It is with profound respect that I share the passing of Dr. Maurice McGregor, who died on August 4, 2025, at the age of 105.
Dr. McGregor joined McGill University in 1957 and made lasting contributions as a clinician, educator and scientist. Among his many research accomplishments, he invented a pioneering rapid cassette changer for angiocardiography and authored over 180 peer-reviewed publications across cardiovascular physiology, pulmonary hypertension, coronary ischemia, medical education and health policy.
Later in his career, Dr. McGregor became the founding Chair of the Technology Assessment Unit at the MUHC, where he played a critical role in promoting evidence-based evaluation of new health technologies.
His legacy continues to be celebrated at The Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, through the annual Maurice McGregor Cardiovascular Research Day, a forum for presenting and discussing new advances in cardiovascular science that also honours his enduring impact on the field.
Maurice McGregor was a true clinician-scientist—curious, principled, and visionary. He pioneered both cardiovascular research and the way we evaluate health technologies, laying the foundation for evidence-based innovation. On a personal note, he was very important in my own medical training and career. As Dean of the Faculty of Medicine at the University of the Witwatersrand when I graduated, he signed my medical degree. As a young medical student with ambitions of becoming an academic doctor, I found him hugely inspirational, and in many ways I owe him a great deal for his support, encouragement and leadership at that formative stage of my journey. Many of us have been inspired by his integrity, rigour and unwavering focus on improving care—qualities that will remain an important source of inspiration for our research mission.
We offer our deepest condolences to his family, friends and colleagues. Dr. McGregor's legacy—as a researcher, educator and health systems leader—will guide and inspire us for years to come.
Rhian M. Touyz, MBBCh, M.Sc. (Med), PhD, FRCP, FRSE, FMedSci, FCAHS, FRSC
Executive Director and Chief Scientific Officer
The Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre