total, with major expansion in the foreseeable future. Training to become an internist has become much more popular with six years of training required to join a teaching hospital. With the growth of the JGH division, many new services were created to include specialized clinics in thrombosis, peri-operative care, vascular medicine, and medical complications in pregnancy.
Now, after giving up his many administrative responsibilities, Dr. Becker keeps busy running the internal medicine teaching clinic he established in 1993. The clinic sees about 30 to 40 new consults a week and about 80 patients. “I train anywhere from two to five residents a
day while they’re seeing patients in the clinic, and I see my own patients as well, so it’s been not only challenging, but very fulfilling. The clinic has a big focus in rapid diagnosis of malignancies, because oncology doesn’t see the patient until they have a tissue diagnosis. When there’s a suspected malignancy, they often refer to us because it’s unclear which specialty they should go to,” Dr. Becker explains.
While the clinic has excelled in tailoring its assessment and treatment to the needs of its patients, like most other health care services it is confronted by a lack of resources, says Dr. Becker. “When I started in geriatrics a big portion of my work was to present the dilemma of resource gaps to the government and to the community to try to increase both home care and hospital care, as well as having more diverse alternatives for housing, which still remains a major challenge. We don’t have adequate resources in terms of medical beds or investigative resources to serve the population in need. And that’s why we find ourselves with emergency rooms that are always backed up.”
The situation extends to outpatient access to MRI and CT scans, nuclear medicine, radiology, and biopsies, Dr. Becker says. “Everybody is squeezed. To navigate the system and have a very rapid diagnostic pathway for your patients is hugely challenging.” He also also points out the added difficulties faced by refugee patients who do not have full medicare coverage, and the nearly one third of the clinic population without access to family doctors. “I think the healthcare system is squeezed to the max today, and while we work to try to fill the gaps, they are actually getting larger and larger.”
Resource issues notwithstanding, Dr. Becker sees growth ahead in internal medicine. Certified physicians will find Dr. Becker a valuable resource in their job search, but not in the traditional sense. He doesn’t offer jobs per se. “People always look at our division as a possibility for a job, and I always told them I don’t offer any jobs; I offer career opportunities, and the career opportunities are what ‘you’ want to do, not what ‘I’ want you to do.”
Division Heads and Division and Unit Reports
DIVISIONS ARE THE LIFE-BLOOD OF AN ACADEMIC DEPARTMENT OF MEDICINE ALMOST ALL CLINICAL SERVICE, RESEARCH AND TEACHING ARE DONE AT THE DIVISION LEVEL OUR DEPARTMENT HIGHLY VALUES AND SEEKS TO SUPPORT THE WORK DONE BY OUR DIVISIONS AND OF ALL MEMBERS THROUGHOUT THE DEPARTMENT . WE HOPE YOU ENJOY READING THESE REPORTS AS MUCH AS WE DID! THE MCGILL DEPARTMENT OF MEDICINE COMPRISES 16 CLINICAL DIVISIONS, ENCOMPASSING ALL ASPECTS OF INTERNAL MEDICINE AND ITS SUBSPECIALTIES
CLINICAL ALLERGY AND IMMUNOLOGY
Christos Tsoukas (McGill / MUHC)
4 Clinician-Teachers
2 Scientists
1 Clinician-Administrator
M. Dallmann-Sauer, V.M. Fava, S.T. Malherbe, C. McDonald, M. Orlova, E.E. Kroon, A. Cobat, S. Boisson-Dupuis, E. G. Hoal, L. Abel, M. Möller, J.L. Casanova, G. Walzl, N. du Plessis, E. Schurr Mycobacterium tuberculosis resisters despite HIV exhibit activated T cells and macrophages in their pulmonary alveoli, J Clin Invest, Jan 21:e188016, 2025
5 NOTABLE 2024 PUBLICATIONS (Division or DOM primary member’s name in bold type)
Copaescu AM, Vogrin S, Douglas A, Turner NA, Phillips EJ, Holmes NE, Trubiano JA. Risk of Self-Reported Penicillin Allergy Despite Removal of Penicillin Allergy Label: Secondary Analysis of the PALACE Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA Netw Open. 2024 Aug 1;7(8):e2429621. doi: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2024.29621. PMID: 39145980; PMCID: PMC11327879.
Peero EK, Banjar S, Khoudja R, Ton-Leclerc S, Beauchamp C, Benoit J, Beltempo M, Dahan MH, Gold P, Kadoch IJ, Jamal W, Laskin C, Mahutte N, Phillips S, Sylvestre C, Reinblatt S, Mazer BD, Buckett W, Genest G. Intravenous immunoglobulin for patients with unexplained recurrent implantation failure: a 6-year single center retrospective review of clinical outcomes. Sci Rep. 2024 Feb 16;14(1):3876. doi: 10.1038/s41598-024-54423-z. PMID: 38365988; PMCID: PMC10873418.
Fernando Alvarez, Glen M. La Muraglia II, Nicole V. Acuff, Jill Mooney, Matthew Mackey, Mark Peakman, and Ciriaco A. Piccirillo. (2024). The CD25-biased IL-2 SYNTHORIN™ SAR444336 promotes functionally-adapted FoxP3+ regulatory T cells in a pre-clinical model of type 1 diabetes. JCI Insight. 1: 1.
Copaescu AM, Mak HWF, Vogrin S, Holmes NE, Trubiano JA, Li PH. Global differences and risk factors influencing drug hypersensitivity quality of life: A multicenter, multiethnic study of drug allergy across 3 continents. J Allergy Clin Immunol Glob. 2024 Oct 18;4(1):100354. doi: 10.1016/j.jacig.2024.100354. PMID: 39624181; PMCID: PMC11609553.
EXCITING RESEARCH IN THE PIPELINE
Project Title: Nanoparticle-loaded bacterial immunotherapy for advanced melanoma
Co-Principal Investigator: Dr. Danuta Radzioch
Funding: CIHR
This CIHR-funded project ($1,060,000 CAD; 2023–2028) represents a transformative step in the development of targeted, multimodal treatments for advanced melanoma. It is led by Dr. Maryam Tabrizian (PI) in Biomedical Engineering in collaboration with Dr. Danuta Radzioch (co-PI), and co-investigators Dr. Ian Watson and Dr. Thusanth Thuraisingam. The research leverages cutting-edge bioengineering, immunotherapy, and cancer pharmacology.
Dr. Jesse Schwartz (JGH)
Dr. Jan Schulz (SMH)
Dr.
Building on the team’s foundational discovery that CuET, the active metabolite of disulfiram (a repurposed alcoholabuse drug), inhibits melanoma cell proliferation, this project explores the full therapeutic potential of CuET. The first goal is to determine the optimal CuET dosage to effectively halt tumor growth and impede the metastatic spread to visceral organs, a primary cause of mortality in melanoma patients. The second objective evaluates how CuET can synergize with immune checkpoint inhibitors, aiming to enhance the immune system’s ability to recognize and destroy cancer cells. This approach seeks to transform CuET into a potent adjunct that can improve and possibly extend the response window of existing immunotherapies.
The third and most innovative component introduces a magnetotactic bacterial delivery system, a breakthrough in precision oncology. These bacteria, guided magnetically, are designed to home in on inaccessible metastatic sites that are not amenable to surgical resection. Once at the tumor site, they can deliver CuET in a controlled manner bypassing systemic toxicity and addressing the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment. Advanced imaging and biodistribution studies in anesthetized murine models will assess how effectively this system delivers CuET, its release kinetics, therapeutic impact, and clearance pathways.
This integrative platform merges drug repurposing, immune modulation, and targeted nanobiotechnology in a powerful new strategy against metastatic melanoma. It aims to identify novel therapeutic targets, validate a non-invasive tumor-targeting delivery system, and generate strong preclinical evidence to support future clinical trials using CuET as an innovative antimetastatic agent.
IMPACTFUL CLINICAL INNOVATION
Driving Innovation Through Integrated Clinical Models
Our division continues to lead the way in redefining how complex immune and allergic conditions are managed, advancing care through interdisciplinary collaboration, innovation, and academic excellence. Two novel programs, our Multidisciplinary Eosinophilic Esophagitis (EoE) Clinic and the Chronic Urticaria and Mastocytosis Clinic highlight this transformative approach.
The Multidisciplinary EoE Clinic, the first adult-focused initiative of its kind in Canada, offers a seamlessly integrated model of care, bringing together Allergy & Immunology, Gastroenterology, and Nutrition. Designed for patients with severe or treatment-refractory EoE, the clinic enables same-day, co-located multidisciplinary assessments and individualized management strategies,
Clinical Allergy and Immunology
(cont’d)
including cutting-edge biologic therapies for those with recurrent food impactions. It has quickly emerged as a national leader in shaping best practices, spearheading the development of Canadian consensus guidelines and establishing Canada’s first dedicated EoE Fellowship in Allergy & Immunology. Its academic mission extends to hands-on multidisciplinary training and a robust focus on patient education and transitional care from pediatrics to adulthood.
Complementing this is the Multi-Disciplinary Chronic Urticaria and Mastocytosis Clinic at the McGill University Health Centre, one of Canada’s few centers with targeted expertise in rare immune-mediated and dermatologic diseases. As a UCARE-certified referral hub, it brings together allergists, dermatologists, immunologists, and clinical researchers to deliver personalized diagnostics and therapies for patients with chronic urticaria, mastocytosis, and hypereosinophilic syndromes. Its integration with research infrastructure — including advanced immunologic and genetic testing, biobanking, and clinical trial platforms — positions it at the forefront of knowledge translation, allowing innovations to be rapidly implemented at the bedside.
Together, these programs illustrate our commitment to a future-forward, patient-centered model of care that fuses clinical excellence, academic leadership, and translational science to improve outcomes for patients living with some of the most challenging immune and allergic conditions.
Transforming Allergy and Immunology Care at the Jewish General Hospital
The Division of Allergy and Immunology at the Jewish General Hospital is advancing new standards of care through innovative programs that address complex allergic and immune disorders.
At the forefront is the Drug Allergy Screening Program, integrated with the hospital’s Preoperative, HematologyOncology, and Dialysis services. This initiative, together with the division’s expertise in chemotherapy and biologic desensitization, ensures that patients with serious drug allergies can safely access essential, life-saving treatments.
Complementing this is a high-volume Allergy Clinic, providing over 5,000 visits annually, alongside specialized services for immune deficiencies and autoimmune disease. Patients benefit from comprehensive diagnostics - including skin and blood testing, food and drug challenges, and immunotherapy — delivered through an accessible, patient-centered model of care.
Anchored by its weekly Journal Club and more than 250 hours of teaching annually, the division also plays a vital role in training the next generation of allergists and immunologists, ensuring innovations move seamlessly from research to bedside.
Did you know?
DURING DR . SAMUEL FREEDMAN’S TENURE AT THE MONTREAL GENERAL HOSPITAL (MGH), SIGNIFICANT ADVANCES WERE MADE IN TREATING ASTHMA AND ALLERGIC RHINITIS INITIALLY, TREATMENTS INCLUDED INTRAVENOUS ACTH AND AMINOPHYLLINE, REQUIRING CLOSE MONITORING DUE TO THE LACK OF BLOOD LEVEL MEASUREMENT METHODS . THE INTRODUCTION OF PREDNISONE IN THE MID-1960S REDUCED THE NEED FOR DESENSITIZATION TREATMENTS DIAGNOSTIC METHODS EVOLVED, WITH INTRADERMAL AND SCRATCH TESTING BEING DEBATED BEFORE DR . JACK PEPYS’ PRICK TEST BECAME STANDARD ADDITIONALLY, UNDER DR JOSEPH SHUSTER’S SUPERVISION, THE CLINICAL IMMUNOLOGY LABORATORY INTRODUCED ADVANCED TESTING FOR AUTOIMMUNE DISEASES .
