Grant Projects & Impact 2024-2025

Research

54.8% of total

2023: $17.34M (31 projects)
2024: $14.60M (37 projects)
2025: $18.90M (66 projects)
Growth: +29.5%

Highlighted Projects

DOvEEgene – groundbreaking screening test for ovarian cancer

• In early 2020, the MUHC Foundation, alongside Genome Canada and Genome Quebec, secured a $6.24 million Genomic Applications Partnership Program (GAPP) grant to advance the DOvEEgene test through final clinical trials. In early 2024, DOvEEgene entered its final phase of clinical trials, following earlier phases that demonstrated the test could detect ovarian and endometrial cancers as early as Stage I, compared to Stage III or IV with conventional diagnostics. The groundbreaking genomic Pap test enrolled more than 5,000 women, followed participants for over two years, identified more than 85 cancers, and demonstrated approximately 70% accuracy in early detection, representing a major advancement in women’s health and precision medicine at the MUHC. https://doveegene.com/about/

Rare genetic illness research initiatives—the SDR Project

• The SDR Project (DNA and RNA Sequencing for Rare Disease Diagnosis), launched in 2021, advanced precision medicine for patients living with rare and undiagnosed genetic diseases. Created by Shawnea and the Roberts-Hindley family, the initiative aimed to raise $3.1 million, including $1.8 million for specialized equipment to support Dr. Donald Vinh’s research at the MUHC. To date, $2.26 million has been raised. Thanks to philanthropic support, Dr. Vinh’s team identified at least six patients with a newly recognized syndrome and solved complex genetic cases, including a patient misdiagnosed with lymphoma for years, with findings accepted for publication in the British Journal of Haematology, and a young woman suffering from severe infections, with results accepted in Clinical Infection in Practice, the official journal of the British Infection Association. The team also identified the genetic cause of recurrent lymphoma in a patient after more than a decade without answers, advancing personalized care and treatment pathways. https://muhcfoundation.com/works/the-sdr-project-understanding-genetic-diseases

Montréal Sans Hep-C

• Launched in 2019, Montréal sans HépC is an ongoing community-based initiative working to make Montreal the first city in North America to eliminate hepatitis C. Led by Dr. Marina Klein and partners across Montreal’s leading hospitals, the program addresses a disease affecting more than 58 million people worldwide and over 200,000 Canadians. Although hepatitis C is curable in more than 95% of cases with just 8 to 12 weeks of treatment, stigma and barriers to care continue to leave many untreated. Supported by the MUHC Foundation and major philanthropic partners, including a $1.35 million gift from Scotiabank, the initiative works with 16 community organizations to improve testing, diagnosis, and access to care for underserved populations across Montreal. https://muhcfoundation.com/stories/ambitious-program-aims-to-eliminate-hepatitis-c-in-montreal

Respiratory research initiatives, including the Living Lab

• Launched in 2021, the Living Lab at the Montreal Chest Institute (MCI) is redefining respiratory medicine by integrating research directly into patient care. Supported by the MUHC Foundation through its $10 million Breathe Easier campaign, the initiative combines wearable technologies, AI-driven analytics, liquid biopsies, and lung regeneration research to move from reactive to predictive care. Patients use smart rings, wristbands, and biosensors that continuously monitor breathing, sleep, oxygen levels, and early signs of deterioration from home, helping clinicians intervene earlier and prevent hospitalizations before symptoms spiral. With chronic lung disease affecting more than 3 million Canadians and only approximately 7,000 lung transplants performed worldwide each year, the Living Lab is accelerating personalized care, earlier interventions, expanded access to clinical trials, and better long-term outcomes for patients. The Montreal Chest Institute sees over 30,000 patients a year, from people suffering common respiratory conditions such as asthma and COPD, all the way to more acute infections such as pneumonia and tuberculosis (TB). https://muhcfoundation.com/news/shining-a-spotlight-on-the-montreal-chest-institute

