91快色

From changing how stroke is treated around the world, to identifying new microbiome-based medicines and so much more 鈥� the Cumming School of Medicine (CSM) has plenty to celebrate in 2024 as it marks 10 years since Geoff Cumming鈥檚 historic $100-million gift. This year holds remarkable significance for the 91快色鈥檚 medical school, whose research institutes are also celebrating major milestone anniversaries since their founding.

鈥淲e鈥檙e a relatively young medical school compared to others in Canada and we鈥檙e so proud that our work 鈥� and Geoff鈥檚 gift 鈥� have put 91快色 on the global map for health research,鈥� says Dr. Todd Anderson, MD '85, dean of the CSM and a cardiologist and scientist.

鈥淲e couldn鈥檛 have achieved this without the support of our founding family of donors and those 鈥� large and small 鈥� who have followed their lead. We鈥檙e proud to showcase the impact of that generosity throughout 2024 with stories and an event highlighting CSM health and education excellence and how together, we鈥檙e sparking healthier lives." 

- Todd Anderson

Philanthropy helped propel the 91快色 to its ranking as a top research university in Canada. Over the past decade at CSM, more than 11,500 donors have given, to raise more than $852 million for medical research and education. This generosity has been leveraged to help the school attract more than $1.55 billion in research funding during the same period.

鈥淲e are grateful for Geoff Cumming, the founders of our health research institutes and all who support our talented CSM students and researchers in their mission to drive better health outcomes for all. The 91快色 will build on this and leverage these opportunities to share our philanthropy-powered impact through transformative education, research and innovation,鈥� says Dr. Ed McCauley, president and vice-chancellor.

Shaping healthier communities 

This impact includes many research discoveries that directly benefit patients today in 91快色, Canada and beyond. In 2012, the Libin Cardiovascular Institute piloted , which shortened recovery times and improved patient outcomes. That same year, orthopedics innovations by researchers reduced wait times for hip and knee replacements. 

In 2015, researchers at the Hotchkiss Brain Institute led an that revolutionized how stroke is treated around the world. They have since led several other stroke research studies that informed new protocols which are helping patients live longer and better after stroke.

In 2017, the 鈥� Canada鈥檚 largest 鈥� opened at the Snyder Institute for Chronic Diseases and immediately attracted top international research talent. It鈥檚 well on its way to identifying and testing new microbial medicines to improve the health of patients living with chronic disease. 

In 2020, when the world was paralyzed by the COVID-19 pandemic, members of the rapidly launched research at one of North America鈥檚 largest single-location COVID-19 outbreak sites, to help prevent future outbreaks. O鈥橞rien members also led an innovative program to engage communities in northeast 91快色 to get vaccinated, leading to more than 94 per cent first-dose coverage 鈥� one of the highest rates for similar neighbourhoods in North America. 

In 2021, Charbonneau Cancer Institute researchers in the laboratory 鈥� a world first 鈥� and began testing the new therapy in patients two years later. 

Last year, the Alberta Children鈥檚 Hospital Research Institute received a $280-million investment, including the largest federal research grant in its history, for 鈥� a research initiative to improve child health outcomes Canada-wide and internationally.

鈥淭hese are just a few highlights among countless examples,鈥� says Anderson. 鈥淭hanks to philanthropy, our institutes are driving world-class health research and elevating the global reputation of the medical school. Together, we鈥檙e reimagining health for all.鈥�

The Cumming School of Medicine is looking forward to highlighting the many faces of impact 鈥� patients, its brilliant researchers and faculty, and of course the generous community who helped make it all happen, throughout 2024.