Photo: Dr. Samuel Freedman
Atul Verma (McGill / MUHC)
CARDIOLOGY
36 Clinician-Teachers
14 Clinician-Scientists
8 Scientists
5 Clinician-Investigators
3 Clinician-Educators
2 Clinician-Administrators
5 NOTABLE 2024 PUBLICATIONS
(Division or DOM primary member’s name in bold type)
Solla-Suarez P, Arif SG, Ahmad F, Rastogi N, Meng A, Cohen JM, Rodighiero J, Piazza N, Martucci G, Lauck S, Webb JG, Kim DH, Kovacina B, Afilalo J. Osteosarcopenia and Mortality in Older Adults Undergoing Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement. JAMA Cardiol. 2024 Jul 1;9(7):611-618.
Moiz A, Filion KB, Toutounchi H, Tsoukas MA, Yu OHY, Peters TM, Eisenberg MJ. Efficacy and Safety of Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonists for Weight Loss Among Adults Without Diabetes : A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials. Ann Intern Med. 2025 Feb;178(2):199-217.
Goldfarb MJ, Saylor MA, Bozkurt B, Code J, Di Palo KE, Durante A, Flanary K, Masterson Creber R, Ogunniyi MO, Rodriguez F, Gulati M; American Heart Association Council on Clinical Cardiology; Council on Cardiovascular and Stroke Nursing; Council on Hypertension; Council on Lifestyle and Cardiometabolic Health; Council on Peripheral Vascular Disease; and Council on Quality of Care and Outcomes Research. Patient-Centered Adult Cardiovascular Care: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association. Circulation. 2024 May 14;149(20):e1176-e1188.
Hallot S, Debay V, Foster N, Burns KEA, Goldfarb M. Development and initial validation of a family activation measure for acute care. PLoS One. 2024 Jan 31;19(1):e0286844. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0286844. eCollection 2024.
Fadous M, Chen-Tournoux AA, Eppich W. Current Use of Simulation in Canadian Cardiology Residency Programs: Painting the Landscape to Better Visualise the Future. Can J Cardiol. 2024 Sep;40(9):1757-1761.
Dr. Lawrence Rudski (JGH)
Dr. Mathieu Walker (SMH)
Dr.
EXCITING RESEARCH IN THE PIPELINE
Project Title: Family Engagement in the ICU
Principal Investigator: Dr. Michael Goldfarb
Funding: CIHR, Canadian Critical Care Trials Group, McGill Department of Medicine Scholarly Quality Grant, McGill Nursing Collaborative Research Funding, Azrieli Heart Center/JGH Foundation
Recruitment and Retention Strategies for Family Members in the Intensive Care Unit: A study within a trial randomized factorial design
Real time feedback to improve family engagement — NGAGE Trial
Virtual Family Participation in ICU Rounds
Project Title: Frailty in Acute Cardiac Care
Principal Investigator: Dr. Jonathan Afilalo
Funding: CIHR, Center for Aging and Brain Health Innovation Spark Grant, AWS Artificial Intelligence Award, JGH Foundation
Opportunistic Markers of Frailty in Acute Cardiac Care
Coreslicer: Deep Learning of CT Images for Frailty Assessment in Cardiac Care
Bioportal — phenotyping study
Project Title: Smoking Cessation in Coronary Artery Disease
Principal Investigator: Dr. Mark Eisenberg
Funding: CIHR
ASAP Trial — Aggressive Smoking Cessation Therapy Among People at Elevated Cardiovascular Risk
IMPACTFUL CLINICAL INNOVATION
The JGH Pericardial Clinic
The JGH’s Division of Cardiology embarked on the creation of a pericardial diseases clinic several years ago. The Clinic has grown organically into the 3rd largest such clinic in North America. It offers a full complement of services from the routine to biologics, and has a percutaneous and surgical program. We receive patients from all regions of Quebec for consultation and urgent procedures. Dr. Mardigyan served as a guest editor for a focussed edition of the Canadian Journal of Cardiology and co-authored a number of manuscripts with both world leaders as well as McGill Cardiology trainees. One important manuscript detailed how to set up a pericardial diseases program, and our model is now being translated to other sites in Canada, including the IUCPQ (Quebec Heart and Lung Institute), with the JGH training one of their Fellows. The JGH believes that our successes can and must be translated to other centers to the benefit of so many more.
CLINICAL EPIDEMIOLOGY
Dr. Robyn Tamblyn (MUHC)
11 Scientists
2 Clinician-Scientists
5 NOTABLE 2024 PUBLICATIONS
(Division or DOM primary member’s name in bold type)
Michael HU*, Brouillette MJ, Tamblyn R, Fellows LK, Mayo NE. Cognitive impact of anticholinergic and sedative burden in people living with HIV. AIDS. 2024 Nov 1;38(13):1819-1828.
Ahun, M.N. & Bacon, S.L. (2024). Behavioural science can improve parenting interventions. Nature Human Behaviour. 2024 Sep;8(9):1629-1630.
Ukah UV, Côté-Corriveau G, Nelson C, Healy-Profitós J, Auger N. Risk of adverse neonatal events in pregnancies complicated by severe maternal morbidity. J Pediatr. 2024 Oct;273:114149.
Suissa S, Schneeweiss S, Feldman WB, Tesfaye H, Wang S. Emulating Randomized Trials by Observational Database Studies: The RCT-DUPLICATE Initiative in COPD and Asthma. Am J Epidemiol. 2025 May 7;194(5):11521159.
Simms-Williams N, Treves N, Yin H, Lu S, Yu O, Pradhan R, Renoux C, Suissa S, Azoulay L. Effect of combination treatment with glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists and sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors on incidence of cardiovascular and serious renal events: population based cohort study. BMJ. 2024 Apr 25;358:e078242.
Suissa
EXCITING RESEARCH IN THE PIPELINE
Project Title: Optimization of precision therapy for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: A dynamic treatment regime analysis
Investigator: Dr. Samy Suissa
Funding: Canadian Institute for Health Research, Project Grant. — $135,788/yr
Date: 2024-2026
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is now the third leading cause of death worldwide. Single or dual long-acting bronchodilators are the primary initial therapy recommended for patients with COPD, with inhaled corticosteroids added with increasing severity. However, the evidence for these recommendations is unknown for newly diagnosed patients. The effectiveness of this treatment appears to vary with different patient characteristics, including blood test and clinical measures. We believe that these characteristics could help to identify the optimal treatment for a newly diagnosed COPD patient that balances the effectiveness with the risk, according to the patient’s specific profile. The “dynamic treatment regime” approach is an analytic strategy to identify patient-treatment profiles that optimize clinical outcomes over time. We will use this approach in a large cohort of over 200,000 patients newly diagnosed with COPD from a large primary care database that includes medical records for over 16 million people. This project will bring together expertise in pharmacoepidemiology, respiratory medicine, and biostatistics. It will also use a large and powerful healthcare database that includes extensive clinical and laboratory data, not available in other such data sources in Canada. This large real-world setting study of the treatment of COPD along with the dynamic
Dr. Samy
(JGH)
treatment regime approach will result in a precision medicine algorithm to optimize the management of newly diagnosed patients with COPD. By using patient characteristics routinely measured in the typical clinical setting, clinicians will be able to choose the optimal treatment path for each patient, according to their clinical profile, that increases the effectiveness and reduces the risk of treatment. The knowledge resulting from this study will be disseminated to a broad audience of clinicians, patients, and the public.
Project Title: Canadian Network for Observational Drug Effect Studies (CNODES)
Investigators: Drs. Robert Platt and Samy Suissa (PI)
Funding: Canadian Agency for Drugs and Technologies in Health (CADTH) — (Post-market drug evaluation (PMDE) Program) — $9,088,000
Date: 2022-2025
CNODES is a pan-Canadian network of over 100 scientists from all Provinces working to ensure the safety and effectiveness of drugs for Canadians, previously funded by CIHR and currently by CADTH. The coordinating center is located at the Jewish General Hospital’s Lady Davis Institute. CNODES is led by Drs Robert Platt and Samy Suissa, with collaborating hubs in seven Provinces. Our studies examine widely used drugs and are carried out in response to queries from our government partners, including Health Canada and provincial stakeholders. The results of these studies have important public health implications and have been published in highly ranked peer-reviewed international journals, benefitting not only Canadians, but patients worldwide. The data sources used by CNODES include population databases from seven Canadian provinces (Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Saskatchewan, and Quebec) and two international databases (UK CPRD and US MarketScan). CNODES also works in collaboration with the FDA Sentinel Initiative group in rapid-response studies, using a common data model (CDM) for standard analyses, as well as with the European Medicines Agency.
Project Title: Adaptation and Pilot Evaluation of a Digital Intervention Targeting the Psychosocial Needs of Individuals with Pregestational Diabetes: A Mixed-Methods
Investigator: Dr. Deborah Da Costa (PI)
Funding: CIHR - Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation — $874,140
Date: 2023-2027
IMPACTFUL CLINICAL INNOVATION
The Digital Health Innovation “Crown Jewel” Course: Developing Digital Innovations for Health Impact (EXMED630)
Dr. Nitika Pant Pai
EXMED630 is a health design thinking course that not only teaches innovative thinking mindsets but also provides practical knowledge on applying design thinking principles to solve real-world health and clinical problems. By the end of this course, students will have the skills to identify health issues, apply innovative and design thinking principles, and develop digital prototypes and cutting-edge solutions that can be directly applied in their respective fields. Students observe these problems in their health environments. The students learn the basics of innovative thinking and then proceed to learn design thinking. In nine weeks, they grow from the idea and develop a prototype. The course is focused on digital prototypes, wearables, and new cutting-edge solutions.
The new course — Exmed630 Digital Innovations for Social Impact — received the following accolade on the McGill Thank a Professor website:
Dr. Nitika Pant Pai is an exemplary professor at McGill University. As her student in EXMD630, I learned more about developing digital innovations, testing prototypes and addressing health inequities. Inspired by her lectures and passion for digital health, I have decided to join the Dobson Cup this year in their social impact stream. Dr. Pai is an amazing mentor, professor, and someone you can look up to. As a non-white woman, I often struggled to find positive role models who looked like me. I am forever grateful for her presence in my academic and professional journey.
DERMATOLOGY
Dr. Khue Huu Nguyen (McGill/MUHC)
5 Clinician-Teachers
4 Clinician-Scientists
2 Clinician-Investigators
1 Clinician-Educator
5 NOTABLE 2024 PUBLICATIONS
(Division or DOM primary member’s name in bold type)
Muntyanu A, Milan R, Kaouache M, Ringuet J, Gulliver W, Pivneva I, Royer J, Leroux M, Chen K, Yu Q, Litvinov I, Rahme E and E Netchiporouk. Tree-based Machine
Learning to Identify Predictors of Psoriasis Incidence at the Neighborhood Level: a Populational Study from Quebec, Canada. Am J Clin Dermatol. 2024 Mar 18: 25: 497-508. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40257-024-00854-3
Richie Jeremian, Alexandra Malinowski, Edward S Oh, Melinda Gooderham, Cathryn Sibbald, Jensen Yeung, Yuka Asai, Vincent Piguet, Carolyn S Jack. Epigenetic and biological age acceleration in children with atopic dermatitis. J Allergy Clin Immunol Glob. 2024 May 3;3(3):100275. doi: 10.1016/j.jacig.2024.100275
Bierbrier R, Javelle E, Norman FF, Chen LH, Bottieau E, Schwartz E, Leder K, Angelo KM, Stoney RJ, Libman M, Hamer DH, Huits R, Connor BA, Simon F, Barkati S; GeoSentinel Network. Chikungunya infection in returned travellers: results from the geosentinel network, 2005-2020. J Travel Med. 2024 Mar 1;31(2):taae005. doi: 10.1093/jtm/taae005. PMID: 38195993; PMCID: PMC11081466.
Robin Billick (JGH)
Zhu CK, Mija LA, Conte S, Ghezelbash S, Nallanathan B, Fortier-Riberdy G, Redpath M, Lefrançois P. Clinical, Dermoscopic, and Molecular Features of Acantholytic Squamous Cell Carcinoma: A Systematic Review. Cancers (Basel). 2024 Aug 21;16(16):2905. doi: 10.3390/cancers16162905. PMID: 39199675; PMCID: PMC11352210.
