Dr. Lucy Gilbert, founder of DOvEEgene, is presented with the prestigious King Charles III Coronation Medal

On Wednesday, December 18^th, over 150 guests gathered in the Drs Sylvia and Richard Cruess Amphitheatre at the Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre’s (RI-MUHC) auditorium to celebrate Dr. Lucy Gilbert, who has been honoured with the prestigious King Charles III Coronation Medal for her outstanding work in transforming women’s health care in Quebec and beyond.

Among the attendees were Annie Koutrakis, M.P. for Vimy, who nominated Dr. Gilbert and presented the award, Alexandra Mendès, M.P. for Brossard–Saint-Lambert, MUHC President and Executive Director Dr. Lucie Opatrny, members of the MUHC and MUHC Foundation community, as well as Dr. Gilbert’s friends and family, including two sisters, also doctors, who travelled from the United States for this special occasion.

“I am deeply grateful for this profound honour, made possible by the incredible kindness and unwavering support of donors to the MUHC Foundation. Their dedication to the DOvEEgene trial has been instrumental in our efforts to combat ovarian and endometrial cancers. Together, we’re revolutionizing women’s health care,” says Dr. Gilbert, Director of Gynecologic Oncology Cancer Service at the MUHC.

The Coronation Medal was created to mark the Coronation of His Majesty King Charles III, which took place on May 6, 2023. It is the first Canadian commemorative medal to mark a coronation, and it honours those who have made a significant contribution to Canada or to a particular province, territory, region of, or community in Canada.

Dr. Gilbert is internationally recognized for her groundbreaking research in gynecological cancers. In 2002, she established the Women’s Health Research Unit at the MUHC, now Canada’s largest clinical trials unit for women’s cancers. She created the DOvEEgene test, a breakthrough test that can detect ovarian or endometrial cancers using DNA analysis early, which is key to survival.

“Dr. Lucy Gilbert’s work has been nothing short of extraordinary—she has left an indelible mark on Canada and the world,” shares Annie Koutrakis, M.P. for Vimy. “Presenting this award was a true honour.”

For decades, ovarian and endometrial cancers have been among the deadliest, claiming far too many lives. They’re known as the ‘silent killers’ because the high-grade subtypes, which account for most of the deaths, often present with no symptoms and have spread to distant organs by the time the cancer is detected. This is why a screening test is essential. However, Dr. Gilbert is determined to change this reality, making early detection routine and saving thousands of lives.

At the MUHC Foundation, there is an urgent push to fund better health care for women. Since 2016, our donors have raised over $6 million for DOvEEgene, highlighting just how much this groundbreaking project resonates with people—because we all know someone who has been affected by cancer.

“The MUHC Foundation is proud to celebrate Dr. Gilbert, a trailblazer who has shattered countless glass ceilings and is revolutionizing women’s health. DOvEEgene holds a special place in our hearts, as we’ve witnessed this trial grow, save lives through early detection, and touch countless people. Now, we are on the brink of seeing it become the new standard in women’s cancer care,” shares Marie-Hélène Laramée, President and CEO of the MUHC Foundation.

Dr. Lucy Gilbert’s groundbreaking work has captured attention both within the MUHC community and beyond. Among her many accolades, she was named one of Canada’s Top 25 Women of Influence in 2021 and has twice been recognized by Québec Science magazine for her revolutionary discoveries.

“Women’s health research has lagged for decades, contributing to the stagnant survival rates for ovarian and endometrial cancers, but DOvEEgene is poised to change this. The trial is now in its final stages before it becomes available to women in Canada and around the world. Our big dream for cancer care is to make this test as routine as a pap smear,” shares Dr. Gilbert.

One thing is very clear: DOvEEgene is more than a diagnostic tool—it’s a revolution in cancer care, ensuring a lasting, multigenerational impact on women’s health.

“With DOvEEgene in its final steps before approval by Health Canada, there is a sense that we’re living through a historic moment for women’s health research—and Dr. Gilbert and the MUHC are at the forefront of it,” states Dr. Lucie Opatrny, President and Executive Director of the MUHC.

You can still be a part of this transformative moment in women’s health care. Join us to stop ovarian and endometrial cancers by donating to DOvEEgene today: https://muhcfoundation.com/works/stop-ovarian-cancer