In Memoriam
[Cette page est disponible principalement en anglais.]
Dr. Lou Siminovitch
April 9, 2021
Dear Friends of CIHR,
We mourn the passing of Dr. Lou Siminovitch (1920-2021), an icon in Canadian Biomedicine. His contributions to Basic Medical Sciences are panoramic, as was his impact on institution-building, primarily in Toronto-based teaching hospitals in the University of Toronto.
He was a most helpful advisor to me and my predecessors, as a Board member of the Institute of Medical Science (IMS) when I was Director and latterly, on my return to Toronto in 2005, in guiding the development of Friends of CIHR. I vividly remember our gossipy lunches at La Bodega Restaurant on Baldwin St.
In 2010, FCIHR produced an in-depth Video History Interview of Lou to record an in-person accounting of his life story. Video clips can be seen on our FCIHR web site: http://www.fcihr.ca/video-history-of-canadian-medicine/video-history-of-medicine-in-canada-4/
I acknowledge Mr. Stephen Strauss, who interviewed Lou in 3 sittings over 4 hours.
Lou also published his autobiography in 2003: “Reflections on a Life in Science”. A good read with personal insights on his rise in Science and his enablers.
Here is the link to the Globe & Mail Obituary (April 9, 2021):
https://www.legacy.com/obituaries/theglobeandmail/obituary.aspx?n=lou-siminovitch&pid=198292907
As well, kindly scroll down for the Globe & Mail article by Dr. John Dirks (April 7, 2021):
https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/article-legendary-scientist-dr-louis-siminovitch-shaped-research-in-canada/
Regards,
Dr. Aubie Angel
President, FCIHR
Dr. Mladen Vranic
June 24, 2019
Dear Friends of CIHR,
Dr. Mladen Vranic, Emeritus Professor of Physiology at the University of Toronto passed away on June 18, 2019 from cardiac failure. He was a longstanding and Founding member of Friends of CIHR. He was a creative, imaginative scientist with a lifelong interest in Diabetes and glucagon physiology.
Dr. Vranic trained many exceptional graduate students, who became leaders like himself. He was a model mentor.
Condolences to his wife, Linda, and his three daughters.
Regards,
Dr. Aubie Angel
President, FCIHR
Dr. Wilbert Keon
April 11, 2019
Dear Friends of CIHR,
It is with profound sadness that we note the recent death of Dr. Wilbert Keon, an iconic surgical scientist and institution builder.
Dr. Keon had an enormous impact during his stellar career as an academic leader, surgical innovator and friend of clinician-scientists in Canada and beyond. Dr. Keon was a major contributor in the creation and promotion of major institutions in the health sciences in Canada. In our own domain, he was instrumental over the years in the launch of Alumni and Friends of MRC, the predecessor organization of Friends of CIHR. He was also supportive in a facilitative way in the creation of the Canadian Institute of Academic Medicine (CIAM), the predecessor organization of the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences (CAHS). I have fond personal memories of our days on the Board of Directors of the Ontario Heart Foundation, the predecessor organization of Heart and Stroke Foundation of Ontario. His focus was always on innovation in research based on the highest standards, irrespective of discipline. He was generous of his time, particularly to young trainees, and always encouraging. His contributions were immense and legendary.
Our deepest sympathies to his family and to his colleagues and grateful patients.
Regards,
Dr. Aubie Angel
President, FCIHR
Dr. Michael Bliss
May 19, 2017
Dear Friends,
It is with great sadness that I share the news and note the sudden and untimely death of Dr. Michael Bliss, who passed away on May 18, 2017. This is a great loss to his family and to the wider community of U of T, Massey College and to historians worldwide. He was a dear friend of many decades and a major contributor to FCIHR, as the Founding Interviewer for the Video History of Medicine in Canada initiative, having completed 12 in-depth videorecordings of iconic Canadian leaders in Science and Education. He was a renowned Medical Historian and public intellectual, who took up many causes and inspired legions of students, as a brilliant lecturer. He will be missed, but his influence will be ever present as an articulate chronicler of our heritage.
We look forward to a memorial service where his memory and achievements will be immortalized.
Regards,
Dr. Aubie Angel
President, FCIHR
Dr. Mark Wainberg
April 13, 2017
Dear FCIHR Members,
It is with shock and sorrow to note the untimely death of Dr. Mark Wainberg, a brilliant scientist and public advocate for HIV research and afflicted patients.
Mark was a Founding member of FCIHR, as well as its predecessor organization Alumni and Friends of MRC in 1995.
Mark was always interested in promoting Science, as a national priority, recruiting young people in the academic stream and was an exemplar in maintaining an active research enterprise at McGill University.
He will be missed by his colleagues, his patients and his global network of collaborators.
Deep felt condolences to his family and colleagues.
Regards,
Dr. Aubie Angel
President, FCIHR
Dr. Claude C. Roy
Dear FCIHR Membership,
It is with sadness that I draw your attention to the recent passing (July 2, 2015) of a Charter member of Friends of CIHR, who has contributed enormously as a pediatric clinician-scientist and pioneer of pediatric gastroenterology. He was a former director of pediatric gastroenterology at Ste-Justine Hospital and director of the research centre there. He also served as Chair of Pediatrics at the Universite de Montreal. As a former VP of MRC, he was instrumental in supporting the recovery following program review and facilitating the runup to the creation of CIHR and a strong advocate, on behalf of young trainees. He was inducted to the Canadian Medical Hall of Fame. He was appointed Officer of the Order of Canada and Officer of l’Ordre national du Québec. As noted by his accolyte, Dr. Sylvain Chemtob, “we have lost a great mind, scientist, mentor, clinician-professor and a superbly generous human being”. We mourn his passing.