Lefrançois P, Doueidari Z, Kleiner O, Manion R, Dutz J, Philip A, Chan AW; Skin Investigation Network of Canada Priority Setting Collaborative. Top 10 research priorities for cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma: results of the Skin Investigation Network of Canada Priority Setting Initiative. Br J Dermatol. 2024 Feb 16;190(3):431432. doi: 10.1093/bjd/ljad387. PMID: 38114099; PMCID: PMC10873564.
EXCITING RESEARCH IN THE PIPELINE
Project Title: Atopic Dermatitis Immunophenotyping and Disease-Modifying Interventions
Investigator: Dr. Carolyn Jack
Funding: Montreal Dermatology Research Institute
Patients with Atopic dermatitis (Adermatitis) suffer from severe itch, rashes, and Staphylococcus aureus (staph) colonization. Adermatitis is the leading cause of disability among skin diseases, with a quality-of-life impact comparable to diabetes. Early-life staph exposure may promote atopic sensitization leading to airway and gut diseases such as asthma, increasing costs. This poses a significant threat to public health and requires urgent attention. Recent drug discoveries have started to pinpoint the precise inflammatory molecular signature IL13 in blood,
Dr.
but insight within human skin is needed, where interaction with skin bacteria is key. Using advanced genomics and imaging technologies, we developed an innovative single molecule single cell platform that not only identifies diseased cells and signals but delineates their activity within the layered structures of human skin. Here, we adapt an open-source computational model to test our hypotheses with this technology and to run unbiased bioinformatics, comparing diseased skin samples from patients with healthy subjects, and exploring biologic resistance pathways preventing full remission with patients exposed to therapies.
Project Title: Promoting dialogue, patient engagement and knowledge dissemination on skin wellness and dermatologic diseases in northern Indigenous communities of Nunavik
Investigators: Drs. Ivan Litvinov and Elena Netchiporouk
Funding: CIHR
Skin diseases can have a major impact on people’s health and quality of life. In isolated regions of northern Quebec, including Indigenous communities in Nunavik, access to dermatology care is extremely limited. There are no dermatologists practicing in areas beyond AbitibiTémiscamingue and Sept-Îles, leaving many individuals without access to specialized skin care and credible information. Indigenous populations in Nunavik face a higher burden of skin conditions like eczema, psoriasis, and skin infections. Children in these communities are particularly affected, with conditions like severe eczema being common. This project aims to improve skin health in Nunavik by providing culturally appropriate dermatology education and community engagement. Working with Indigenous leaders and local healthcare providers, we will develop educational materials in English, French, and Inuktitut to address common skin conditions and how best to manage them. The project will use the Montreal Derm FilEZ® online platform to share information through podcasts, videos, and training sessions that are easy to access. By involving the community, we will ensure that the educational content is relevant and respectful of traditional healing practices. The project will also organize in-person workshops, webinars, and radio programs to increase awareness about skin health
and empower people to take better care of their skin. Our goal is to improve access to dermatology knowledge/ credible information in Nunavik and support Indigenous communities in combining traditional medicine with modern treatments to achieve better health outcomes. This initiative will help people living in northern isolated areas gain the knowledge they need to manage skin conditions effectively, leading to healthier communities. Through partnerships with Indigenous leaders, healthcare providers, and patient advocacy organizations, we are committed to making a meaningful impact on skin health in Nunavik.
Project Title: Clinical trials evaluating concomitant use of anti-IL13 and anti-IL18 in atopic dermatitis; comparing remibrutinib and omalizumab in the treatment of chronic spontaneous urticaria; studying efficacity and safety of an experimental anti-TYK 2 in the treatment of psoriasis
Investigator: Dr. Simon Nigen
Ongoing trials evaluating new therapeutic modalities in various skin conditions.
IMPACTFUL CLINICAL INNOVATION
Establishment of the first clinic to investigate causes of drug rash
Co-lead by Dr. Simon Nigen (Dermatology) and Dr. Ana Copaescu (Allergy-Immunology)
To try to determine the precise cause of a drug rash, patients are first patch tested by dermatology, then will have skin prick test by allergy if the first test was negative before intradermal test or oral challenge if deemed necessary. This sequence of testing will help to determine both immediate and delayed reactions to more varieties of medications, leading to more accurate determination of the causative agents and more precise allergen avoidance.
ENDOCRINOLOGY AND METABOLISM
Dr. George Fantus (McGill/MUHC)
23 Clinician-Teachers
10 Scientists
8 Clinician-Scientists
2 Clinician-Investigators
2 Clinician-Educators
1 Clinician-Administrator
5 NOTABLE 2024 PUBLICATIONS
(Division or DOM primary member’s name in bold type)
Artusa P, Nguyen Yamamoto L, Barbier C, Valbon SF, Aghazadeh Habashi Y, Djambazian H, Ismailova A, Lebel MÈ, Salehi-Tabar R, Sarmadi F, Ragoussis J, Goltzman D, Melichar HJ, White JH. Skewed epithelial cell differentiation and premature aging of the thymus in the absence of vitamin D signaling. Sci Adv. 10, (39) eadm9582.
Jacobson S, Albanese I, Stetco JR, Garfield N. Type 1 Diabetes: Evaluating a Transition Care Model From Pediatric to Adult Care at the McGill University Health Centre. Can J Diabetes. 2025 Mar;49(2):128-132.e1. doi: 10.1016/j. jcjd.2024.12.001. Epub 2024 Dec 26. PMID: 39732286.
Albanese I, Drummond K, Tardio V, Dolmans D. Faculty perspectives on supervising endocrinology residents in the longitudinal clinic setting. J Clin Transl Endocrinol. 2025 Feb 28;40:100385. doi: 10.1016/j.jcte.2025.100385. PMID: 40110111; PMCID: PMC11919436.
Yale JF, Major-Pedersen A, Catarig AM, Jain R, Menzen M, Holmes P. Real-world safety profile of once-weekly semaglutide in people with type 2 diabetes: Analysis of pooled data from the SemaglUtide Real-world Evidence (SURE) programme. Diabetes Obes Metab. 2024 Oct;26(10):44294440. doi: 10.1111/dom.15794. Epub 2024 Aug 8. PMID: 39118222.
Brunet-Ratnasingham E, Morin S, Randolph HE, Labrecque M, Bélair J, Lima-Barbosa R, Pagliuzza A, Marchitto L, Hultström M, Niessl J, Cloutier R, Sreng Flores AM, Brassard N, Benlarbi M, Prévost J, Ding S, Anand SP, Sannier G, Marks A, Wågsäter D, Bareke E, Zeberg H, Lipcsey M, Frithiof R, Larsson A, Zhou S, Nakanishi T, Morrison D, Vezina D, Bourassa C, Gendron-Lepage G, Medjahed H, Point F, Richard J, Larochelle C, Prat A, Cunningham JL, Arbour N, Durand M, Richards JB, Moon K, Chomont N, Finzi A, Tétreault M, Barreiro L, Wolf G, Kaufmann DE. Sustained IFN signaling is associated with delayed development of SARS-CoV-2-specific immunity. Nat Commun. 2024 May 16;15(1):4177. doi: 10.1038/s41467024-48556-y. PMID: 38755196; PMCID: PMC11522391. Bottom of Form
Dr. Mark Trifiro (JGH)
Dr. Les Meissner (SMH)
EXCITING RESEARCH IN THE PIPELINE
Project Title: Understanding polarized EGFR trafficking and signal regulation by RAB-10/8 and AP-1
Investigator: Dr. Christian Rocheleau (PI)
Funding: CIHR Project Grant PJT-191910 — $803,250
Date: 2024-2029
Project Title: Role of methyl-CpG-binding domain protein 2 (Mbd2) in breast cancer development, progression and metastasis
Investigator: Dr. Shafaat Rabbani
Funding: CIHR — $1,116,900
Date: 2024-2029
IMPACTFUL CLINICAL INNOVATION
Novo Nordisk Funding Launches New Obesity Clinic at the Glen
The funding of the Metabolic Centre of Excellence by Novo Nordisk with $2 million facilitated the founding of a new Obesity Clinic (Healthy Weight Clinic) at the Glen Specialty Medicine Centre, with Drs. Tsoukas, Tardio, and Hu attending.
Did you know?
AT THE GASTROINTESTINAL RESEARCH LABORATORY AT THE ROYAL VICTORIA HOSPITAL, DR JACQUES KESSLER PIONEERED THE CLINICAL USE OF BREATH TESTING TO DIAGNOSE UPPER GI DISORDERS . HE ALSO IMPLEMENTED THE USE OF LIQUID CHROMATOGRAPHY TO DETECT DECONJUGATED BILE SALTS IN ENDOSCOPIC SAMPLES, IMPROVING DIAGNOSIS OF BLIND LOOP SYNDROME IN POST-GASTRECTOMY PATIENTS FROM EARLIER DECADES
Photo: Examples of negative (A) and positive (B) Millipore filter tests. Fig. 4 from Egger G, Kessler JI. Clinical experience with a simple test for the detection of bacterial deconjugation of bile salts and the site and extent of bacterial overgrowth in the small intestine. Gastroenterology . 1973 Apr;64(4):545-51. PMID: 4700770.
GASTROENTEROLOGY AND HEPATOLOGY
Dr. Alain Bitton (McGill/MUHC)
23 Clinician-Teachers
4 Clinician-Investigators
2 Clinician-Scientists
1 Clinician-Administrator
1 Scientist
misdeployment and factors associated with failure in endoscopic ultrasound-guided choledochoduodenostomy: analysis of the combined datasets from two randomized trials. Endoscopy. 2024 Dec 16. doi: 10.1055/a-2463-1601. PMID: 39505002.
5 NOTABLE 2024 PUBLICATIONS
(Division or DOM primary member’s name in bold type)
Feng G, Valenti L, Wong VW, Fouad YM, Yilmaz Y, Kim W, Sebastiani G, Younossi ZM, Hernandez-Gea V, Zheng MH. Recompensation in cirrhosis: unravelling the evolving natural history of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.
Almadi MA, Lu Y, Alali AA, Barkun AN. Peptic Ulcer Disease. Lancet. 2024 Jul 6;404(10447):68-81.
Chen YI, Long C, Sahai AV, Napoleon B, Donatelli G, Kunda R, Martel M, Chan SM, Arcidiacono PG, Lam E, Kongkam P, Forbes N, Larghi A, Mosko JD, Van der Merwe S, Gan SI, Jacques J, Kenshil S, Ratanachu-Ek T, Miller C, Saxena P, Desilets E, Sandha G, Alrifae Y, Teoh AYB; ELEMENT and DRA-MBO working groups. Stent
Shehab M, Alrashed F, Alsayegh A, Aldallal U, Ma C, Narula N, Jairath V, Singh S, Bessissow T. Comparative Efficacy of Biologics and Small Molecule in Ulcerative Colitis: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-analysis. Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2025 Feb;23(2):250-262. Epub 2024 Sep 5. PMID: 39182898.
Elmunzer BJ, Foster LD, Serrano J, Coté GA, Edmundowicz SA, Wani S, Shah R, Bang JY, Varadarajulu S, Singh VK, Khashab M, Kwon RS, Scheiman JM, Willingham FF, Keilin SA, Papachristou GI, Chak A, Slivka A, Mullady D, Kushnir V, Buxbaum J, Keswani R, Gardner TB, Forbes N, Rastogi A, Ross A, Law J, Yachimski P, Chen YI, Barkun A, Smith ZL, Petersen B, Wang AY, Saltzman JR, Spitzer RL, Ordiah C, Spino C, Durkalski-Mauldin V; SVI Study Group. Indomethacin with or without prophylactic pancreatic stent placement to prevent pancreatitis after ERCP: a randomised non-inferiority trial. Lancet. 2024 Feb 3;403(10425):450-458. doi: 10.1016/ S0140-6736(23)02356-5. PMID: 38219767; PMCID: PMC10872215.
