“The passion and commitment shown by our community of physicians and researchers is a great source of pride to the Max Rady College of Medicine and to UM as a whole,” said Dr. Peter Nickerson, vice-provost (health sciences) and dean of the Max Rady College of Medicine and the Rady Faculty of Health Sciences. “This honour not only recognizes the outstanding accomplishments of our University of Manitoba alumni and faculty members but also underscores UM’s dedication to nurturing generations of influential physicians and innovative researchers. Together, we continue to shape the future of medicine, making a lasting impact on health in Canada and beyond.”

On Nov. 18, University of Manitoba alumni, partners, faculty members, learners, and friends of the college will come together to celebrate the 140th anniversary of the Max Rady College of Medicine at a gala at the RBC Convention Centre. The event will raise funds for MD and grad student bursaries and serve as an opportunity to celebrate the achievements of all its members.

Please enjoy these snapshots of the remarkable UM faculty and alumni named laureates of the Canadian Medical Hall of Fame who have helped the Max Rady College of Medicine make its mark at home and around the world.

Biographies of our CMHF laureates:

2022 – Dr. Noralou Roos

Unlocked the potential of big data systems analysis to clarify the social determinants of health helping inform effective policies in support of universal health care

Dr. Noralou Roos, a pioneer in big data analysis for health care, co-founded the Manitoba Centre for Health Policy with her husband Leslie Roos. Over five decades, their initiative tracked the health and health care utilization of one million Manitobans, creating a valuable data resource linking health-care system use with actual needs. Dr. Roos’ innovative approach in gathering and analyzing administrative health-care data has set global standards, enabling post-market pharmaceutical safety assessments, data-informed resource allocation (especially in children’s health care) and more effective poverty alleviation strategies. Her pioneering work has gained international recognition and established large-scale data analysis as a cornerstone of effective population health-care management. Through her EvidenceNetwork.ca project, she shares authoritative health-care information with the public, utilizing media to enhance understanding of health-care issues. Dr. Roos has been transformative in reshaping health-care analysis and policy development.

2020 – Dr. Harvey Max Chochinov

A champion of personalized and dignified end of life care

Harvey Max Chochinov [MD/83, PhD/96], a distinguished professor of psychiatry at the University of Manitoba and senior scientist at the Research Institute of Oncology and Hematology, CancerCare Manitoba, is a leading advocate for personalized and dignified end-of-life care. His pioneering work has improved palliative care for those facing life-limiting conditions, addressing distress, depression and the desire for death, while promoting vulnerability recognition. Dr. Chochinov’s research provides guidelines for psychosocial intervention and enabling individuals to approach their end-of-life with dignity. Throughout his career, he has touched the lives of thousands with the life-affirming principles of Dignity Therapy.

2019 – Dr. Naranjan Dhalla

A champion of Canadian cardiovascular research on the international stage

Naranjan Dhalla, a prominent figure in Canadian cardiovascular research, holds the title of distinguished professor of physiology and pathophysiology at the University of Manitoba’s Max Rady College of Medicine. He is a founding leader of two global cardiovascular science organizations: the International Society of Heart Research (ISHR), emphasizing fundamental cardiovascular research, and the International Academy of Cardiovascular Sciences (IACS), committed to promoting cardiovascular health education and community involvement. These organizations have fostered international collaboration, bringing together countries and regions worldwide to advance cardiovascular knowledge and health. Dr. Dhalla’s contributions have earned him 177 honours and awards from organizations globally.

2018 – Philip Berger [MD/74]

A renowned leader in health promotion, illness prevention and care

Philip Berger [MD/74], an associate professor at the University of Toronto’s Faculty of Medicine and former chief of the department of family and community medicine at St. Michael’s Hospital (1997-2013), is a prominent leader in health promotion, illness prevention and compassionate health care. He’s been a staunch advocate for various marginalized groups, including refugees, the LGBTQ+ community, individuals with HIV/AIDS, those battling addiction, homelessness and poverty. Dr. Berger has actively promoted initiatives like methadone treatment, needle exchanges, recognition of torture survivors’ needs, academic infirmaries for the homeless and clinical AIDS treatment in Africa, often in the face of indifference or opposition.

