The excellence of the Jewish General Hospital is no accident. It counts on its own scientific body, the Lady Davis Institute for Medical Research (ILD), whose reputation shines in Quebec and internationally thanks to the support of the hospital foundation.
Founded in 1934, the Jewish General Hospital (JGH) is now ranked third among the best hospitals in Quebec, according to a magazine survey. Newsweek carried out in 2024. In Canada, it ranks seventh. As he celebrates his 90th this monthe anniversary, the establishment stands out as a leader in health care as well as for the innovations developed there. The Lady Davis Institute for Medical Research being affiliated with it, the hospital benefits from privileged contact with one of Canada’s leading health research institutes.
A mission anchored in the DNA of the Jewish General Hospital
The Lady Davis Institute for Medical Research (ILD) was founded in 1969. Its opening reflected one of the JGH’s deep convictions: the fundamental role that research plays in improving the care and treatment offered to patients. The establishment of the institute thus made it possible to better support projects which, until then, took place almost everywhere in the building, sometimes in imperfect contexts.
Since then, the ILD has greatly advanced science for the greater benefit of the population of Montreal, of course, but also of Quebec and even the entire world. The ILD is recognized as a national and international leader, in particular thanks to numerous collaborations with specialized teams as well as with renowned researchers from all over the world. The institute now brings together more than 200, not counting the 400 staff members and 300 interns who contribute to its success. His achievements include more than 70 global patents, a host of laboratory discoveries and more than 800 clinical trials completed over the past 20 years.
Creating bridges between research, care and teaching
The ILD’s work is structured around four major axes, namely cancer research, clinical epidemiology, molecular and regenerative medicine as well as the psychosocial aspects of the disease. The institution stands out for its rigor (several scientists have been rewarded for their excellence), but its particularity lies more precisely in the link that the institute maintains with the JGH, the Jewish General Hospital Foundation as well as the McGill University.
Normally, the knowledge acquired in the laboratory can take years to be translated into the reality of hospitals and clinics. However, the main links in this chain are interconnected in an exceptional way in the context of the JGH. The research carried out by the ILD can be quickly set up, thanks to the support of the JGH Foundation, then applied to patients at the hospital and, finally, taught to future healthcare personnel. As the teaching center of McGill University, the hospital accounts for 22% of the training provided to medical students and residents. Added to all these steps is access to state-of-the-art medical equipment, one of the priorities of the JGH Foundation.
Such an ecosystem turns out to be as rare as it is crucial. “Fundamental discoveries are essential,” emphasizes Stephen Robbins, PhD, director of the ILD. However, it is just as important to be able to bring these advances to intervention and clinical application. Few establishments have this chain. They have some elements, but they don’t have that connection that goes from the work table to the bedside, as is the case at the JGH. »
Stephen Robbins notes that the COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the pace of drug discovery that can prevent specific blood cells from accumulating in an infected patient’s lungs. These cells can damage the lungs and cause acute lung injury. In 2020, a phase 2 clinical trial was conducted in hospitalized patients and a phase 3 trial is currently underway. The drug has also been approved for a phase 2 trial targeting cardiac surgery-associated acute kidney injury (CS-AKI). “This is a perfect example of how we can go from a laboratory discovery to a clinical trial in a relatively short time frame,” notes Stephen Robbins. Usually it takes more than a decade. »
Combined with the benevolence of staff, this institutional efficiency can make the difference in the trajectory of countless people. According to the 2023 Canadian Cancer Statistics report, 43% of Canadian women and 45% of Canadian men will develop cancer in their lifetime. The Public Health Agency of Canada points out that rapid detection of the disease allows it to be treated earlier. At the same time, the ILD makes it possible to advance research on early detection and possible treatments.
Comprising the Segal Cancer Center, the institute is recognized for its expertise in precision medicine and its innovative work on liquid biopsies. Concretely, this approach makes it possible to detect early signs of cancer using a blood test only. In 2023, the ILD was also leading a pilot project at the JGH to accelerate access to personalized chemotherapy treatments, adapted to the individual’s profile. The repercussions, it is explained, would be major: the duration of treatment could potentially be shortened. There would also be a reduction in exposure to unnecessary cytotoxic treatments and, ultimately, improved outcomes. In other words, ILD initiatives are saving lives and will save more lives.
The essential role of donors
All these promising avenues would not be possible without obtaining upstream funding, the cornerstone of research. Laurent Azoulay, PhD, principal researcher at the ILD, points out that this is a considerable issue for anyone taking their first steps in the field. “At the start of their career, researchers are always looking for funding, which is not always easy. It was mainly thanks to the JGH Foundation that I was able to get started.” His expertise is now proving indispensable. “Very few researchers carry out the same type of research as me in Canada,” confirms Laurent Azoulay, who carries out pharmacoepidemiological studies focused on cancer.
His counterpart, Dr Philippe Lefrançois, emphasizes the risk-taking that perpetual financial support allows. “To advance oncology research, we have to think outside the box,” he explains. Our work would not progress as quickly without donor support, and we would not be able to undertake risky projects. It is thanks to them that the JGH can carry out some of the most innovative oncology research projects in the country.” Same story with Dr. April Rose, who recalls that the effectiveness of projects is premised on the ability to hire a substantial team. “Without the support of JGH Foundation donors, I would not be able to recruit such exceptional staff,” she says. We could not work at such a rapid pace to translate our results into clinical reality.”
The JGH Foundation is promoting a campaign whose name recalls the direct impact between research and care: Tomorrows come to life here. In addition to encouraging science, this fundraising aims to improve the patient experience, support digital health initiatives and immediately respond to emerging hospital priorities. There is strength in numbers, says the adage. It also creates happy tomorrows, as shown by the effectiveness of the ecosystem that revolves around the JGH.
Mission of the foundation
The Foundation’s mission is to promote the advancement of health care and medical research for the citizens of Quebec by supporting the Jewish General Hospital of Montreal. The Foundation provides essential assistance to the hospital aimed at increasing the extraordinary quality of care provided to patients, pushing scientific discoveries further and acquiring state-of-the-art medical equipment.
Donate to the Jewish General Hospital Foundation
This content was produced by the Special Publications team at Duty in collaboration with the advertiser. The editorial team of Duty had no role in the production of this content.
Learn more about Jewish General Hospital Foundation