Dr. Albert Cohen (JGH)
Dr. Karen Matouk (SMH)
Gastroenterology and Hepatology
(cont’d)
EXCITING RESEARCH IN THE PIPELINE
Project Title: Reducing neoplasia recurrence after endoscopic resection of large colorectal polyps
Investigators: Drs. Daniel Von Renteln (Co-PI) and Alan Barkun (Co-PI)
Funding: CIHR — $1,101,600
Date: 2023-2026
The aim of population-based colorectal cancer (CRC) screening is to detect and remove colorectal polyps before they develop into CRC. The most commonly used resection technique for flat colorectal polyps over 20mm is endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR). Although current EMR techniques are both safe and effective, they are associated with a high risk of recurrence (which usually occurs after 6 months’ follow-up), necessitating further endoscopic treatment or surgery. Two new techniques have recently been evaluated as complementary methods after EMR to reduce recurrence rates. The first is commonly practised and consists of thermal ablation of the margin with a hot snare. The second, more recently described in a preliminary fashion has the potential to further reduce post-EMR recurrence and consists of additional ablation of the resection bed using argon plasma hybrid coagulation. This is a randomized controlled study comparing the post-ablation recurrence rates attributable to each of the two techniques.
Project Title: Prophylactic EUS-guided gastroenterostomy in advanced periampullary cancers: A multicenter randomized controlled trial (INTERCEPT study)
Nominated Principal Applicant: Dr. Yen-I Chen
Funding: CIHR Project Grant — $795,600
Date: 2024-2029
Malignant gastric outlet obstruction (MGOO) is a common and morbid complication of periampullary cancers. Prophylactic surgical gastrojejunostomy has been shown to be beneficial in preventing MGOO and is the standard of care in patients who are found to have unresectable cancer during surgical exploration. Outside of this small subset of patients, MGOO is currently treated only when patients develop clinical evidence of obstruction with endoscopic stenting. EUS-guided gastroenterostomy (EUS-GE) has recently emerged as the superior modality in the management of established MGOO when compared to the standard of care. Our research question is whether prophylactic EUS-GE (ProEUS-GE), before clinical obstruction, can avert MGOO. We hypothesize that ProEUS-GE will lead to prevention of MGOO when compared to the standard wait-and-see approach leading to substantial decreases in morbidity and chemotherapy interruptions. This will be a multicentre RCT, enrolling 110 patients, comparing ProEUS-GE vs. standard of care in periampullary cancers with the rate of MGOO as the primary endpoint. This is a potentially paradigm changing trial in the management of patients with periampullary cancers.
Project Title: Improving colorectal cancer screening through artificial intelligence assisted neoplasia detection during colonoscopy
Investigators: Drs. Daniel Von Renteln (Co-PI) and Alan Barkun (Co-PI)
Funding: CIHR — $493,426
Date: 2024-2026
Randomized controlled trial (RCT) data and meta-analyses have suggested that Artificial Intelligence solutions developed to identify colorectal polyps during colonoscopy leads to increased polyp detection. Yet a series of recent implementation RCTs have not confirmed these
findings and authoritative society guidelines currently are not recommending its routine uptake in endoscopy units. Reasons for this are many but remain unclear. We are completing the only triple-blind RCT ever attempted in this area (to avoid any Hawthorne effect and better assess psychological biases in reasons for adopting this new AI approach or not into everyday practice). Outcomes include detection rates at the time of colonoscopy of adenomas (primary outcome), polyps, as well as sessile serrated, advanced lesions and right-sided lesions.
IMPACTFUL CLINICAL INNOVATION
Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection of Pre and Early Gastrointestinal Cancers
Drs. Yen-I Chen, Jérémie Jacques (Sam and Sadie Roth Visiting Professor) and Alan Barkun
Colorectal cancer screening enables the early detection of an increasing number of lesions, including advanced precancerous lesions and early-stage cancers (T1). Until recently, surgery remained the treatment of choice. However, the development of minimally invasive endoscopic treatments, particularly endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD), now allows these lesions to be treated endoscopically while preserving organ integrity.
ESD enables en bloc resection with safe margins, reducing the risk of recurrence for benign lesions and allowing the resection of early-stage cancers without the need for surgery. Due to the technical complexity of this procedure, a dedicated training program is essential. Under the leadership of Dr. Yen-I Chen, Director of Therapeutic Endoscopy; Dr. Jérémie Jacques, Visiting Professor; and Dr. Alan Barkun, Director of all Endoscopy, the McGill University Health Centre (MUHC) has established a unique training program in North America.
Eight gastroenterologists from Quebec, including four from the MUHC, were selected to participate. An intensive one-week training session took place in November 2024 at the MUHC Simulation Centre, combining theoretical instruction with hands-on endoscopic training on models. Since then, over 100 patients have been treated by the trainees under supervision, with high level outcomes reflecting the high level of investment in this program. This innovative technique will facilitate the implementation of minimally invasive treatment for large precancerous lesions and early-stage cancers, significantly benefiting patients in Montreal and across Quebec and establishing the MUHC as an international leader in this field.
GENERAL INTERNAL MEDICINE
47 Clinician-Teachers
12 Clinician-Scientists
5 Clinician-Educators
3 Clinician-Investigators
3 Clinician-Administrators
The Division of General Internal Medicine leads research initiatives that cross-cut disciplines, offering an integrated, systems-based approach to critical health issues of our time. Our areas of research excellence include hypertension, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, bone health, infectious disease, obstetric medicine, and perioperative medicine. We lead focused efforts to support equity in relationship to gender, Indigenous health, and social class. Our methodologies encompass epidemiology and clinical trials, quality improvement, and translational biology (vascular imaging and function, genomics, metabolomics).
5 NOTABLE 2024 PUBLICATIONS
(Division or DOM primary member’s name in bold type)
GIM clinician scientists published key papers in high impact journals. The five that we showcase here include three published in JAMA Network Open and one in the European Heart Journal, both journals recognized as among the ‘top 60’ by the Department of Medicine. Two of the articles showcased are first authored by (very) early investigators.
Blackman A, Ukah UV, Platt RW, Meng X, Shapiro GD, Malhamé I, Ray JG, Lisonkova S, El-Chaâr D, Auger N, Dayan N. Severe Maternal Morbidity and Mental Health Hospitalizations or Emergency Department Visits. JAMA Netw Open. 2024 Apr 1;7(4):e247983. doi: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2024.7983.
Mussa J, Rahme E, Dahhou M, Nakhla M, Dasgupta K Incident Diabetes in Women With Patterns of Gestational Diabetes Occurrences Across 2 Pregnancies. JAMA Netw Open. 2024 May 1;7(5):e2410279. doi: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2024.10279. PMID: 38722629
Malhamé I, Nerenberg K, McLaughlin K, Grandi SM, Daskalopoulou SS, Metcalfe A. Hypertensive Disorders and Cardiovascular Severe Maternal Morbidity in the US, 2015-2019. JAMA Netw Open. 2024 Oct 1;7(10):e2436478. doi: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2024.36478. PMID: 39361284
Simard C, Poirier-Blanchette L, Rizzolo A, Cafaro T, Kerzner R, Mantzanis H, Koolian M; Canadian Venous Thromboembolism Research Network (CanVECTOR). Standardized direct oral anticoagulants prescription for treatment of acute venous thromboembolism in the emergency department: A quality improvement initiative. Thromb Res. 2024 Apr;236:68-73. doi: 10.1016/j.thromres.2024.02.015. Epub 2024 Feb 16. PMID: 38401355.
Iatan I, Akioyamen LE, Ruel I, Guerin A, Hales L, Coutinho T, Brunham LR, Genest J. Sex differences in treatment of familial hypercholesterolaemia: a meta-analysis. Eur Heart J. 2024 Sep 14;45(35):3231-3250. doi: 10.1093/eurheartj/ehae417. PMID: 38976372; PMCID: PMC11400737.
Dr. Suzanne Morin (MUHC)
Dr. Michelle Elizov (JGH)
Dr. Kaberi Dasgupta (McGill)
Dr. Gail Goldman (SMH)
EXCITING RESEARCH IN THE PIPELINE
Three grants NEWLY awarded to GIM researchers as Nominated Principal Investigators by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research are the following:
Project Title: early Prediction of preeclampsia using Urinary biomarkers anaLyseS in high-risk prEgnancies (PULSE-U)
Investigator: Dr. Stella S Daskalopoulou
Funding: CIHR — $1,231,652
Date: Awarded in the Fall 2024 competition
Project Title: Social Prescribing to Improve Adherence and Outcomes in Women with Heart Failure
Project Lead: Dr. Louise Pilote
Funding: CIHR — $600,000
Date: Awarded in the spring 2024 competition
Project Title: Dabigatran for the adjunctive treatment of Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia: the DABI-SNAP nested randomized controlled trial
Project Lead: Dr. Emily G McDonald
Funding: CIHR — $539,325
Date: Awarded in the spring 2024 competition
IMPACTFUL CLINICAL INNOVATION
Revamped Cardiovascular Prevention Center at the Jewish General Hospital
The clinical innovation that we showcase for 2024 is the GIM-led revamped Cardiovascular Prevention Center (CVPC) at the Jewish General Hospital. Pioneered by internationally recognized hypertension researcher
Dr. Ernesto Schffrin, the clinic mission and scope have been updated and expanded by GIM member Dr. Matthew Ades, who completed a vascular medicine fellowship with Dr. Sonia Anand at McMaster University. CVPC’s mission is to improve outcomes and equity for populations historically underserved in cardiovascular care.
Its interdisciplinary approach, spanning thrombosis, vascular surgery, and neurology, particularly benefits patients navigating multifaceted health needs or facing systemic barriers. It tackles secondary prevention in the context of peripheral artery disease, stroke, and polyvascular disease. CVPC is also developing an innovative collaboration with hematology to proactively monitor and mitigate cardiovascular complications associated with novel oncologic therapies in patients with leukemia and lymphoma. CVPC offers targeted primary prevention for select patients, including a rapid-access hypertension clinic designed to provide urgent evaluation and treatment for individuals presenting to the emergency department with severe uncontrolled hypertension, without access to ongoing care. By promoting continuity of care and timely implementation of goal-directed medical therapy, the clinic actively works to close treatment gaps — especially among marginalized and high-risk populations.
The clinic also serves as a teaching site, offering internal medicine trainees and fellows enhanced exposure to contemporary vascular medicine. Ongoing research and quality improvement initiatives further support the advancement of preventive strategies and the optimization of care delivery for patients with complex vascular disease. Through this multifaceted model, the CVPC contributes to both individualized patient care and broader system-level innovation in vascular health.
GERIATRIC MEDICINE
Dr. José Morais (McGill/MUHC)
Dr. Ruby Friedman (JGH)
Dr. Julia Chabot (SMH)
14 Clinician-Teachers
3 Clinician-Scientists
2 Scientists
1 Clinician-Administrator
5 NOTABLE 2024 PUBLICATIONS
(Division or DOM primary member’s name in bold type)
Mendo CW, Gaudreau P, Lefebvre G, Marrie RA, Potter BJ, Wister A, Wolfson C, Keezer MR, Sylvestre MP. The association between grip strength and carotid intima media thickness: A Mendelian randomization analysis of the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging. Ann Epidemiol. 2024 Jan;89:15-20. doi: 10.1016/j.annepidem.2023.12.001.
Dulac M, Hajj-Boutros G, Sonjak V, Faust A, Hussain SN, Chevalier S, Dionne I, Gouspillou G, Morais JA. A multimodal exercise countermeasure prevents the negative impact of head-down tilt bed rest on muscle volume and mitochondrial health in older adults. J Physiol. 2024 Jun 15. doi: 10.1113/JP285897.
Kirk B, Kuo CL, Liu P, Xiang M, Zanker J, Prokopidis K, Sim M, Fortinsky RH, Kuchel GA, Duque G. Diagnostic Power of Serum Creatinine/Cystatin C Ratio for Identifying Low MRI-Muscle Volume and Low Grip Strength: Data From 9 731 to 149 707 UK Biobank Older Adults. J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci. 2024 Dec 11;80(1):glae274. doi: 10.1093/gerona/glae274.