2018 – Cheryl Rockman-Greenberg

A trailblazer in genetic identification and treatment for rare disorders

Dr. Cheryl Rockman-Greenberg, a pioneer in rare disorder genetics, discovered her passion for these conditions early on, shaping her career in pediatrics and medical genetics. As an academic clinician, she specialized in applied molecular genetics, uncovering the genetic roots of disorders prevalent in unique populations. Notably, she delved into hypophosphatasia (HPP), a metabolic bone disorder and glutaric aciduria type 1 (GA1), a complex organic acid metabolism disorder affecting Mennonite and Indigenous communities. Dr. Rockman-Greenberg has collaborated closely with these communities, bridging the gap between research facilities at major universities and the people who rely on advanced knowledge and skills for their care.

2017 – Estelle Simons, [MD/69] FRCPC

An icon in the field of allergy and immunology

Professor emerita Dr. Estelle Simons [MD/69], an icon in allergy and immunology, is renowned for her lifelong research on managing allergic diseases like asthma, allergic rhinitis and anaphylaxis. Over the years, she led groundbreaking clinical pharmacology studies, correlating blood concentrations with organ effects to confirm dosing rationale for new medications. Many of these drugs have stood the test of time, remaining globally utilized and proven safe. Dr. Simons also collaborated with immunology experts to uncover allergen sensitization mechanisms and explore novel agents for immune modulation.

2013 – Arnold Naimark, OC, [MD/57]

An outstanding leader and academic builder

Arnold Naimark [MD/57], a remarkable academic leader, joined the University of Manitoba in 1963, swiftly ascending to the role of dean of the faculty of medicine by 1971. As dean, he transformed the university’s medical programs, revitalizing departments like physiology and social/preventive medicine (later community health sciences) and spearheading the creation of the Northern Medical Unit. His innovative leadership extended to national and international medical education and research organizations. In 1981, he became the University of Manitoba’s ninth president and vice-chancellor, addressing broader university matters while continuing to advance medicine and health sciences.

2012 – John Dirks, OC [MD/57]

An exemplary builder in health research and innovation and committed global health advocate

John Dirks [MD/61], a clinician-scientist and global health advocate, has made remarkable contributions to health research and innovation. He excelled in renal physiology and held leadership roles in Canadian medical faculties. His passion for global health developed during his time at the Aga Khan University in Pakistan. However, Dr. Dirks’ most enduring achievement is transforming the Gairdner Foundation and its awards into the renowned Canada Gairdner Awards. These awards celebrate exceptional biomedical research. His visionary leadership revitalized the organization, boosting its global recognition and ensuring the lasting impact of these awards.

2011 – Allan Ronald, OC [MD/61]

An internationally respected expert in infectious disease and a pioneer in HIV/AIDS research and control

After international training, Allan Ronald [MD/61] returned to Winnipeg in 1968 to set in motion the creation of the Manitoba Infectious Disease Program. It soon became internationally recognized and has been acknowledged as Canada’s centre of excellence in the research and training of infectious diseases. As part of his commitment to global infectious disease research and treatment, Dr. Ronald assisted the University of Nairobi in creating one of the premiere initiatives in health collaborations between northern and southern institutions: the University of Manitoba/University of Nairobi WHO Research and Training Program in Sexually Transmitted Diseases.

2010 – James Hogg [MD/62]

A passionate and innovative scientist in the field lung research

James Hogg [MD/62], a dedicated and innovative scientist in lung research, has significantly shaped our understanding of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and asthma. His pioneering work on airway inflammation has transformed how scientists and physicians view COPD. Throughout his extensive career, Dr. Hogg has consistently focused on exploring the mechanisms and anatomical aspects of obstructive lung diseases. His contributions have established him as a leading authority in these fields, profoundly impacting the medical community’s knowledge of COPD and asthma worldwide.

2003 – Charles Hollenberg [MD/55]

A leader of the Canadian academic medical community

After receiving his MD from the University of Manitoba and pursuing post-graduate training in internal medicine, Charles Hollenberg [MD/55] turned to a life of academic medicine and leadership. Dr. Hollenberg’s academic career began at McGill University in the 1960s, where he conducted an active program of research in fat metabolism and actively promoted the growth of scientific medicine at the Montreal General Hospital. The following decade he spent as chair of the department of medicine at the University of Toronto, where he was successful in furthering the mission of the department in all areas, including teaching, administration and research.