EndoCARES expansion – supporting endometriosis care for more than 800 patients

• The MUHC Foundation began supporting EndoCARES (Endometriosis Centre for the Advancement of REsearch and Surgery) in 2022, helping establish Quebec’s first multidisciplinary referral centre dedicated to endometriosis at the MUHC. Affecting approximately 1 in 10 women, endometriosis often took an average of 7 to 10 years to diagnose, leading to chronic pain, infertility, and reduced quality of life. Co-directed by Dr. Dong Bach Nguyen and Dr. Andrew Zakhari, EndoCARES brought together specialists across gynecology, fertility, radiology, colorectal surgery, urology, and thoracic surgery to provide advanced, personalized care. In 2023, the centre supported 171 patients with complex or multi-organ endometriosis, booked 97 patients for complex surgery, and carried 109 referrals into 2024. Between January – April 2024, 76 new patients were seen and 45 patients consented to surgery, expanding access to care across Quebec. EndoCARES expansion is now supporting endometriosis care for more than 800 patients. https://muhcfoundation.com/stories/the-muhc-foundation-is-breaking-the-silence-on-endometriosis , https://healthenews.mcgill.ca/muhc-opens-quebecs-first-multidisciplinary-referral-centre-for-endometriosis/

Courtois Cardiovascular Signature Program – improving heart health outcomes for more than 4,000 patients

• The MUHC Foundation began supporting the Courtois Cardiovascular Signature Program in 2019, helping launch a groundbreaking precision medicine initiative aimed at better understanding, preventing, and treating heart disease, the cause of approximately 70,000 deaths in Canada each year. The ongoing program has raised more than $17.3 million, surpassing its original $10 million goal. Led by Dr. Matthias Friedrich and Dr. Nadia Giannetti, the 10-year study is following 4,000 participants between the ages of 35 and 79, combining genomic, microbiomic, imaging, lifestyle, and wearable device data to define what makes a healthy heart and identify early markers of cardiovascular disease before symptoms appear. The program has already established one of Canada’s most advanced precision cardiology research platforms, including a fully recruited patient cohort, an integrated cardiovascular biobank, a large-scale imaging and genomics database, and a digital health ecosystem designed to support future AI-driven discoveries. https://muhcfoundation.com/works/reducing-heart-disease-in-canada

AI-based chest X-ray analysis – improving diagnostic speed and accuracy

• The MUHC Foundation began supporting this AI and Precision Health initiative in 2023, helping advance the use of artificial intelligence to improve access to urgent medical care in Quebec’s remote communities. Led by Dr. Reza Forghani and Dr. Caroline Reinhold, the ongoing project used AI to rapidly analyze X-rays and CT scans, helping physicians identify life-threatening conditions such as strokes, internal bleeding, and collapsed lungs faster. Supported by the MUHC Foundation and a $1 million investment from TD Bank Group, the initiative impacted more than 200,000 people living in Northern Quebec. MUHC radiologists analyzed more than 190,000 X-rays and 100,000 CT scans annually, while patients suffering strokes in rural communities were approximately 30% more likely to die than those in urban centres. https://muhcfoundation.com/stories/artificial-intelligence-helps-save-lives-in-quebecs-remote-communities

Patient Care

22.6% of total

2023: $3.61M (62 project)
2024: $5.80M (63 projects)
2025: $7.81M (76 projects)
Growth: +34.6%

Highlighted Projects

Centre for Cardiovascular Disease Prevention

• The MUHC Foundation supported the Centre for Cardiovascular Disease Prevention, one of the MUHC’s leading prevention-focused cardiology programs dedicated to reducing the risk of heart disease before major cardiac events occur. With heart disease causing approximately 70,000 deaths annually in Canada and affecting 1 in 12 Canadians over the age of 20, the ongoing initiative has advanced early cardiovascular screening, genomic and family-based testing, women’s heart health, and personalized prevention strategies for patients at elevated risk. Founded by Dr. George Thanassoulis, the Family Heart Centre has specialized in inherited cardiovascular conditions, while the CPC’s Exercise Prescription Program has helped patients safely integrate physical activity into long-term heart health prevention.. https://muhc.ca/cpc

RBC Simulation Centre – a donor-supported, advanced medical simulation facility for clinical training