Sekhon H, Dickinson RA, Kimball JE, Cray HV, Alkhatib F, Preston A, Moore I, Trueba-Yepez AF, Fahed M, Vahia IV. Safety Considerations in the Use of Extended Reality Technologies for Mental Health with Older Adults. Am J Geriatr Psychiatry. 2024 May;32(5):648-651. doi: 10.1016/j.jagp.2024.01.010.
Godard-Sebillotte C, Navani S, Rochette L, Massamba V, Pelletier É, Kröger E, Vedel I. Dementia Incidence in Quebec Over 20 Years. JAMA Netw Open. 2024 Dec 2;7(12):e2447346. doi: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2024.47346.
EXCITING RESEARCH IN THE PIPELINE
Project Title: Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging (CLSA) Healthy Brains, Healthy Aging Initiative
Nominated Principal Investigator: P Raina
Co-Principal Investigators: C Wolfson, S Kirkland, C Balion, L Griffith, T Liu-Ambrose, E Smith, M Surette
Co-Investigators: D Hogan, V Menec, V Taler, R Bartha, S Duchesne, M Noseworthy, R Hoge, M Descoteaux, A MacKay, R Tam, A Lim, M Beauchamp, W McIlroy, M O’Connell, M Thompson, C Wu, P McNicholas, J Corbeil, B Cossette, A Costa
Funding: Weston Family Foundation — $12,240,322
Date: 2021-2028
Objectives of the Project: The CLSA has introduced brain imaging (MRI scans), stool sample collection and additional cognitive measures. These data are combined with existing CLSA measures of physical and cognitive health, medical, psychosocial, socioeconomic, environment, lifestyle, and biospecimens to critically advance fundamental knowledge regarding successful cognitive aging.
Project Title: Optimizing body composition analysis to investigate new treatments for tissue loss syndromes
Investigator: Dr. Gustavo Duque (PI)
Funding: Canadian Foundation for Innovation (CFI) — John R. Evans Leaders Fund — $120,000
Date: 2024-2025
Objectives of the Project: To study body composition of rodents for a better understanding of osteosarcopenia in older adults.
Project Title: Mindfulness based cognitive therapy vs. health enhancement program for late life depression
Investigators: Soham Rej (PI) and Sekhon H (Co-Investigator)
Funding: CIHR — $600,000
Date: 2021-2025
Objectives of the Project: Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) and Health Enhancement Program have shown a significant positive impact on reducing Late Life Depression (LLD). This is a multi-site blinded randomized controlled trial, comparing the effects of MBCT and of an active control, a health enhancement program, on depressive symptoms, executive functioning, and brain biomarkers of LLD, among several other exploratory outcomes.
IMPACTFUL CLINICAL INNOVATION
Age-Friendly Emergency Care at St. Mary’s Hospital
St. Mary’s Hospital in Montreal has implemented an age-friendly emergency room with an interdisciplinary geriatric team under the leadership of Dr. Julia Chabot. The project supported by the St. Mary’s Hospital Foundation provides rapid, comprehensive care for seniors aged 75 and older. This team, which includes geriatricians, nurses, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, social workers, and pharmacists, aims to prevent hospitalizations through referrals to community resources and integrates best practices in senior care. They also work with a multidisciplinary team approach to improve or maintain seniors’ autonomy and quality of life.
HEMATOLOGY
14 Clinician-Teachers
5 Clinician-Scientists
5 Clinician-Investigators
4 Clinician-Administrators
3 Scientists
2 Clinician-Educators
5 NOTABLE 2024 PUBLICATIONS
(Division or DOM primary member’s name in bold type)
Bienz M, Renaud C, Liu JR, Wong P, Pelletier P. Hepatitis E Virus in the United States and Canada: Is It Time to Consider Blood Donation Screening? Transfus Med Rev 2024 Jul;38(3):150835. doi: 10.1016/j.tmrv.2024.150835. PMID: 39059853.
Kaedbey R, Reece D, Venner CP, McCurdy A, Su J, Chu M, Louzada M, Jimenez-Zepeda VH, Mian H, Song K, Sebag M, Stakiw J, White D, Reiman A, Aslam M, Kotb R, Bergstrom D, Gul E, LeBlanc R. Long-term follow-up of outcomes including progression-free survival 2 in patients with transplant-ineligible multiple myeloma in the real-world practice: A multi-institutional report from the Canadian Myeloma Research Group (CMRG) database. EJHaem. 2024 Apr 29;5(3):474-484. doi: 10.1002/ jha2.894. PMID: 38895063; PMCID: PMC11182392.
Korsos V, Ali A, Malagon T, Khosrow-Khavar F, Thomas D, Sirhan S, Davison K, Assouline S, Cassis C. End of life in haematology: quality of life predictors - retrospective cohort study. BMJ Support Palliat Care. 2024 Dec 19;14(e3):e2708-e2718. doi: 10.1136/spcare-2023-004218. PMID: 37068924.
Benoit A, Abraham MJ, Li S, Kim J, Estrada-Tejedor R, Bakadlag R, Subramaniam N, Makhani K, Guilbert C, Tu R, Salaciak M, Klein KO, Coyle KM, Hilton LK, Santiago R, Dmitrienko S, Assouline S, Morin RD, Del Rincon SV, Johnson NA, Mann KK. STAT6 mutations enriched at diffuse large B-cell lymphoma relapse reshape the tumor microenvironment. Int J Hematol. 2024 Mar;119(3):275290. doi: 10.1007/s12185-023-03692-x. Epub 2024 Jan 29. PMID: 38285120; PMCID: PMC10920476.
Jankovic M, Poon WWL, Gonzales-Losada C, Vazquez GG, Sharif-Askari B, Ding Y, Craplet-Desombre C, Ilie A, Shi J, Wang Y, Jayavelu AK, Orthwein A, Mercier FÉ. The E3 ubiquitin ligase Herc1 modulates the response to nucleoside analogs in acute myeloid leukemia. Blood Adv. 2024 Oct 22;8(20):5315-5329. doi: 10.1182/bloodadvances.2023011540. PMID: 39093953; PMCID: PMC11497402.
Dr. Chantal Séguin (MUHC)
Dr. Sarit Assouline (JGH)
Dr. Nathalie Johnson (McGill)
Dr. Adrian Langleben (SMH)
Brenner BG, Ibanescu RI, Oliveira M, Margaillan G, Lebouché B, Thomas R, Baril JG, Lorgeoux RP, Roger M, Routy JP. The Montreal Primary Hiv Infection Phi Cohort Study Group. Phylogenetic Network Analyses Reveal the Influence of Transmission Clustering on the Spread of HIV Drug Resistance in Quebec from 2002 to 2022. Viruses. 2024 Jul 31;16(8):1230. doi: 10.3390/ v16081230. PMID: 39205204; PMCID: PMC11359670.
Royston L, Jary A, Berini CA, Mabanga T, Lin J, Pagliuzza A, Chomont N, Litvinov IV, Calmy A, Leducq V, Calvez V, Marcelin AG, Isnard S, Routy JP. Similar Viral and Immune Characteristics of Kaposi Sarcoma in ART-treated People Living With HIV and Older Patients With Classic Kaposi Sarcoma. Open Forum Infect Dis. 2024 Jul 12;11(8):ofae404. doi: 10.1093/ofid/ofae404. PMID: 39100526; PMCID: PMC11295207.
Bu S, Royston L, Mabanga T, Berini CA, Tremblay C, Lebouché B, Cox J, Costiniuk CT, Durand M, Isnard S, Routy JP. Proteomics validate circulating GDF-15 as an independent biomarker for COVID-19 severity. Front Immunol. 2024 Apr 15;15:1377126. doi: 10.3389/ fimmu.2024.1377126. PMID: 38686386; PMCID: PMC11057458.
Mehraj V, Chen J, Routy JP. Effects of statins beyond lipid-lowering agents in ART-treated HIV infection. Front Immunol. 2024 Apr 9;15:1339338. doi: 10.3389/ fimmu.2024.1339338. PMID: 38655259; PMCID: PMC11035727.
EXCITING RESEARCH IN THE PIPELINE
Project Title: ACBP as a target for immunometabolic reprogramming in people living with HIV
Investigator: Dr. Jean-Pierre Routy (PI)
Funding: CIHR — $738,224
Date : 2024-2028
During HIV infection, virus specific CD4 and CD8 T-cell become hypofunctional due to persistence of viral antigens, impairing the development of long-term antigen-independent memory. Enhancing CD8 T-cell function through cellular metabolic plasticity is one strategy under investigation. The acyl CoA binding protein (ACBP) is a ubiquitous protein considered as an autophagy checkpoint with two opposite functions depending on its cellular localization: 1) intracellular ACBP promotes autophagy and oxidative phosphorylation, 2) conversely, when secreted, extracellular ACBP inhibits autophagy. We observed high plasma ACBP levels in treated patients living with HIV (PLWH) compared to controls. We hypothesize that circulating ACBP impairs anti-HIV T-cell function through modification of cellular metabolism. The aims of the study are to 1) decipher factors associated with elevated plasma ACBP in PLWH. We will assess the influence of demographic factors, co-infections with CMV or EBV, and time to and on ART, current and past antiretroviral therapy, 2) identify the function of circulating ACBP on autophagy and immune function and 3) determine the role of ACBP on HIV RNA and protein production. We will assess the influence of extracellular and intracellular ACBP on HIV infectivity, replication, and RNA and protein production, including spontaneous HIV expression on ART, ex vivo and in vitro, using PCR, western blots and HIV flow.
Hematology (cont’d)
Project Title: Establishing Therapeutic Cord Blood derived NK cells for hard-to-treat cancers through Omics-based selection and pharmacological activators
Investigators: Drs. Michel Tremblay, David Langlais and Pierre Laneuville
Funding: Genome Applications Partnership Program (GAPP) — Funding Genome Canada, Genome Québec, MUHC Foundation — $5,907,187
Date: 2024-2027
Cancer immunotherapies, such as modified T-cells with Chimeric Antigen Receptors (CAR T), can elicit strong responses and even cure some blood cancers such as acute myeloid leukemia (AML). However, the drawbacks of CAR-T therapies include poorer responses against solid tumours, autologous cell requirements, high manufacturing costs, and potentially fatal toxicities. These limitations can be overcome with natural killer (NK) cells. These innate immune cells can efficiently kill cancer cells, allowing the development of non genetically modified NK cells to treat both blood and solid tumour cancers. The anti-tumour activity and response to stimulation of primary cord blood-derived NKs (CB-NK) are superior to those of NK cell lines and are being used in clinical trials in the U.S. and China. This project will use genomics solutions to improve the clinical management of hardto-treat cancers like AML through CB-NK cell therapy. It will establish a comprehensive resource for “off-the-shelf” NK cell immunotherapy. Its unique methodologies will
enable the processing, storage and recovery of CB-NK cells; optimisation and simplification of their clinical use; and national distribution of the therapeutic CB-NK cell bank to treat a larger cohort of cancer patients. The acceleration of CB-NK cell therapies will place Canada at the forefront of this fast moving and strategically important field. Canadian patients will benefit from safer, more effective immunotherapies with the potential to tackle diverse hard-to-treat cancers, while their “off-the-shelf” nature will significantly lower healthcare costs. Economic benefits include increased revenues associated with licensing and development of commercial products, as well as economic growth and job creation due to innovation in the cell therapy sector, where the global market is growing rapidly.