Dr. Claude C. Roy – Globe and Mail:
http://v1.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/Deaths.20150711.93362842/BDAStory/BDA/deaths
Regards,
Aubie
Dr. John (Jack) Laidlaw
Dear FCIHR Membership,
It is with sadness that we note the passing of our dear friend and colleague, Dr. John (Jack) Laidlaw, last Saturday, June 6th, 2015, in his 94th year.
Jack was a founding member of Friends of CIHR and its predecessor organization, Alumni and Friends of MRC.
He was an active member of our association to his final days and will be remembered for his advocacy of science, humanistic patient care and support of young clinician-scientist trainees.
Our thoughts are with Annie, his wife, and family.
Link to Obituary in Toronto Star:
http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/thestar/obituary.aspx?pid=175038843
Regards,
Aubie
In Memoriam – Dr. Cy Frank
Dear FCIHR Members,
I sadly note the tragic death last night March 4th, 2015 of Dr. Cy Frank, President & CEO, Alberta Innovates – Health Solutions (AIHS).
Cy was an exceptional Surgical Scientist, Institutional Leader and visionary in Health Management. Among his many activities, he was an inaugural Scientific Director for CIHR, and he was an active Board Member of Friends of CIHR since January 2011. His wisdom and guidance was invaluable and he will be remembered for sponsoring and facilitating the Western Canadian expansion of the Henry G. Friesen Prize Institutional visits.
Plain-spoken and humble, Cy was an astute organizer, dedicated clinician and concerned advocate for best care at the community level. His death is a great loss to academic medicine, to health care management and translational initiatives in the community.
Friends of CIHR will honour his memory in a suitable way at a later date.
Our most profound condolences to his family.
Regards,
Aubie
In Memoriam – Dr. John R. Evans
We are saddened to learn that Dr. John R. Evans passed away on Friday, February 13, 2015. Dr. Evans was a brilliant educator, innovative academic, patron of the arts, supporter of young and aspiring leaders and consultant to governments, industry, international health organizations and individuals who sought his advice. John was the 2007 Friesen International Prizewinner and a subsequent major sponsor of the Prize. John was also featured in the FCIHR Video History of Medicine in Canada Project and was interviewed by his colleague and friend, Professor Michael Bliss:
http://www.fcihr.ca/video-history-of-canadian-medicine/video-history-of-medicine-in-canada-8/
Health Sciences in Canada benefited enormously from his creative genius in fostering the development of enduring institutions including the Faculty of Medicine, McMaster University; Canadian Foundation for Innovation (CFI); Health Services Research Foundation; and MaRS Discovery District, Toronto. The tribute to John penned by President Meric Gertler (U of T) is an excellent summary of his greater accomplishments. Here is the link: http://www.president.utoronto.ca/in-memory-of-dr-john-evans
Friends of CIHR extends condolences to his family.
DR. DONALD LAYNE – January 3, 2013
We note the passing of one of our inaugural members, who joined at the very beginning of our association. A loyal and supportive contributor to FCIHR and its predecessor organization, Alumni & Friends of MRC. Don was generous of his time, supportive of young scientists and facilitated the development of advanced research initiatives, both nationally in Ottawa and most recently, in Toronto, where he played a major role in establishing research institutes at the Toronto General Hospital and UHN.
A Gathering for friends, family and colleagues will be held at Noon on Saturday, January 19th at the new St James Cathedral Centre at 65 Church Street (Building north of the actual Cathedral). The three speakers will be Dr. Michael Baker , Dr. Ron Hobkirk (Emeritus Western) and his eldest son, Dr. Graham Layne (Memorial U.). All those who knew Don are welcome.
Click here to read the Globe & Mail Obituary of Dr. Donald Layne
DR. FRASER MUSTARD – November 16, 2011
“A true renaissance man, Dr. Fraser Mustard will be remembered for his remarkable contributions to Canada as an innovator, a researcher, an advocate and a leader……….”
[Remembering Dr. Fraser Mustard – by Casey Johnson, MaRS Discovery District]
Click here to watch video clip interviews of Dr. Fraser Mustard, as part of the FCIHR Video History of Medicine in Canada Project.
LE DR PIERRE BOIS – le 7, octobre 2011
Visitez l’Ordre National du Québec
DR. JACQUES DE CHAMPLAIN – August 5, 2009
It is with great sadness that we note the passing of Dr. Jacques de Champlain, one of our founding members. Jacques was a strong advocate of health research and contributed enormously to our public efforts to increase awareness on the importance of health research to society as a whole. Jacques was also a founding member of the Alumni and Friends of MRC and the Canadian Institute of Academic Medicine (predecessor organizations to FCIHR and CAHS) when these organizations were first created to increase awareness of the need to support health research when funding and public interest were very limited. We extend our sympathies to his family and friends. The link below provides details about his brilliant academic career.