2001 – Henry Friesen [MD/58]

A transformative influence on health research in Canada

Dr. Henry Friesen [MD/58], a pivotal figure in Canadian health research, began his journey in 1965 at McGill University’s department of medicine. There, his pioneering work on human growth hormones enabled effective hormone replacement therapy for children with deficiencies. He later achieved a breakthrough in endocrine research by isolating and purifying prolactin. Beyond his research, Dr. Friesen demonstrated remarkable administrative leadership, notably as president of the Medical Research Council of Canada. He successfully navigated the council through challenging periods with remarkable competence and diplomacy, and his vision and advocacy played a key role in transforming it into the Canadian Institutes of Health Research. His contributions have left an indelible mark on health research in Canada.

1995 – Bruce Chown, OC [MD/22]

An expert clinician, diagnostician, innovator and teacher

Dr. Bruce Chown [MD/22], a highly skilled clinician, diagnostician, innovator and educator, dedicated his career to researching erythroblastosis fetalis, commonly known as “Rh disease.” This condition occurs when a pregnant mother’s Rh factor differs from her unborn child’s, leading her immune system to harm the baby, potentially causing severe complications in vital organ development and even fetal or postnatal death. Dr. Chown went on to establish a facility in partnership with Connaught Laboratories for producing Rh immune serum. His groundbreaking work significantly reduced the incidence of Rh disease in Canada and globally, protecting countless pregnancies and newborns from this condition.

In January, the milestone was celebrated at an international research conference in Nairobi, Kenya.

The partnership between the two institutions has been recognized as a best-practice example of North-South research collaboration. It is regarded as a model global health initiative and has received millions of dollars in funding from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

The partners’ landmark discoveries include that HIV can be transmitted from mother to child through breastfeeding; that STIs such as gonorrhea and chlamydia increase susceptibility to HIV infection; and that some individuals have natural immunity to HIV.

“The collaboration has made a huge impact,” said Keith Fowke [B.Sc.(Hons.)/88, PhD/95], head of medical microbiology and infectious diseases in the Max Rady College of Medicine.

“U of M has been a global leader in making cutting-edge contributions to understanding HIV and other sexually transmitted infections, thanks to this partnership.”

At the conference, Dr. Ruth Nduati, professor of pediatrics at the University of Nairobi, spoke of the opportunities that the partnership has given to Kenyan scientists.

“This collaboration has been a gift to the young people of Kenya,” she said. “It has given them the possibility to dream that their work can be part of transforming the world.”

The collaboration began in 1980, after two doctors from opposite sides of the world met at a conference. Dr. Herbert Nzanze, head of medical microbiology at the University of Nairobi, convinced Allan Ronald [MD/61, B.Sc.(Med)/61, DSc./11], a UM research pioneer in infectious diseases, to come to Kenya to help combat sexually transmitted chancroid infections in men.

A small lab was opened in Nairobi, and Manitobans started travelling back and forth to operate it. Ronald brought in one of his star students, Frank Plummer [MD/76], and engineered links with infectious disease specialists at other institutions, including the University of Ghent in Belgium and the University of Washington in Seattle.

Seeking to track down the source of the chancroid infections, the group opened a clinic in the shantytown of Majengo to assess female sex workers. They soon brought chancroid under control. But in 1985, they were shocked to discover that a high percentage of the sex workers had HIV/AIDS. They changed their focus to the growing epidemic.

More students came to join them, not just from Manitoba but from Belgium and Seattle. Kenyan medical students started going to Winnipeg and Seattle to further their training.

In the late 1980s, Plummer led a team – including Fowke, then a graduate student – in discovering that some Kenyan women sex workers who had been exposed to HIV infection were naturally immune to it. This breakthrough provided vital new information for HIV vaccine and drug development.

In 2007, a team led by UM professor Dr. Stephen Moses demonstrated that circumcision reduces men’s risk of HIV infection by as much as 60 per cent. This insight led to expanded circumcision programs throughout eastern and southern Africa.

The Manitoba-Nairobi partnership also developed HIV prevention and control strategies that included opening free clinics‚ educating sex workers and distributing condoms. Many of the strategies have successfully been implemented by other countries.

Today, the University of Nairobi STD/HIV/SRH Collaborative Research Group includes several other universities in addition to Manitoba, Ghent and Washington, including the University of Toronto, McMaster University and the University of California.

To mark the 40th anniversary, attendees at the conference included then UM President and Vice-Chancellor Dr. David Barnard and University of Nairobi Vice-Chancellor Dr. Stephen Kiama.

Reflecting on 40 years, co-founder Ronald, now distinguished professor emeritus in medical microbiology and infectious diseases, emphasized the links between science, public policy and clinical practice, and the priority of getting research results implemented so they can save lives.

“Global health needs to be further defined as a shared responsibility between scientific and academic leaders, governments and implementation processes that are demonstrated to the public, and to funders, as able to reduce disease burden,” he said.

Kenyan professionals have been vital to the collaboration’s research and clinical success. A number of Kenyan students who went abroad to study at universities affiliated with the collaboration eventually assumed health-system and research leadership roles in their home country.

Omu Anzala [PhD/97], currently director of the Kenyan AIDS Vaccine Initiative, earned his PhD at UM. Dr. Joshua Kimani, who became chief clinician for the collaboration, recalled a visit to Winnipeg that influenced his career path.

Back in 1987, Kimani was a third-year medical student when a Canadian – Dr. Frank Plummer – came to lecture his class on sexually transmitted diseases. “HIV had just come,” Kimani remembered. “People didn’t really understand it.”

Kimani and another student were so intrigued by Plummer’s talk that they volunteered at the Majengo clinic. That experience influenced them to specialize in infectious diseases. In 1989, they received funding from UM to spend three months in Winnipeg.

They did rounds at local hospitals and were awestruck to meet senior figures like Ronald, Dr. Robert Brunham and Dr. Joanne Embree, who were well-known members of the collaboration with their names on numerous research papers.

“By the time we came back home,” Kimani said, “we had seen a different world and been opened up to the opportunities in public health.”

Fowke, who has made more than 40 trips to Kenya in his career, said it was moving and inspiring to mark the 40th anniversary in Nairobi with an international network of colleagues and friends.

“With five generations of UM and UN researchers represented at the meeting, I felt tremendous pride in the vision of the founders, immense hope for the future – seeing the excellence of our students – and honoured to be part of this collaboration,” he said.

“UM researchers and students have improved the health of Kenyans and people around the world, and we should all take a moment to celebrate that accomplishment.” 

LARRY KROTZ and RADYUM STAFF

Remembering Dr. Frank Plummer

The celebration of the 40-year University of Manitoba-University of Nairobi partnership gave way to sorrow on Feb. 4, 2020 with the sudden passing in Nairobi of esteemed scientist Frank Plummer [MD/76], a leading figure in the collaboration.

The day before his passing in Nairobi, Dr. Frank Plummer was reunited with Hawa, a research participant who was found to have natural immunity to HIV nearly 30 years ago.

The world-renowned infectious disease expert was 67 years old. Just days before suffering a fatal heart attack, he had spoken at the 40th-anniversary conference and enjoyed reuniting with many of the Kenyan women whose natural immunity to HIV his team had discovered in the late 1980s.

“Frank Plummer’s contributions to public health on a global scale were immense. Today we lost a giant,” said Brian Postl [MD/76], dean of the Rady Faculty of Health Sciences and a medical school classmate of Plummer. “Frank distinguished himself as a true leader and visionary.”

The Winnipeg-born Plummer, who joined the UM faculty in 1984, spent 17 years in Nairobi leading the collaboration. His work not only produced vital knowledge about the HIV epidemic in Africa, but led to prevention and control strategies that influenced worldwide health policy on sexually transmitted infections, saving tens of thousands of lives.

In Canada, Plummer’s leadership roles included serving as scientific director general of the National Microbiology Laboratory in Winnipeg and director general of the Centre for Infectious Disease Prevention and Control in Ottawa.

