The appointment is part of a renewed leadership structure designed to accelerate The Institute's 2030 Vision.
October 1, 2026
Source: The Institute
The Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre (The Institute) is pleased to announce the appointment of Pierre-Albert Coubat as Executive Director. Chief Operating Officer since September 2025, he takes on this expanded role following a change to the leadership structure approved by The Institute's Board of Directors.
The Board has established two distinct leadership roles. The Chief Scientific Officer, Dr. Rhian M. Touyz, will focus on The Institute's scientific mission. The Executive Director reports to her, except with regard to innovation, for which he reports to the President and Executive Director of the MUHC, Dr. Lucie Opatrny. The Executive Director leads operational and administrative support for research and innovation, in service of the priorities shared by The Institute and the McGill University Health Centre –Santé Québec (MUHC-Santé Québec).
In this role, Mr. Coubat will oversee all of The Institute's administrative and operational functions. He sits on the MUHC Executive Committee and serves as The Institute's lead partner with the MUHC on innovation, including through the IMPACT Centre. He continues to serve as Secretary of The Institute's Board of Directors.
Since joining The Institute, he has streamlined administration, strengthened key partnerships and helped advance shared strategic priorities across The Institute and the MUHC ecosystem.
“Through his strategic vision, collaborative approach and commitment to operational excellence, Pierre-Albert has already made a significant contribution to advancing The Institute's mission and long-term goals,” said Dr. Touyz. “I look forward to our ongoing close collaboration, as we continue to deliver on our 2030 Vision."
"Mr. Coubat has already built strong bridges between The Institute and the MUHC-Santé Québec," said Dr. Lucie Opatrny, President and Executive Director of the MUHC-Santé Québec. "In this new role, he will help us turn discoveries into innovations that benefit our patients more quickly. I am pleased to continue working with him in this capacity."
"The Board is very pleased to see Pierre-Albert take on this expanded role," said Dr. Sarah Prichard, Chair of The Institute's Board of Directors. "This new leadership structure allows The Institute to pursue its scientific ambitions with strong operational support, and Pierre-Albert has already shown he is the right person to lead this work."
The entire Institute community congratulates Mr. Coubat and wishes him every success in his new role.