Project Title: DNA Nanoparticles for Targeted Therapy Against Acute Myeloid Leukemia
Investigators: Drs. Francois Mercier and Hanadi Sleiman
Funding: University D2R Foundation Award — $160,000
Date: 2024-2026
Project Title: Understanding the role of ZFP36L2 as a post -transcriptional regulator of inflammation-driven hematopoiesis
Investigator: Dr. Francois Mercier
Funding: Richard & Edith Strauss Foundation — $200,000
Date: 2024-2026
The goal of the interdisciplinary D2R project is to develop nucleic acid therapeutics (NATs) for acute myeloid leukemia (AML). This collaboration brings together the expertise of Dr. Hanadi Sleiman in nucleic acid delivery and polymer chemistry and Dr. Mercier in AML treatment, preclinical models of AML, and in vivo screening studies. It is proposed that novel classes of NATs with high activity against tumours in vivo and low toxicity can be leveraged to efficiently target essential genes in AML cells in vivo as next-generation anti-leukemic therapies. In addition, the laboratory of Dr. Mercier has identified the RNA-binding protein ZFP36L2 as a regulator of hematopoietic differentiation and is investigating its regulatory function in the context of inflammation and leukemia.
IMPACTFUL CLINICAL INNOVATION
Opening of the Hemato-Onco Day Hospital
The inauguration of the MUHC Stem Cell Transplant Program — Ambulatory Model, was launched on April 30th, 2024. We had our first patient to receive an autologous Stem Cell Transplant without the need for hospitalization. This was made possible by the exceptional collaboration of different departments including nursing, medical, oncology, pharmacy, Stem Cell Transplant lab, Stem Cell Transplant Quality Assurance, OACIS, Medical Archives and the support from senior leadership. This is an exciting new development in our Cancer Care Mission at the MUHC. We are looking into providing this care and service option to more patients and for other treatment indications, an initiative meeting the objective of developing alternatives to hospitalization.
INFECTIOUS DISEASES
Dr. Marcel Behr (McGill/MUHC)
18 Clinician-Teachers
11 Scientists
8 Clinician-Scientists
4 Clinician-Investigators
2 Clinician-Administrators
1 Clinician-Educator
5 NOTABLE 2024 PUBLICATIONS
(Division or DOM primary member’s name in bold type)
Alpuche-Lazcano SP, Scarborough RJ, Gatignol A. MicroRNAs and long non-coding RNAs during transcriptional regulation and latency of HIV and HTLV. Retrovirology 2024; 21(1):5. doi: 10.1186/s12977-024-00637-y.
Danchuk SN, Solomon OE, Kohn TA, Niemann S, Soolingen DV, van Ingen J, Michael JS, Behr MA. Challenging the gold standard: critical limitations in clinical detection of drug-resistant tuberculosis. Thorax. 2024 Jun 14;79(7):670-675.
Gabriel Guajardo-Contreras, Ana Luiza Abdalla, Alex Chen, Meijuan Niu, Erwan Beauchamp6, Luc G. Berthiaume, Alan W. Cochrane, Andrew J. Mouland. 2024. N-myristoylation-dependent hijacking of late endosomes/ lysosomes to drive HIV-1 assembly at virus-containing compartments in macrophages. Journal of Cell Science Nov 15;137(22):jcs263588. doi: 10.1242/jcs.263588.
Kronfli N, Bromberg DJ, Wolff H, Montanari L, Vasyliev S, Altice FL. Improving implementation of needle and syringe programmes to expand, scale up, and sustain evidence-based prevention interventions for HIV and hepatitis C in prisons. Lancet Public Health. 2025 Jan;10(1):e63-e70. doi: 10.1016/S2468-2667(24)00275-5.
McDonald EG, Afshar A, Assiri B, Boyles T, Hsu JM, Khuong N, Prosty C, So M, Sohani ZN, Butler-Laporte G, Lee TC. Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia in people living with HIV: a review. Clin Microbiol Rev. 2024 Mar 14;37(1):e0010122. doi: 10.1128/cmr.00101-22.
EXCITING RESEARCH IN THE PIPELINE
Project Title: Enhancing uptake of needle and syringe programs in Canadian federal prisons
Project Lead: Dr. Nadine Kronfli
Funding: CIHR — $803,250
Prison-based needle and syringe programs are evidence-based interventions that reduce the transmission of bloodborne viruses such as HIV and hepatitis C. Canada is one of only 11 countries worldwide with these programs in federal prisons; however, uptake remains very low among people who inject drugs in prison.
To improve coverage, Dr. Nadine Kronfli will conduct a CIHR funded 5-year, stepped-wedge, type II implementation trial in nine federal prisons across Canada, involving
Dr. Karl Weiss (JGH)
Dr. Joe Dylewski (SMH)
healthcare workers, correctional officers, and people in prison to ensure the program’s sustainability. This study will help inform expansion of prison-based needle and syringe programs to the remaining prisons in Canada, essential for the ultimate elimination of HIV and hepatitis C in Canada.
IMPACTFUL CLINICAL INNOVATION
Cystic echinococcosis is an invasive parasitic disease caused by members of the larval stages Echinococcus granulosus sensu lato. This pathogen is thought to be emerging within its wild hosts’ range across Canada and locally acquired infections are increasingly seen at the J.D. MacLean Centre for Tropical and Geographic Medicine (TDC). The TDC is the largest referral centre in North America focused on human zoonotic parasitoses. While some patients can be treated medically, the mainstay of therapy in Canada has been surgical excision followed by long term anti-parasitic drugs.
Percutaneous techniques have emerged as safe and non-inferior techniques compared to surgery for selected patients, with fewer complications and shorter hospitalizations in experienced centers. However, its use in Canada is limited by the need for concerted multidisciplinary expertise, given that contraindications and procedural variants depend on a clear understanding of the stage of disease and the management of life-threatening complications.
Given the increasing number of patients being seen at the MUHC, the centre for Tropical and Geographic Medicine (Drs. Cédric Yansouni and Leire Balerdi-Sarasola) has collaborated with the Department of Diagnostic Radiology (Drs. Louis-Martin Boucher and David Valenti) to develop a multidisciplinary protocol for a suite of percutaneous treatment approaches for cystic echinococcus patients. So far, 3 patients have benefitted from the procedure, while foregoing the need for surgical partial hepatectomy. This adds to the growing experience of complex parasitic disease management at the MUHC, led by the TDC.
MEDICAL BIOCHEMISTRY
David Blank
7 Clinician-Teachers
2 Clinician-Scientists
2 Scientists
1 Clinician-Investigator
5 NOTABLE 2024 PUBLICATIONS
(Division or DOM primary member’s name in bold type)
Gruneisen E, Kremer R, Duque G. Fat as a Friend or Foe of the Bone. Curr Osteoporos Rep. 2024 Apr;22(2):245256. doi: 10.1007/s11914-024-00864-4. Epub 2024 Feb 28. PMID: 38416274.
Quispialaya KM, Therriault J, Aliaga A, Tissot C, Servaes S, Rahmouni N, Karikari TK, Benedet AL, Ashton NJ, Macedo AC, Lussier FZ, Stevenson J, Wang YT, Arias JF, Hosseini A, Matsudaira T, Jean-Claude B, Gilfix BM, Zimmer ER, Soucy JP, Pascoal TA, Gauthier S, Zetterberg H, Blennow K, Rosa-Neto P. Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative. Plasma phosphorylated tau181 outperforms [18F] fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography in the identification of early Alzheimer disease. Eur J Neurol. 2024 Dec;31(12):e16255. doi: 10.1111/ ene.16255. Epub 2024 Oct 24. PMID: 39447157; PMCID: PMC11555153.
Guay SP, Gagnon E, Paquette M, Thériault S, Arsenault BJ, Baass A. Pancreatitis polygenic risk score is independently associated with all-cause acute pancreatitis risk in the UK Biobank. J Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2024 Dec;39(12):2639-2644. doi: 10.1111/jgh.16759. Epub 2024 Oct 10. PMID: 39385584.
Guay SP, Paquette M, Taschereau A, Girard L, Desgagné V, Bouchard L, Bernard S, Baass A. Acute pancreatitis risk in multifactorial chylomicronemia syndrome depends on the molecular cause of severe hypertriglyceridemia. Atherosclerosis. 2024 May;392:117489. doi: 10.1016/j.atherosclerosis.2024.117489. Epub 2024 Feb 27. PMID: 38448342.
Kavsak PA, Mills NL, Clark L, Ko DT, Sharif S, ChenTournoux A, Friedman SM, Belley-Cote EP, Worster A, Cox J, Thiruganasambandamoorthy V, Lou A, Taher J, Scheuermeyer F, McCudden C, Abramson BL, Eintracht S, Shea JL, Yip PM, Huang Y, Chen M, Tsui AKY, Thorlacius L, Aakre KM, Raizman JE, Fung AWS, Humphries KH, Arnoldo S, Bhayana V, Djiana R, Beriault DR, St-Cyr J, Booth RA, Blank DW, Sivilotti MLA, Jaffe AS. Assay Precision and Risk of Misclassification at Rule-Out Cutoffs for High-Sensitivity Cardiac Troponin. Can J Cardiol. 2024 Nov;40(11):2102-2105. doi: 10.1016/j.cjca.2024.05.007. Epub 2024 May 13. PMID: 38750895.
Dr. Elizabeth MacNamara (JGH)
Dr.
(MUHC)
EXCITING RESEARCH IN THE PIPELINE
Project Title: Co-targeting parathyroid-hormone related protein (PTHrP) signaling and osteoclast activation to counter breast cancer metastasis to bone
Principal Applicant: Dr. Richard Kremer
Funding: CIHR
Date: 2023-2028
Project Title: A Multicenter, Cross-sectional Study to Characterize the Distribution of Lipoprotein(a) Levels Among Patients With Documented History of Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease (ASCVD)
Investigator: Dr. Alexis Baass (PI)
Funding: Amgen (USA)
Date: 2022-2024
Project Title: A Randomized, Double-blind, Placebocontrolled, Phase 3 Study of Olezarsen (ISIS 678354) in Patients with Hypertriglyceridemia and Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease
Investigator: Dr. Alexis Baass (PI)
Funding: Ionis Pharmaceuticals INC
Date: 2023-2024
IMPACTFUL CLINICAL INNOVATION
Revolutionary Liquid Biopsy Platform
Co-led by Dr. Richard Kremer and Dr. Catalin Mihalcioiu
Dr. Richard Kremer with his colleague Dr. Catalin Mihalcioiu established a revolutionary new Liquid Biopsy Platform using a microfluidic technology to capture circulating tumor cells (CTCs) from the blood circulation of melanoma patients as to examine cancer progression in real time.
MEDICAL ONCOLOGY
Dr. Nathaniel Bouganim
10 Scientists
3 Clinician-Teachers
5 NOTABLE 2024 PUBLICATIONS
(Division or DOM primary member’s name in bold type)
Sadeghi N, Mascarella M, Bouganim N. Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy and Transoral Robotic Surgery for Oropharynx Cancer and Quality of Life-Reply. JAMA Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2024 Jun 1;150(6):527-528. doi: 10.1001/jamaoto.2024.0480. PMID: 38602686.
Noujaim J, Gupta AA, Holloway CL, Saleh R, Srikanthan A, Lemieux C, Soroka HP, Tibout P, Turcotte R, Feng X, Abdul Razak AR, Costa P. Real-word experience of pazopanib and sorafenib in patients with desmoid tumors: A CanSaRCC multi-center study. Eur J Cancer. 2024 Jul;205:114119. doi: 10.1016/j.ejca.2024.114119. Epub 2024 May 14. Erratum in: Eur J Cancer. 2024 Sep;208:114221. doi: 10.1016/j.ejca.2024.114221. PMID: 38759389.
Bardia A, Hu X, Dent R, Yonemori K, Barrios CH, O’Shaughnessy JA, Wildiers H, Pierga JY, Zhang Q, Saura C, Biganzoli L, Sohn J, Im SA, Lévy C, Jacot W, Begbie N, Ke J, Asselah J, Ke J, Patel G, Curigliano G. DESTINY-Breast06 Trial Investigators. Trastuzumab Deruxtecan after Endocrine Therapy in Metastatic Breast Cancer. N Engl J Med. 2024 Dec 5;391(22):2110-2122. doi: 10.1056/ NEJMoa2407086.
