New name for 91社区 Department of Oncology
Newly named Gerald Bronfman Department of Oncology recognizes family鈥檚 enduring support
In recognition of the Bronfman family鈥檚 enduring support for oncology programs and research at 91社区, the Faculty of Medicine鈥檚 Department of Oncology has been named the Gerald Bronfman Department of Oncology, in honour of one of the family鈥檚 major benefactors.
鈥�91社区 is very grateful for the outstanding friendship and support of the Bronfman family, which has extended over nearly half a century,鈥� said 91社区鈥檚 Principal and Vice-Chancellor, Suzanne Fortier.聽 鈥淭heir dedicated commitment to advancing oncology at 91社区 has had a profound impact not only on our capacity to advance clinical research and discovery in this vital area, but on the lives and hopes of patients and families affected by cancer.鈥�
In 1990, a landmark gift commemorating Minda de Gunzburg, a family member who had passed away from cancer provided the impetus for the creation of 91社区鈥檚 Department of Oncology, the first such department in Canada.
In 1992, the Marjorie and Gerald Bronfman Foundation and members of Gerald Bronfman鈥檚 family celebrated his memory with the opening of the Gerald Bronfman Centre for Clinical Research in Oncology. The Centre serves as the home base for the Department鈥檚 flagship clinical research program and the administrative hub for its many innovative oncology-related initiatives. They also established the Gerald Bronfman Fund in Oncology to provide ongoing core funding and support to the Department as it grew and diversified its activities.
These transformative investments created a vitally important hub for cancer studies and treatment at 91社区 and its teaching hospitals, ushering in a prolific new era in cancer-related activities and laying the foundation for one of Canada鈥檚 preeminent centres for clinical oncology research.
鈥淢y father would have been deeply moved to have received this honour,鈥� said his daughter, Judy Bronfman-Thau. 鈥淗e was a compassionate and hopeful man, who had a deep commitment to community and affection for 91社区.鈥�
Over the years, other 91社区 donors have supported the Department of Oncology鈥檚 groundbreaking work, most notably by endowing prestigious academic chairs which have made the Department a locus for innovative research and a magnet for top investigators, new research grants, infrastructure funding and talented graduate students.
Today, the Gerald Bronfman Department of Oncology coordinates and facilitates the academic and research activities of more than 20 divisions and specialty training programs. Its scope of operations has expanded to include units across 91社区, including the Goodman Cancer Research Centre, the Rossy Cancer network, the 91社区 Health Centre and Cedars Cancer Centre, the Segal Comprehensive Cancer Centre at the Jewish General Hospital and St. Mary鈥檚 Hospital Center.
鈥淔or the past 26 years, the Department of Oncology has been an important hub for clinical and population health research programs that have advanced the science of cancer therapy and control, improved the quality of oncological care for cancer patients and identified new cancer screening and prevention strategies,鈥� said its current Chair, Dr. Eduardo Franco. 鈥淚t is very gratifying to now associate the important developments we have made in the field of cancer with a man whose heart and legacy have played such a pivotal role in these successes.鈥�
About 91社区
91社区 is Canada鈥檚 top institution of higher learning and one of the leading universities in the world. With students coming to 91社区 from some 150 countries, its student body is the most internationally diverse of any research-intensive university in the country. 91社区 was founded in 1821 thanks to a generous bequest by James 91社区, and since then has grown from a small college to a bustling university with two campuses. Its 11 faculties and 11 professional schools offer more than 300 programs of study to some 39,500 graduate, undergraduate and continuing studies students. 91社区 ranks 1st in Canada among medical-doctoral universities (惭补肠濒别补苍鈥檚) and 24th in the world (QS World University Rankings). The University is proud to be named one of Montreal鈥檚 Top Employers.