He led the Canadian laboratory response to the SARS outbreak in 2003 and the H1N1 influenza outbreak in 2009. At the time of his passing, he was distinguished professor emeritus of medical microbiology and infectious diseases at UM and was working to develop an HIV vaccine.

“The work of Dr. Frank Plummer has had a tremendous impact on global public health, and he was a prime example of dedication and passion in one’s profession,” said Dr. David Barnard.

Plummer’s many prestigious honours included the Order of Canada, the McLaughlin Medal of the Royal Society of Canada, the Prix Galien Research Award, the Canada Gairdner Wightman Award and the Flavelle Medal of the Royal Society of Canada.

“He was an outstanding, world-class researcher who was a dear colleague, mentor and friend to many of us lucky enough to work with him, and beside him,” said Keith Fowke [B.Sc.(Hons.)/88, PhD/95], head of medical microbiology and infectious diseases. “He will be dearly missed by all of us in the academic and scientific community.”

The paper, published in the journal Antibiotics, found that UM professors were linked to five of the 100 most-cited papers that span the past 60 years. This is more contributions than larger institutions like Harvard University, Stanford University, University of Toronto and The University of British Columbia.

The analysis looked at keywords related to the field of antibiotics to compile the most-cited papers.

“I think it really shows the great work that the University of Manitoba infectious diseases and microbiology has done over time,” said Dr. Anand Kumar, professor of internal medicine in critical care and infectious diseases, Max Rady College of Medicine, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences. “I think there are a lot of places that demonstrate excellence for a decade or so, but really what this is indicating is that there has been a high level of excellence at the University of Manitoba for a very long time.”

Dr. Jude Uzonna, associate dean (research), Max Rady College of Medicine, said he was pleasantly surprised to discover that the University of Manitoba had the most contributions.

“Thinking about it, ‘I should not be surprised because we are doing good science here,” Uzonna said. “We’re doing great work so this reflects the overall excellence in the kind of research being conducted at the Rady Faculty of Health Sciences and the University of Manitoba.’”

Kumar’s 2006 paper demonstrating that the faster a patient with septic shock is treated with antibiotics, the better the survival, was ranked number seven on the top 100 list and remains highly quoted. The paper, titled Duration of hypotension before initiation of effective antimicrobial therapy is the critical determinant of survival in human septic shock, has been cited more than 5,000 times according to Google Scholar.

“It is one of the most widely quoted papers citing how critically important it is to rapidly treat sepsis,” said Dr. Kelly MacDonald, professor and head of the section of infectious diseases, department of internal medicine and a researcher in medical microbiology/infectious diseases, Max Rady College of Medicine. “It is a very important paper.”

The 33rd most-cited paper was a 2001 Annals of Internal Medicine publication authored by multiple-renowned UM faculty, including dean emeritus of medicine Dr. Nick Anthonisen, demonstrated that when patients with exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease were given antibiotics, along with standard treatment, they did significantly better than without antibiotics. The paper, titled Antibiotic therapy in exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, was cited more than 3,000 times according to Google Scholar.

“That paper changed clinical management. It was quoted widely for many years,” MacDonald said. “That was a seminal paper.”

Dr. Eric Bow, professor and past chair of the section of oncology and member of the section of infectious diseases in internal medicine, co-authored two papers in the top 100. As a dual research specialist in treating infections in leukemia, he was involved in Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) guidelines for the use of antimicrobial agents in neutropenic patients with cancer. The 2008 guidelines are ranked 49th (more than 1,700 citations on Google Scholar) and the 2000 guidelines are ranked 58th (more than 2,700 citations on Google Scholar) on the list.

“These guidelines from Dr. Bow and the IDSA committee have been tremendously impactful,” Kumar said.

Former University of Manitoba professor Dr. Marc Gurwith’s 1981 seminal paper was the first to describe clostridium difficile colitis, a now widely-recognized serious cause of hospital-acquired diarrhea. The paper, titled Antibiotic-associated pseudomembranous colitis due to toxin-producing clostridia, is ranked 73rd and was cited more than 1,600 times according to Google Scholar.

“Dr. Gurwith’s paper described a new disease for the first time,” Kumar said. “So that’s pretty cool.”

