On Monday, November 21, McGill and the Faculty of Medicine celebrated the 20th anniversary of the Gerald Bronfman Centre for Research in Clinical Oncology (GBC).
This major milestone was marked by several events, including the start of a brand new McGill tradition, the Bronfman Scientific Lecture. The Faculty was delighted to welcome international cancer control expert Dr. Simon B. Sutcliffe to deliver the keynote address, Cancer Control – Life and Death in an Unequal World. Dr. Sutcliffe’s thought-provoking lecture was followed by a panel discussion moderated by Dr. Eduardo Franco, Interim Director of the GBC. Dr. Michael Pollak and Dr. Michel Tremblay, two of McGill’s pre-eminent cancer researchers, weighed in on McGill’s contribution to the worldwide fight against cancer. See associated story in Focus.
Following the lecture, Interim Vice-Principal and Interim Dean of Medicine Samuel Benaroya hosted a very special reception. Joining him were Principal and Vice-Chancellor Heather Munroe-Blum as well as Ms. Judy Bronfman-Thau, representing the Marjorie and Gerald Bronfman Foundation. It was the Foundation’s gift 20 years ago that established the GBC.
Five McGill researchers and scholars who have made transformative contributions to the Centre and cancer care were presented with awards. Drs. Carolyn Freeman, Richard Margolese and Balfour Mount each received the Gerald Bronfman Centre Lifetime Achievement Award. Dr. Henry R. Shibata received the Inaugural Gerald Bronfman Centre Award for Excellence in Research and Clinical Service and Dr. Georges Shenouda received the Inaugural Gerald Bronfman Centre Award for Excellence in Teaching and Mentorship.