News & Events
2009-2010 Annual Report
Message from the Chair
In January 2011 I will begin a Sabbatical Leave in order to return more of my focus to research,
and in particular to the Quebec Clinical Research Organization in Oncology (Q-CROC) which I
helped found 3 years ago, as a multi-institutional translational research organization focused on
cutting-edge biomarker discovery projects. I will be spending part of my time at the FRSQ
offices focused on this, and the rest at the Segal Cancer Centre in my laboratory and working on
other projects. Since my term as Chair officially ends in summer 2011, the end of December
2010 effectively marks the end of my leadership of the Department. I am very proud to be
succeeded by Dr Eduardo Franco as Acting and then Interim Chair.
It has been my pleasure to lead the Department over the last 9.5 years. I have particularly
enjoyed partnering with many of the department members, in one way or another, to enhance
their personal academic activities for the good of us all, and particularly of the patients and of
scientific inquiry. The Department of Oncology faculty are a very impressive group of people
and I know that the projects they have launched, and those we have launched together will
succeed in reaching their goals.
I would also like to express my appreciation to the Department of Oncology staff at the Gerald
Bronfman Centre who helped keep the department running smoothly. In particular I would like
to thank Fran Ezzy-Jorgensen as the Administrative Officer who facilitates the process of new
hires, new appointments, tenure and promotions, Naomi Scobie, as the Secretary to the Chair,
who also coordinates several oncology training programs and education initiatives, Winie
Celestin as the Accounts Administrator who also coordinates the Visiting Speakers Program in
Oncology and is the RUIS liaison, Dr. Gayle Shinder as the Research Grants and Project
Coordinator, who works with faculty members and department programs and divisions to guide
them through the grant application process and facilitate a wide range of special projects, and
Penny Chipman and her team in the Clinical Research Program who are responsible for
managing the many oncology clinical trials being conducted at McGill and its affiliated
hospitals.
Finally, I would like to take this opportunity to welcome Dr. Eduardo Franco. Eduardo is the
Director of the Division of Cancer Epidemiology whose offices are located at the Gerald
Bronfman Centre. He is a world-renowned scientist who has a variety of research interests
including the molecular epidemiology and prevention of cervical cancer and human
papillomavirus-associated diseases. In an important way he represents an important direction for
cancer research and treatment; population research and health. He is a remarkable leader,
generous colleague and admired mentor.
I thank everyone in the department for the kindness they have shown me during my years as
Chair and I hope to continue to interact with many of them personally and professionally.
Gerald Batist, MD, FACP
Chair, Department of
Oncology, 2001-2010
Message from the Interim Chair
I feel privileged for the opportunity to serve McGill University in my new role. This report is the
culmination of nearly a decade during which our department was under the leadership of Dr.
Gerald Batist. He managed to bring a strong multi- and transdisciplinary emphasis to all of our
research and teaching activities and I will be sure to continue the process he initiated. The
Department of Oncology is home to many faculty members, scientists, support staff and trainees
who are located in many sites across campus and in the different teaching hospitals. By nature,
we rely on strong cooperation within McGill units and outside. As this report unequivocally
shows, our academic and research programs are world class and represent what is the best and
most cutting-edge in cancer research.
Next year, we will be celebrating 20 years of the establishment of the Gerald Bronfman Centre
as the administrative home of the department. Thanks to the generosity of the Bronfman family,
in the past 20 years McGill has been able to sustain an impressive array of activities related to
research on cancer therapy and prevention. The Centre has been the focal point for the clinical
and population health research programs that have over the years advanced the science of cancer
therapy and control, improved the quality of oncological care for our cancer patients and pointed
to new strategies in cancer screening and prevention. A committee will soon begin the planning
for a series of activities to celebrate the Centre’s anniversary.
I look forward to assisting the department’s mission of conducting timely and vigorous research
in all areas of cancer control and fulfilling its academic role of providing a superb training
environment for our residents, fellows, and graduate students.
Eduardo L. Franco, Dr.Ph., M.P.H.
Interim Chair, 2011
February 2011
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