• Since 2020, the MUHC Foundation has supported the expansion of advanced simulation-based training through the MUHC-i-SIM program, helping prepare the next generation of health care professionals in realistic, high-pressure clinical environments. Supported in part by a $2 million RBC Future Launch gift in 2022, the initiative now helps train more than 5,000 health care professionals annually, including approximately 2,000 new employees each year, 75% of whom are recent graduates. Using high-fidelity operating rooms, ICU simulations, and virtual training technologies, the program strengthens emergency response, teamwork, wellness, and patient safety while reducing medical errors and improving preparedness across the MUHC. https://muhcfoundation.com/works/training-our-health-care-teams

Women’s Healthy Heart Clinic

• The MUHC’s Women’s Healthy Heart Initiative (WHHI) became Canada’s first nurse-led cardiovascular prevention program dedicated to women’s heart health. Supported by the MUHC Foundation, this ongoing program has already helped more than 1,000 women better understand and reduce their risk of heart disease through specialized risk assessments, prevention strategies, education, and personalized follow-up care. Heart disease remained the leading cause of death among Canadian women, responsible for approximately 25,000 deaths annually, nearly five times more deaths than breast cancer, while early warning signs of heart attacks were missed in up to 78% of women. By focusing on prevention and earlier intervention, the WHHI helped improve long-term heart health outcomes for women across Quebec. https://muhcfoundation.com/works/keeping-womens-hearts-healthy , https://muhc.ca/cpc/womens-healthy-heart-initiative , https://www.noovo.info/nouvelle/les-trois-quarts-des-femmes-minimisent-leurs-problemes-de-sante-indique-un-sondage.html

Art & Heritage – bringing the healing power of art to patients and care environments

• The MUHC Foundation began supporting the MUHC Art and Heritage Centre in 2008 following the integration of the founding hospital collections into a unified program. Today, the centre preserves and showcases one of Canada’s most significant hospital art and medical heritage collections, featuring more than 6,000 artifacts and works of art spanning over 200 years of medical history. Funding continues today, integrated throughout the MUHC network, the program brings art into clinical and public spaces to create more calming, human-centered care environments. Research associated with the initiative has shown that art can help reduce stress, anxiety, restless behaviour, and noise levels, while improving emotional well-being, comfort, and social connection for patients, families, and care teams. https://muhcfoundation.com/works/the-healing-power-of-art , https://muhc.ca/sites/default/files/micro/m-muhc-heritage/Art%20Heritage%20Fundraising%20brochure%20EN.pdf

Blue Zone – reducing health care emissions and supporting more sustainable operations

• In 2024, the MUHC became the first institution in Quebec’s health and social services network to adopt a decarbonization roadmap for its buildings, positioning itself as a leader in sustainable health care. With the health care sector responsible for approximately 3.6% of global greenhouse gas emissions, the ongoing initiative aims to achieve carbon neutrality across the MUHC by 2040. Supported by the MUHC Foundation and partners including the City of Montreal and Dunsky Énergie + Climat, the roadmap focused on reducing emissions through electrification, energy efficiency, and modernization projects. Preliminary analyses projected a 25% reduction in energy consumption once measures were fully implemented, while more than 75% of identified greenhouse gas reductions could be achieved at no additional operational cost to the MUHC. https://muhc.ca/news-and-patient-stories/news/first-quebecs-health-and-social-services-network-muhc-adopts-roadmap

Social Services Support

• The MUHC Foundation began expanding support for patient wellness and social support initiatives in 2020 to help address the growing needs of patients beyond medical care alone. These ongoing programs provided assistance with housing, food security, transportation, mental health, and psychosocial support for vulnerable patients and families. Demand continued to rise as more patients faced financial and social barriers directly impacting health outcomes and recovery. Through interdisciplinary care teams, social workers, and community partnerships, the MUHC helped ensure patients received holistic, compassionate support throughout their treatment journey. In 2025 alone, a targeted MUHC Foundation social support initiative directly assisted 27 vulnerable families through emergency food, clothing, and essential supplies. These initiatives reflected a growing recognition across health care that social determinants such as income, housing, and isolation played a critical role in long-term health and well-being. https://montreal.citynews.ca/2025/12/22/muhc-initiative-growing-patient-needs-beyond-medical-care/

Hospital Redevelopment

12.9% of total

Capital improvements and specialized equipment at the Glen site

2023: $4.44M (1 project)
2024: $4.44M (1 project)
2025: $4.44M (1 project)
Growth: 0% — stable