Bow attributed the success of these papers and their authors to the outstanding leadership the department has had over the decades.

“I think Dr. Allan Ronald is the one who had the insight and vision to put the University of Manitoba on the global map in the area of infectious diseases,” Bow said.

MacDonald said that while the department of microbiology and infectious diseases is well known for its international health work in the field of STDs and HIV, this clinical and translational research shows that infectious disease clinical researchers also have been making an impact internationally in other areas as well.

“I think it’s important that people understand the breadth of expertise that has come and is still coming out of this centre,” MacDonald said. “We have some of the best researchers in the world right here at home in Manitoba.”

As an international hub for infectious disease research, MMID has been involved in many international breakthroughs. More recently, in the case of the Ebola outbreak in West Africa, it was researchers from the NML and MMID who developed the vaccine to treat the virus. However, the genesis of how MMID got onto the international stage for infectious disease research is often unrecognized.

MMID’s response to the outbreak of a sexually transmitted infection known as chancroid (caused by Haemophilus ducreyi) was the prominent impetus that forged international ties to the University of Nairobi (UoN) in Kenya. Amid Winnipeg’s local chancroid outbreak in the 70s, the
active department head, Dr. Allan Ronald, and his colleague, Dr. Gregory Hammond, sought to identify the causative agent by developing conducive growth media and subsequently assessed antibiotic susceptibility. Their efforts were rewarded in the capacity to treat and eradicate this local outbreak, ultimately becoming experts in the management of chancroid.

In 1979, while attending a meeting of the United Nations, Dr. Ronald learned of a large chancroid outbreak in Kenya. He met the then Head of the Department of Medical Microbiology at the University of Nairobi, Dr. Herbert Nsanze, who invited him to assist with the chancroid outbreak in Kenya. In 1980, they worked at a Nairobi City clinic called the ‘Casino clinic’ in downtown Nairobi to study chancroid which mainly catered to male clients. This was the first international collaboration for MMID and one that is still ongoing.

In 1984, Frank Plummer, a medical fellow of Dr. Ronald’s, joined the clinic to study gonorrhea caused by Neisseria gonorrhoeae. For his research project Frank started a cohort of female sex workers from Pumwani District in Nairobi. Working alongside (the late Prof) Elizabeth Ngugi, a nurse with the project, they used a community engagement (peer engagement) model in which the sex workers themselves came up with ways of communicating STI prevention approaches. This led to the birth of the Majengo clinic where the MMID team is still providing health care for the sex workers. Initial research at this clinic focused on N. gonorrhoeae and its sensitivity to antibiotics.

Since then, the number of studies that have been carried out by students at the U of M and the UoN, as well as faculty from both institutions, and other research facilities based at the UoN. 

The U of M/UoN collaboration has greatly contributed to Kenya’s fight against HIV; especially among high risk populations as well as undertaking research other areas of infectious diseases.

One of the first demonstrations and publication of heterosexual HIV transmission of HIV in women in Africa was from the Nairobi cohort. Dr. Joanne Embry and Dr. Frank Plummer described mother-to-child transmission of HIV through breast milk, and the team also showed higher risk of HIV infection in men with foreskin. To translate their research into the community, they utilized the peer engagement model; a model where select community members work as peer educators to explain and translate key research on HIV. This model has been adopted by clinics in India.

Dr. Keith Fowke’s laboratory focuses on immune responses in individuals who, though exposed to HIV frequently, appear to be resistant to infection with the virus, known as highly exposed seronegative (HESN). They are currently conducting studies focused on blocking inflammation
as a new approach to HIV prevention.