Paz-Ares LG, Juan-Vidal O, Mountzios GS, Felip E, Reinmuth N, de Marinis F, Girard N, Patel VM, Takahama T, Owen SP, Reznick DM, Badin FB, Cicin I, Mekan S, Patel R, Zhang E, Karumanchi D, Garassino MC. Sacituzumab Govitecan Versus Docetaxel for Previously Treated Advanced or Metastatic Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer: The Randomized, Open-Label Phase III EVOKE-01 Study. J Clin Oncol. 2024 Aug 20;42(24):2860-2872. doi: 10.1200/ JCO.24.00733. Epub 2024 May 31. PMID: 38843511; PMCID: PMC11328920.
Yaeger R, McKean MA, Haq R, Beck JT, Taylor MH, Cohen JE, Bowles DW, Gadgeel SM, Mihalcioiu C, Papadopoulos KP, Diamond EL, Sturtz KB, Feng G, Drescher SK, Reddy MB, Sengupta B, Maity AK, Brown SA, Singh A, Brown EN, Baer BR, Wong J, Mou TC, Wu WI, Kahn DR, Gadal S, Rosen N, Gaudino JJ, Lee PA, Hartley DP, Rothenberg SM. A Next-Generation BRAF Inhibitor Overcomes Resistance to BRAF Inhibition in Patients with BRAF-Mutant Cancers Using Pharmacokinetics-Informed Dose Escalation. Cancer Discov. 2024 Sep 4;14(9):1599-1611. doi: 10.1158/2159-8290.CD-24-0024. PMID: 38691346; PMCID: PMC11372368.
EXCITING RESEARCH IN THE PIPELINE
Project Title: Platform for the enrichment of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) for characterization and sensitivity to anti-cancer drugs
Investigators: Drs. Richard Kremer (PI) and Catalin Mihalcioiu (CI)
Funding: Consortium québécois sur la découverte du médicament (CQDM) — $299,392
Dr. Gerry Batist (JGH)
Dr. Adrian Langleben (SMH)
(MUHC)
Richard Kremer with his colleague Catalin Mihalcioiu established a revolutionary new Liquid Biopsy Platform using a microfluidic technology to capture circulating tumor cells (CTCs) from the blood circulation of melanoma patients as to examine cancer progression in real time.
The creation of a Quebec consortium for Sarcoma research (SarcQ). McGill Sarcoma program will now lead and consolidate all adult clinical trials from McGill University Health Center and Hospital Maisonneuve Rosemont. These trials are now conducted via the CIM Oncology platform. The consolidation of these two hospital clinical trial programs into a single center has increased patient enrollment and advanced sarcoma research, making the McGill Sarcoma program competitive internationally.
McGill University Health Center phase 1 research program: After 2 full year of operation, it has grown exponentially, testing first-in-human therapies. It has already shown its ability to compete and outperform other Quebec phase 1 units and has started working with researchers to bring therapies from bench to bedside.
Development and creation of a new research program focusing on radioligand therapies in solid tumors. In partnership with the department of Nuclear Medicine these therapies are now available for prostate cancer and are under investigation for other solid tumors.
Cellular therapies in solid cancers such as CART will be starting in the upcoming year. This will place McGill as a leader in CART for Solid tumors in Quebec.
IMPACTFUL CLINICAL INNOVATION
Advancing Clinical Trials with MEDCT
Increasing success in the oncology clinical trial program has led to the search and deployment of a clinical trial management software to the phase 1 unit and more recently phase 2/3 unit. This system, “MEDCT,” has been capable of providing 20/20 vision in trial standing, patient recruitment, as well as giving real-time key performance indexes. We hope to extend the deployment of MEDCT to the Rossy Cancer Network (MUHC, JGH and SMH).
Dr. Rita Suri (McGill/MUHC)
NEPHROLOGY
20 Clinician-Teachers
7 Clinician-Scientists
1 Scientist
5 NOTABLE 2024 PUBLICATIONS (Division or DOM primary member’s name in bold type)
Sharma R, Kalot R, Levin Y, Babayeva S, Kachurina N, Chung CF, Liu KJ, Bouchard M, Torban E. The CPLANE protein Fuzzy regulates ciliogenesis by suppressing actin polymerization at the base of the primary cilium via p190A RhoGAP. Development. 2024 Mar 15;151(6):dev202322. doi: 10.1242/dev.202322. Epub 2024 Mar 28. PMID: 38546045; PMCID: PMC11006408.
Cybulsky AV, Papillon J, Guillemette J, Navarro-Betancourt JR, Chung CF, Iwawaki T, Fantus IG. Deletion of IRE1α in podocytes exacerbates diabetic nephropathy in mice. Sci Rep. 2024 May 22;14(1):11718. doi: 10.1038/ s41598-024-62599-7. PMID: 38778209; PMCID: PMC11111796.
Sapir-Pichhadze R, Laprise C, Beauchamp ME, Kaouache M, Zhang X, Della Vecchia A, Azoulay L, Franco EL, Abrahamowicz M, Nicolau B. Immunosuppression and cancer risk in kidney transplant recipients: A retrospective cohort study. Int J Cancer. 2024 Jun 15;154(12):20432053. doi: 10.1002/ijc.34875. Epub 2024 Feb 12. PMID: 38345158.
Sandal S, Ethier I, Onu U, Fung W, Bajpai D, Bilchut WH, Bagasha P, De Chiara L, Hafiz E, Smyth B, Kelly D, Pippias M, Jha V. Climate Change, Kidney Health, and Environmentally Sustainable Kidney Care: A Multinational Survey of Health Care Professionals. J Am Soc Nephrol. 2024 Aug 1;35(8):1084-1094. doi: 10.1681/ ASN.0000000000000402. Epub 2024 May 20. PMID: 38768364; PMCID: PMC11377800.
Mavrakanas TA, Marsot A, Tsirella E, Rios N, Gritsas A, Suri RS. Canagliflozin Pharmacokinetics at Steady State in Patients on Maintenance Hemodialysis. Kidney Int Rep. 2024 Aug 8;9(10):3049-3052. doi: 10.1016/j.ekir.2024.07.038. PMID: 39430196; PMCID: PMC11489451.
Laurier N, Robert JT, Tom A, McKinnon J, Filteau N, Horowitz L, Vasilevsky M, Weber C, Podymow T, Cybulsky AV, Suri RS, Trinh E. Optimizing use of an electronic medical record system for quality improvement initiatives in hemodialysis: Review of a single center experience. Hemodial Int. 2025 Jan;29(1):74-82. doi: 10.1111/hdi.13178. Epub 2024 Oct 21. PMID: 39434537; PMCID: PMC11729301.
Dr. Mark Lipman (JGH)
Dr. Johana Eid (SMH)
EXCITING RESEARCH IN THE PIPELINE
Project Title: Resilient kidney care systems: reducing vulnerability to climate change and disasters in Canada
Investigators: Drs. Shaifali Sandal (PI), Laura Horowitz (CI), Ratna Samanta (CI) and Catherine Weber (CI)
Funding: Health Canada — $750,000
Date: 2024-2028
Project Title: Immunogenicity and safety of COVID-19 vaccine co-administration and interval in immunocompromised hosts (CO2I2 Trial)
Principal Investigators: Drs. Ruth Sapir-Pichhadze, Rita Suri, Leanne Stalker, Ines Colmegna and Cecilia Costiniuk
Funding: CIHR — $5,222,039
Date: 2024-2027
Project Title: A prospective interventional study to prevent allosensitization in patients who have failed a first kidney transplant
Principal Investigators: Drs. John S Gill, Rita Suri and James Lan
Funding: CIHR — $539,326
Date: 2024-2027
IMPACTFUL CLINICAL INNOVATION
Optimizing use of guideline directed therapy in diabetic patients with cardiorenal syndromes: the McGill University Center Synchronous Nephro-Cardio-Endo Clinic
Co-led by Drs. Thomas Mavrakanas (Nephrology), Abhinav Sharma (Cardiology) and Michael Tsoukas (Endocrinology & Metabolism)
Excellence in Polycystic Kidney Disease Care: The Quebec PKD Network
Led by Dr. Ahsan Alam (Nephrology)
Improving the Diagnostic Accuracy of Rejection in Kidney Transplants
Led by Dr. Ruth Sapir-Pichhadze (Nephrology) and collaborators
Improving the Quality, Safety, and Costs of Dialysis Care at the MUHC
Led by the MUHC dialysis leadership team: Drs. Rita Suri, Emilie Trinh, Murray Vasilevsky, Catherine Weber, Andrey Cybulsky, Ms. Myriam Menard, Ms. Vicki Tan, Ms. Jerrica McKinnon, Ms. Marie-Eve Dagneault and Mr. Alexander Tom
PHYSIATRY / REHAB SERVICE
Dr. Mohan Radhakrishna (McGill/MUHC)
3 Clinician-Teachers
5 NOTABLE 2024 PUBLICATIONS
(Division or DOM primary member’s name in bold type)
Mazerolle M, Kimoff RJ, Khadadah S, Duquette P, Jobin V, Lapierre Y, Benedetti A, Majetic K, Robinson A, Roger E, Bar-Or A, Kaminska M, Leonard G, Trojan DA. Long term effects of continuous positive airway pressure treatment of obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome in multiple sclerosis patients. Mult Scler Relat Disord. 2024 Jan;81:105144. doi:10.1016/j.msard.2023.105144. Epub 2023 Nov 20. PMID: 38007963.
Gagnon C, Trépanier L, Denault S, Laguë-Beauvais M, Saluja R, Massad J, Abouassaly M, de Guise E. Pre-injury psychiatric history, subacute symptoms and personality traits predict social reintegration at 3-month post-mild traumatic brain injury. Brain Inj. 2024 Nov 9;38(13):10751083. doi: 10.1080/02699052.2024.2373919. Epub 2024 Jul 17. PMID: 39016341.
Ben Letaifa R, Klaylat T, Tarchala M, Gao C, Schneider P, Rosenzweig DH, Martineau PA, Gawri R. Osteoimmunology: An Overview of the Interplay of the Immune System and the Bone Tissue in Fracture Healing. Surgeries. 2024; 5(2):402-414. https://doi.org/10.3390/surgeries5020033
Aita R, Unnithan G, Klaylat T, Petruccelli JA, St-Jean G, Radhakrishna M, Gawri R, Gao C. A Novel Mouse Model of Polytrauma with Spinal Cord Injury–Associated Heterotopic Ossification. European Cells & Materials. 2024 Mar; 47: 73-90. doi: 10.22203/eCM.v047a06
Madani SP, Kremer R, Grunbaum A, Bagmar S, Benedetti A, Trojan DA. Bone biomarkers in post-polio clinic patients. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne). 2025 Jun 6;16:1568981. doi: 10.3389/fendo.2025.1568981. PMID: 40547530; PMCID: PMC12178851.
EXCITING RESEARCH IN THE PIPELINE
Project Title: Effect of bone modulating therapeutic agents on frailty and fracture risk in polio survivors with severe osteoporosis: a proposed mechanism and potential therapy to counter chronic inflammation and bone and muscle ageing in the post-poliomyelitis syndrome
Investigators: Drs. Amichai Grunbaum (PI), Richard Kremer (CI) and Christopher Rudd (CI)
Funding: Canadian Frailty Network — $50,000
Date: 2025 - Present
Project: Polio and neuromuscular disease related research
Investigator: Dr. Daria Trojan (PI)
Funding: The Robert Lassner Research Fund — $100,666.66 in 2024
Date: 2024 - Present
Project: NMD4C: the neuromuscular network for Canada
Investigators: Dr. Hanns Lochmüller with the Canadian Neuromuscular Network investigators including Dr. Daria Trojan (Co-Applicant)
Funding: Canadian Institutes of Health Research and Muscular Dystrophy Canada — $400,000 per year for 5 years ($200,000 per year from each of the two agencies)
Date: 2023-2028
The funds provide support for work in neuromuscular disease across three pillars: preclinical science, clinical research, and clinical practice.