Equipment, Medical & Lab Supplies
9.7% of total

2023: $0.40M (6 project)
2024: $0.59M (8 projects)
2025: $3.34M (7 projects)
Growth: +463%

Highlighted Projects

Electrophysiology Centre of Excellence - EP Lab

• Officially opened in November 2024, the MUHC’s Electrophysiology (EP) Centre of Excellence is advancing care for patients with complex heart rhythm disorders through new technology and minimally invasive procedures. The EP Centre serves patients across Quebec while contributing to research in cardiac care. Heart disease remains the second leading cause of death in Canada, responsible for approximately one in every five deaths. Led by Dr. Vidal Essebag and his team, the MUHC recently performed a world-first cardiac electrophysiology procedure using next-generation mapping technology to improve precision and reduce procedure times, helping improve outcomes, reduce recovery times, and expand access to life-saving treatments for patients living with arrhythmias and heart rhythm disorders.https://muhcfoundation.com/works/an-electrophysiology-centre-of-excellence , https://muhc.ca/news-and-patient-stories/news/muhc-advances-care-heart-rhythm-disorders

Gastrointestinal (GI) Therapeutic Endoscopy Room

• The MUHC’s Therapeutic Endoscopy Unit is a global leader in the treatment of bile duct and pancreatic cancers through advanced minimally invasive procedures. Supported by the MUHC Foundation, the unit is led by internationally recognized therapeutic endoscopy experts Dr. Alan Barkun and Dr. Todd Baron. Pancreatic cancer is the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths in Canada, while bile duct cancers have a 5-year survival rate below 20%. In 2018, the MUHC performed Canada’s first endoscopic bypass procedure, allowing many patients to return home within 48 hours instead of facing hospital stays of two weeks or more following traditional surgery. The unit continues to advance research, and physician training in complex gastrointestinal cancer care.
  • https://muhcfoundation.com/stories/the-muhcs-therapeutic-endoscopy-unit-a-global-leader-in-bile-duct-cancer-care, https://themontrealeronline.com/2025/06/the-muhcs-therapeutic-endoscopy-unit-a-global-leader-in-bile-duct-cancer-care/

MUHC Core Molecular Diagnostic Laboratory

• The Core Molecular Diagnostic Laboratory (CMDL) at the MUHC’s Glen Site advances precision medicine through specialized DNA and RNA testing for cancer and genetic diseases. Operating within the Research Institute of the MUHC and supported by the MUHC Foundation, the laboratory helps clinicians diagnose, monitor, and personalize treatments for complex conditions, including sarcomas, lymphoid neoplasms, and other cancers driven by genetic mutations. These minimally invasive tests can provide real-time cancer monitoring, reduce the need for surgical biopsies, and support more personalized cancer care.

ICU Simulation Equipment - SimMan 3G Plus mannequin.

• In 2024 the MUHC Foundation funded the acquisition of a SimMan 3G PLUS, an advanced high-fidelity patient simulator used to train health care professionals in realistic emergency and critical care scenarios. The simulator can reproduce a wide range of medical conditions, physiological responses, and drug reactions, allowing teams to safely practice complex procedures, communication, and rapid decision-making before treating real patients. SimMan 3G PLUS supports training in more than 150 clinical skills and can simulate responses to over 145 medications. At the MUHC, this technology strengthens team-based training across emergency medicine, intensive care, trauma, and resuscitation, helping improve patient safety, reduce medical errors, and enhance readiness for high-risk situations.

Significant growth in this category reflects increased investment in essential clinical and diagnostic infrastructure. Key projects include the Electrophysiology Lab, advancing the treatment of cardiac arrhythmias; the GI Endoscopy Suite, supporting the diagnosis and treatment of gastric and hepatopancreatobiliary (HPB) cancers as well as benign gastrointestinal conditions; and the Core Molecular Diagnostic Laboratory, equipped with advanced genetic sequencing technology. Investments also include ICU simulation equipment, strengthening clinical training and preparedness.

Together, these initiatives improve the precision, efficiency, and safety of care delivery across the MUHC. Beyond these major projects, funding in this category supports a wide range of equipment needs across departments—from diagnostic tools to specialized laboratory technologies—ensuring clinical teams have access to the resources they need to deliver timely, high-quality care.