Dr. Blake Ball’s research focuses on immune responses and susceptibility to HIV and TB; Dr. Lawrence Gelmon’s research interest is in HIV/ AIDS, STIs in relation to epidemiology and health policies; Dr. Kelly MacDonald’s research combines basic science and clinical aspects of HIV vaccines. Drs. Ma Luo and Frank Plummer are also working on an HIV vaccine based on studies from the HESN Nairobi sex workers. Dr. Lyle McKinnon’s research combines epidemiology with basic science studies of transmission among cohorts of men who have sex with men (MSM), female sex workers (FSW), and adolescent girls and young women (AGYW) in several countries including Kenya. Dr. Elijah Songok, is tackling HIV protection by the identification of novel biomarkers in HIV-resistant sex workers of the long standing Pumwani cohort of Nairobi for HIV drug development in the future. His position as head of Graduate Studies at the U of Nairobi, has enabled him to bridge international research capacity between U of Nairobi and U of M trainees with the Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI)- the Kenyan equivalent of Canada’s NML. Dr. Jason Kindrachuk, Canada Research Chair in Molecular Pathogenesis of Emerging and Re-emerging Viruses, whose research focus is emerging infectious diseases, also leads science outreach activities in Africa that focus on building capacity and expertise in emerging virus preparedness at the local level.

Five generations of Canadian and Kenyan researchers have now been training through this collaboration. Together, from a modest start, the collaboration between MMID and the U of Nairobi has resulted in several highly significant research findings and improved health to populations globally.

Toby Le, M.Sc student, MMID

Shifa Mohideen, M.Sc student, MMID

Florence Mutual, Ph.D. candidate, MMID

Ruth Mwatelah, Ph.D. candidate, MMID

The University of Manitoba is proud to be hosting the 17^th Canadian Medical Hall of Fame (CMHF) induction ceremony on April 23 at the Metropolitan Entertainment Centre for the second time in the CMHF’s 21 year history.

Every year, the CMHF, based in London, Ontario, elevates a select few of our country’s most brilliant minds to laureate status. Laureates are “medical heroes” who have pushed the boundaries of discovery and innovation.

More than 430 academic, research and health leaders from across Canada will join co-chairs, Dr. Brian Postl, Dean, Faculty of Health Sciences and Dr. Arnold Naimark, President Emeritus, to celebrate medical innovation and excellence and pay tribute to the 2015 inductees.

This year’s planning committee included broad representation from the University of Manitoba and across the health and research sector and has ensured an event with plenty of Manitoba flavour from food (pickerel, bison, Bothwell cheese, wild mushrooms and more) to entertainment (hoop dancing, honour song and medical student performances) promising a spectacular evening!

The University of Manitoba has a long and proud history with the Canadian Medical Hall of Fame and is honoured that seven of our alumni have been recognized with this prestigious distinction. Our laureates include: Bruce Chown [MD/22], John Dirks [MD/57], Henry Friesen[MD/58], James Hogg [MD/62], Charles H. Hollenberg [MD/55], Arnold Naimark [MD/57] and Allan Ronald [MD/61.]

Dr. Naimark was recognized by the CMHF in 2012 for his work as one of the country’s foremost educational administrators and for his lifetime of leadership in the development of departments, universities, institutions and organizations at the local, provincial and national level.

Dr. Ronald, University of Manitoba Distinguished Professor Emeritus, was inducted in 2011 in honour of his work as an internationally respected expert in infectious disease. A mentor of young physicians, Ronald his limitless enthusiasm and dedications has ensured the advancement of infectious disease as a leading medical discipline and has contributed to the ongoing battle of HIV/AIDS in Africa.

Dr. Friesen has carried out ground breaking research on human growth hormone which made successful replacement therapy in hormone-deficient children possible. Dr. Friesen was chair of the council that recommended the creation of the Canadian Institutes of Health Research and is credited with starting a “world-class health research establishment” He was inducted into the CMHF in 2001.

This year’s inductees are:

• Alan Bernstein, world-renowned health leader, researcher and mentor who has made important discoveries in stem cell and cancer research
• Judith G. Hall, pediatrician and geneticist, specializing in the genetic factors that affect children’s growth
• Bernard Langer, innovator, gifted surgeon and respected teacher, considered a global pioneer of hepatobiliary/pancreatic (HPB) surgery
• The late John McCrae, one of the best trained physicians of his generation for his advanced research on tuberculosis, scarlet fever, nephritis and lobar pneumonia
• Julio Montaner, determined and passionate visionary whose work has directly contributed to the increased survival and dignity of people living with HIV in Canada and the world
• Duncan G. Sinclair, internationally recognized leader in health care reform, whose courageous leadership led to a re-defined health system in Ontario.

Learn about our U of M alumni and other Canadian Medical Hall of Fame laureates here.