Partners in Discovery

Discovery doesn't happen alone. It takes a hospital willing to turn research into care, a university willing to train the people who do it, donors willing to invest in a researcher before the world knows their name, and a home-grown innovation engine willing to get the best ideas into the world faster. This year, that whole ecosystem got a name of its own: Canada's Best.

A shared vision for health research

"Attracting Canada's Best scientists is how we accelerate discovery, define what is possible in health care and achieve the greatest impact. This is the vision that unites The Institute and the McGill University Health Centre of Santé Québec at a pivotal moment in science and medicine," says Dr. Lucie Opatrny.

"Through a connected innovation pathway anchored by our IMPACT Centre, we have made a bold commitment to recruit and empower emerging research leaders and strengthen the growth and resilience of our clinical trials. We are excited to amplify excellence — ensuring ideas do not simply advance, but gain momentum, moving seamlessly from discovery to real-world impact.

As a leading Canadian hospital-based research institute, we are building a future where innovation reshapes care and where every advancement brings us closer to a healthier, more equitable society. By investing in people, forging powerful, global partnerships and creating clear pathways from insight to impact, we are not just responding to the future of research — we are actively defining it."

Dr. Lucie OpatrnyPresident and Executive Director,
McGill University Health Centre of Santé Québec

World-class training, world class research

"McGill University is delighted to celebrate the achievements of Canada's Best, an ambitious and exciting initiative for us and our partners at the Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, launched earlier this year.

Through our scientific rigour, we are advancing McGill's vision of research that supports health and well-being, and creates knowledge and solutions to improve lives, strengthen health systems, and deliver better outcomes for individuals and communities. Attracting the brightest postdoctoral fellows from around the world to train with McGill's world-class health researchers and clinicians in priority areas is an essential part of this.

The energy and creativity that postdoctoral fellows bring to the bench and bedside are engines that propel our joint research mission, which cuts from molecules to health services improvements, from policy directions to clinical trials. They are tomorrow's pioneers and nurturing their growth as investigators and future leaders is an honour we are glad to support, as we welcome the next talented recipients of Canada's Best fellowships."

Dominique Bérubé, PhDVice-President (Research and Innovation),
McGill University

Lesley Fellows, MDCM, DPhilVice-President (Health Affairs),
Dean, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences,
McGill University

The power of philanthropy

None of it happens without philanthropy and the support of donors.

McGill University Health Centre Foundation

"At the MUHC Foundation, our mission is to make the impossible possible in health care. Canada's Best brings that mission to life by investing in outstanding researchers and giving them the opportunity to pursue bold ideas, build their expertise, and push discovery forward. Supporting exceptional talent creates the conditions for meaningful innovation in health care research. These researchers bring diverse perspectives, ambition, and a rigorous commitment to advancing discovery. Their work will build on the MUHC's longstanding excellence in research, helping shape what comes next in health care."

Marie-Hélène LaraméePresident and CEO,
MUHC Foundation

Montreal General Hospital Foundation

"Supporting research and innovation that benefits patients is central to the Montreal General Hospital Foundation's mission. Thanks to generous donors, almost half our philanthropic investment this past fiscal year went to research and innovation, including $10,206,678 in contributions to The Institute, with whom we are pleased to partner on many initiatives. Our collaborations this past year include our Health Arena competition, Impact Investment Program for healthcare startups, annual Research Awards, and other support to research projects. While we proudly support transformative initiatives developed through traditional academic paths, we also champion new philanthropic funding models that fuel innovation and discovery, with impacts throughout the province and beyond."

Brian ThompsonPresident and CEO,
Montreal General Hospital Foundation

The Montreal Children's Hospital Foundation

"The future of pediatric research will be shaped by those bold enough to ask the questions that no one has thought to ask before. That is what makes the Canada's Best program so compelling. It gives exceptional researchers at a pivotal point in their careers the freedom, support and mentorship to challenge what we know and pursue ideas that could redefine what is possible for children and mothers-to-be. Our donors understand that investing in these researchers today means investing in tomorrow's leaders and supporting breakthroughs that will usher in a new era for pediatric and maternal-fetal health."

Renée VézinaPresident,
The Montreal Children's Hospital Foundation

Cedars Cancer Foundation

"A big part of the Cedars Cancer Foundation's mission is to support excellence and innovation in cancer research. Our goal is to foster the development of more effective and precise cancer treatments, which result in better patient experiences and outcomes – and save more lives. By supporting Canada's Best, we're doing that and more: We're also building our in-house expertise, by helping to attract the best and brightest post-doctoral oncology researchers from around the world to the McGill University Health Centre of Santé Québec, The Institute, and McGill University medical community. It's an important initiative, and we're very proud to be part of it."

Jeff J. ShamiePresident and CEO,
Cedars Cancer Foundation

From discover to impact: The IMPACT Centre

And as we grow that talent, we're building new ways to get their discoveries into the world faster.

"Better patient care happens when bold ideas meet the right people — and our role is to bring them together and accelerate change," says Dr. Alan Forster.

Dr. Alan ForsterDirector and Chief Innovation Officer,
McGill University Health Centre of Santé Québec and The Institute

The new IMPACT Centre offers a structured, transparent pathway for industry partners to engage with Canada's largest bilingual academic health centre and the number one research institute in Québec — a dedicated team accelerating innovation, testing the most promising technologies in real clinical settings, and getting them to patients in Québec, Canada, and around the world.

With over 1.5 million patient interactions annually across the McGill University Health Centre of Santé Québec, more than $250 million in annual research funding, and 30+ specialized research centres, the IMPACT Centre is where bold ideas meet the infrastructure to make them real.

Seven institutions, one conviction

Discovery doesn't happen alone.

This year, it happened with the support of a hospital, a university, four foundations, and an innovation centre — seven different institutions, one shared conviction and belief in Canada's Best research.