Project: Polio related research and education
Investigator: Dr. Daria Trojan
Funding: Polio Quebec Association — $3000-$4000 per year
Date: 1999 - Present
IMPACTFUL CLINICAL INNOVATION
Developing a Traumatic Brain Injury Care Pathway for Domestic Violence Survivors
Led by Dr. Jennifer Massad
Were you aware that victims of domestic violence can end up in shelters with sequelae of traumatic brain injuries? Dr. Jennifer Massad as part of the Traumatic Brain Injury team is creating a pathway to evaluate and treat victims of domestic violence for traumatic brain injuries (concussions).
RESPIRATORY MEDICINE
Dr. Basil Petrof
26 Clinician-Teachers
15 Clinician-Scientists
11 Scientists
4 Clinician-Investigators
2 Clinician-Educators
1 Clinician-Administrator
5 NOTABLE 2024 PUBLICATIONS
(Division or DOM primary member’s name in bold type)
Debban CL, Ambalavanan A, Ghosh A, Li Z, Buschur KL, Ma Y, George E, Pistenmaa C, Bertoni AG, Oelsner EC, Michos ED, Moraes TJ, Jacobs DR Jr, Christenson S, Bhatt SP, Kaner RJ, Simons E, Turvey SE, Vameghestahbanati M, Engert JC, Kirby M, Bourbeau J, Tan WC, Gabriel SB, Gupta N, Woodruff PG, Subbarao P, Ortega VE, Bleecker ER, Meyers DA, Rich SS, Hoffman EA, Barr RG, Cho MH, Bossé Y, Duan Q, Manichaikul A, Smith BM. Dysanapsis Genetic Risk Predicts Lung Function Across the Lifespan. Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 2024 Dec 15;210(12):1421-1431. doi: 10.1164/rccm.202401-0011OC. PMID: 38935874; PMCID: PMC11716030.
Dr. Ben Smith and his team looked at the DNA of nearly 12,000 adults to find genetic differences linked to dysanapsis. They found 21 key genetic signals, including changes in genes involved in lung development. They also created a “genetic risk score” based on these signals. When they tested this score in children and adults, they found that those with higher risk scores had worse lung function, even as early as age 5. This suggests that the way our lungs and airways grow can affect our breathing throughout life and may help explain why some people develop COPD.
Pankovitch S, Frohlich M, AlOthman B, Marciniuk J, Bernier J, Paul-Emile D, Bourbeau J, Ross BA. Peak Inspiratory Flow and Inhaler Prescription Strategies in a Specialized COPD Clinical Program: A Real-World Observational Study. Chest. 2025 Mar;167(3):736-745.
doi: 10.1016/j.chest.2024.09.031. Epub 2024 Oct 9. PMID: 39384100; PMCID: PMC11882739.
People with COPD use inhalers to manage their condition; however, these inhalers require a certain amount of inhalation strength (peak inspiratory flow) to deliver medication properly. Dr. Ross and his team found that nearly 1 in 3 patients had a suboptimal peak inspiratory flow, meaning they couldn’t breathe in strongly enough for the inhalers to work effectively. People most at risk were women, those with advanced COPD, and those who were underweight. Overall, the study supports using simple, tailored inhaler strategies based on individual peak inspiratory flow levels to improve treatment effectiveness.
Dr. Ronald Olivenstein (MUHC)
Dr. Jason Agulnik (JGH)
(McGill)
Dr. Harold Zackon (SMH)
Malet K, Faure E, Adam D, Donner J, Liu L, Pilon SJ, Fraser R, Jorth P, Newman DK, Brochiero E, Rousseau S, Nguyen D. Intracellular Pseudomonas aeruginosa within the Airway Epithelium of Cystic Fibrosis Lung Tissues. Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 2024 Jun 15;209(12):14531462. doi: 10.1164/rccm.202308-1451OC. PMID: 38324627.
Study by Dr. Dao Nguyen investigates a potential overlooked source of infection in the lungs of cystic fibrosis patients: intracellular Pseudomonas aeruginosa, a bacteria traditionally considered to be an extracellular pathogen in CF. Their findings suggest that the bacteria might persist intracellularly and could be a hidden reservoir for chronic infections. These insights could lead to new treatment strategies that target both the extracellular and intracellular presence of P. aeruginosa in CF patients.
Ruslami R, Fregonese F, Apriani L, Barss L, Bedingfield N, Chiang V, Cook VJ, Fisher D, Flores E, Fox GJ, Johnston J, Lim RK, Long R, Paulsen C, Nguyen TA, Nhung NV, Gibson D, Valiquette C, Benedetti A, Menzies D
High-dose, short-duration versus standard rifampicin for tuberculosis preventive treatment: a partially blinded, three-arm, non-inferiority, randomised, controlled trial.
Lancet Respir Med. 2024 Mar 26:S2213-2600(24)000766. doi: 10.1016/S2213-2600(24)00076-6. PMID: 38552659.
Tuberculosis (TB) remains one of the world’s deadliest infectious diseases. Many people carry the bacteria without symptoms, but about 1 in 10 will develop active TB in their lifetime. To prevent this, people at risk are offered tuberculosis preventive treatment. However, the current regimens are often long, which makes it hard for people to finish treatment. This international study tested whether shorter, higher-dose rifampicin regimens are safe and easier to complete. They found the standard 4-month regimen had the highest completion rate and a good safety profile, making it the most reliable option.
Chronopoulos J, Pernet E, Tran KA, McGovern TK, Morozan A, Wang S, Tsai O, Makita K, Divangahi M, Martin JG. Pregnancy enhances antiviral immunity independent of type I IFN but dependent on IL-17-producing γδ+ T cells in the nasal mucosa. Sci Adv. 2024 Sep 27;10(39):eado7087. doi: 10.1126/sciadv.ado7087. Epub 2024 Sep 27. PMID: 39331716; PMCID: PMC11430450.
Work by Drs. James Martin and Maziar Divangahi uncovered a surprising natural defense mechanism that activates during pregnancy to protect against severe flu infections. Pregnancy triggers a powerful immune response in the nasal cavity, blocking the Influenza A virus from spreading to the lungs, where it can cause life-threatening complications. The discovery could pave the way for new flu vaccines, especially for pregnant individuals who are at higher risk of severe illness.
EXCITING RESEARCH IN THE PIPELINE
Project Title: Immune dysanapsis: Updating the paradigm of inflammation and lung health trajectories in diverse populations to achieve lifelong health for all
Investigators: Drs. Benjamin Smith (PI) and Jean Bourbeau (CI)
Funding: CIHR Team Grant — $1,998,780
Date: 2023-2028
This research proposal aims to explore how inflammation and lung growth interact, particularly in diverse populations, to develop better strategies for maintaining lung health throughout life. The concept of “immune dysanapsis,” which links impaired lung growth with prolonged inflammation and increased disease risk, will be examined. The study will involve a team of experts in various fields, including respiratory epidemiology and lung immunobiology, and will focus on a wide range of populations differing in age, genetic backgrounds, and living environments. The goal is to identify key exposures and critical periods that can be targeted to prevent lung disease and promote lifelong respiratory health.
Respiratory Medicine (cont’d)
Project Title: Finding the right balance: An adaptive trial to identify the safest regimen with the shortest duration for TB prevention (treatment of TB Infection)
Principal Investigators: Drs. Dick Menzies and Jonathon Campell
The study will test three short TB preventive treatment regimens in adults and children over 4 years old to see if they meet the criteria for safety, tolerability, and acceptability. If one of these shorter treatments proves safe, well-tolerated, and acceptable, the research team will plan a larger study to confirm its effectiveness in preventing TB.
Project Title: Decoding how the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) controls cigarette smoke-induced lung inflammation and development of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
Investigator: Dr. Carolyn Baglole (PI)
Funding: CIHR Project Grant — $940,000
Date: 2023-2028
The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) is a protein that plays a key role in maintaining lung health. Past work by the Baglole lab showed that AhR helps reduce lung inflammation caused by repeated cigarette smoke exposure — the main risk factor for COPD. This study will explore how AhR functions and whether it can be used as a treatment to limit smoke-related damage, potentially leading to new ways to manage respiratory diseases like COPD.
IMPACTFUL CLINICAL INNOVATION
Advancing Early Lung Cancer Diagnosis in Quebec
Led by Dr. Anne Gonzalez
Dr. Anne Gonzalez is leading a transformative initiative at the McGill University Health Centre (MUHC) and the Montreal Chest Institute (MCI) by implementing robotic bronchoscopy to enhance early lung cancer diagnosis across Quebec. This advanced technology allows for more precise and minimally invasive biopsies of lung nodules, facilitating earlier detection when treatment is most effective. Dr. Gonzalez, Director of the MCI Day Hospital and Interventional Pulmonology Program, emphasizes that integrating robotic bronchoscopy into the MUHC signifies a significant advancement in lung cancer care, aiming to establish a model that could be adopted throughout Quebec’s Health and Social Services Network.
RHEUMATOLOGY
Dr. Marie Hudson
8 Clinician-Teachers
4 Clinician-Scientists
3 Clinician-Educators
2 Clinician-Investigators
2 Scientists
1 Clinician-Administrator
5 NOTABLE 2024 PUBLICATIONS (Division or DOM primary member’s name in bold type)
Mendel A, Behlouli H, Vinet É, Curtis JR, Bernatsky S. Trimethoprim sulfamethoxazole prophylaxis and serious infections in granulomatosis with polyangiitis treated with rituximab. Rheumatology (Oxford). 2025 Apr 1;64(4):2041-2049. doi: 10.1093/rheumatology/keae368. PMID: 39024050; PMCID: PMC11962977.
Leclair V, Notarnicola A, Krystufková O, Mann H, Andersson H, Diederichsen LP, Vencovský J, Holmqvist M, Lundberg IE, Steele RJ, Hudson M. Effect modification of cancer on the association between dysphagia and mortality in early idiopathic inflammatory myopathies. Semin Arthritis Rheum. 2024 Apr;65:152408. doi: 10.1016/j.semarthrit.2024.152408. Epub 2024 Feb 2. PMID: 38335694.
Bowdish DME, Chandran V, Hitchon CA, Kaplan GG, Avina-Zubieta JA, Fortin PR, Larché MJ, Boire G, Gingras AC, Dayam RM, Colmegna I, Lukusa L, Lee JLF, Richards DP, Pereira D, Watts TH, Silverberg MS, Bernstein CN, Lacaille D, Benoit J, Kim J, Lalonde N, Gunderson J, Allard-Chamard H, Roux S, Quan J, Hracs L, Turnbull E, Valerio V, Bernatsky S; SUCCEED Investigative Team. When Should I Get My Next COVID-19 Vaccine? Data From the Surveillance of Responses to COVID-19 Vaccines in Systemic Immune-Mediated Inflammatory Diseases (SUCCEED) Study. J Rheumatol. 2024 Jul 1;51(7):721-727. doi: 10.3899/ jrheum.2023-1214. PMID: 38621797.
Brizio M, Mancini M, Lora M, Joy S, Zhu S, Brilland B, Reinhardt DP, Farge D, Langlais D, Colmegna I. Cytokine priming enhances the antifibrotic effects of human adipose derived mesenchymal stromal cells conditioned medium. Stem Cell Res Ther. 2024 Sep 27;15(1):329. doi: 10.1186/s13287-024-03916-9. PMID: 39334258; PMCID: PMC11438190.
Hoa S, Berger C, Lahmek N, Larché M, Osman M, Choi M, Pope J, Thorne C; Canadian Scleroderma Research Group; Hudson M. Characterization of Incident Interstitial Lung Disease in Late Systemic Sclerosis. Arthritis Rheumatol 2025 Apr;77(4):450-457. doi: 10.1002/art.43051. Epub 2025 Jan 7. PMID: 39492683; PMCID: PMC11936498.
Dr. Elizabeth Hazel (MUHC)
Dr. Laeora Berkson (JGH)
(McGill)
Dr. Jan Schulz (SMH)
Rheumatology (cont’d)
EXCITING RESEARCH IN THE PIPELINE
Project Title: Canadian Inflammatory Myopathy Study
Investigators: Drs. Valérie Leclair (PI), Marie Hudson (CI) and May Choi (CI)
