2020-2021 Annual Report

Vital Support for Vital Care

We are pleased to present the fruits of a year marked by humanity, resilience and innovation.
Thank you to our partners, donors and Governors. Without your incredible generosity, none of this would have been possible.

Sections at a Glance

COVID-19 – Research and Innovation – Cancer – Modernization of the MGH – Trauma

Hockey 911 – Mental Health – Financial Report – Volunteers – Corporate Partners

Reaching and exceeding

Dear friends,

The COVID-19 pandemic will go down in history as one of the monumental crises in recent decades, but it is not the first time that the Montreal General Hospital (MGH) has faced such a challenge. In the 200 years since it opened, this institution that we have the honour to support has overcome more than its fair share of obstacles by relying on the innovation, cooperation and passion of its medical teams.

We are fortunate to be able to rely on the commitment of a strong community that is more motivated than ever to support vital care. This year you once again answered the call. Thanks to you, we were able to quickly finance essential and innovative research projects, including an initiative to adapt snorkel masks as an alternative to N95 masks, and the creation of a COVID-19 Biobank which allows scientists to collect biological samples and better understand the virus in order to develop treatments.

You have given our teams the means to adapt to this crisis, and these learnings will serve our patients for years to come.

This year marks the 200th anniversary of the Montreal General Hospital, a pioneering establishment of the McGill University Health Centre (MUHC) that has always faithfully served the public in spite of the significant changes that have occurred in Quebec’s health system. To mark this important anniversary several activities will be organized throughout the year, starting with a virtual exhibition which features photographs, artwork, text and videos and tells the story of our hospital: www.mgh200.com. Although gatherings are still limited under the current circumstances, we hope that you will take a moment to celebrate this important milestone with us.

As one of the first public healthcare institutions in the history of Montreal, the MGH has always been able to count on the support of the community to push forward the limits of medicine, making your generosity the cornerstone of its success to this day.

From the bottom of our hearts, we thank you for being there to provide vital support for vital care.

Download the PDF version of the Annual Report

McGill University Health Centre

“On behalf of the Board of Directors of the MUHC, it is my privilege and pleasure to recognize and thank the Montreal General Hospital Foundation for its contributions to excellence and innovation. We extend our deepest gratitude to its donors, those who are longstanding but also those who stepped up to help frontline workers in the pandemic, for never losing sight of the needs of a hospital that has been always prepared to serve its community for 200 years, and done so with immense dedication and pride.”

— Peter Kruyt, Chairman, Board of Directors of the McGill University Health Centre

“This past year has been emotionally and physically gruelling for the teams at the Montreal General Hospital. Despite these unsettling times, they have managed to remain leaders in saving lives and contributing their vast knowledge to education and research.

As The General celebrates its 200th anniversary this year, we thank Montrealers for helping shape our heritage with generous contributions to the Montreal General Hospital Foundation, and supporting the future of vital care in modern facilities.”

— Dr. Pierre Gfeller, MD CM, MBA, President and Executive Director, McGill University Health Centre

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COVID-19: Vector for Change and Call to Action

This past year was marked not only by COVID-19 but also by the incredible generosity of our community.

Many companies, organizations and individuals alike chose to support our teams on the front lines by providing them with meals, hygiene and care products and other supplies that enabled them to take a moment for themselves and keep their energy up in these difficult times.

Bringing Comfort to Isolated Patients

At the height of the crisis, visits to hospitalized patients were prohibited across the province. Fortunately, thanks to a partnership with Telus, we were able to distribute over thirty electronic tablets to various MUHC institutions. This gave hospitalized patients the ability to see and talk to their loved ones, reducing their stress and isolation.

Telemedicine at Light Speed

Due to the pandemic, the Montreal General Hospital’s clinics had to be quick to find ways to keep up with their patients remotely by setting up doctor-patient phone consultations, video conferences or webinars. Many alternatives have been employed to maintain our services while limiting outings and in‑person appointments.

Your generosity has allowed us to finance the research of Dr. Sofia Nene, a resident in geriatric medicine, under the supervision of Dr. Suzanne Morin. Their goal is to better understand and identify the challenges that virtual medical appointments can cause for elderly people so that better tools can be developed to support them.

Why Are We Not All Equal When It Comes to Infections?

A Dedicated Biobank to Better Understand COVID-19.

In 2020, the MUHC Infectious Diseases and Immunology team, led by Dr. Donald C. Vinh, set up a COVID-19 Biobank within the Research Institute of the MUHC (RI-MUHC). Their project is part of the Quebec Biobank, mandated by the Fonds de Recherche du Québec – Santé and Génome Québec. Beyond this government mandate, the RI-MUHC COVID-19 Biobank aims to serve the entire Quebec scientific community. The MGH Foundation is proud to support this great province-wide collaborative project, thanks to your generosity.

“If the fight against COVID-19 has been so complex, it is largely because of the lack of information available at the outset. That’s why the COVID-19 Biobank is so important. We will be able to use the biological samples collected today for multiple analyses, and the infrastructure we’ve set up may serve research in other fields, like infection control, for example.”
– Dr. Donald C. Vinh

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Research and Innovation

The Research Awards epitomize the spirit of collaboration and innovation between the MGH Foundation and you, our generous donors. In collaboration with the Research Institute of the MUHC (RI-MUHC), we are committed to funding extraordinary research that will benefit our patients well into the future.

Supporting Research Right Here in Montreal

In 2020, more than 80 awards were disbursed, with a total value of 1.3 million dollars.

For some winning researchers, this meant receiving the support they needed to carry out the initial steps of their research projects. For others, it meant solidifying their leadership in well-established fields.

Meet the 2020 laureates

Snorkel Masks to the Rescue

In collaboration with the RI-MUHC, we launched a project to adapt snorkel masks as a reusable alternative to N95 masks.

“Knowing that we have a Personal Protective Equipment backup plan has a tremendous impact on mitigating anxiety among health care workers. Therefore, the mask is meeting two important goals: enhancing hospital staff and patient safety by reducing the chance of transmission, while also lowering anxiety among hospital staff.” – Dr. Dan Deckelbaum, Trauma Surgeon and Critical Care Physician at the Montreal General Hospital (MGH-MUHC)

CODE LiFE Ventilator Challenge

Montreal team Haply won the CODE LiFE Ventilator Challenge, an international competition launched jointly with the Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre (RI-MUHC) in partnership with the McGill University Faculty of Engineering. Over 1,000 teams from 94 countries took part in the competition to design a new type of lowcost, easy to build and use ventilator for patients with COVID-19.

“Now, as we celebrate the winning design, we must gather the resources to bring the Haply device to the millions around the world that have — and continue to have — limited access to mechanical ventilators.” – Reza Farivar, Professor and Canada Research Chair in Integrative Neuroscience at McGill University

Learn More

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50% Of Our Population Affected by Cancer

Led by Dr. Lorenzo Ferri, the MGH-MUHC Thoracic Surgery team works closely with hospitals and patients across Quebec, including the Jewish General, St. Mary’s, the Lakeshore General, Verdun and Gatineau hospitals, as well as the Centre hospitalier de l’Université de Sherbrooke (CHUS) and the Centre hospitalier universitaire de Québec (CHUQ). Cutting-edge equipment such as specialized gastroscopes and bronchoscopes enable immediate assessment of tumours for centralized, personalized cancer care for patients.

At the national and international levels, our team of clinician-researchers has distinguished itself both by the quality of its patient care and by the innovation it has demonstrated in its various research endeavours. Thoracic researchers are working to identify new personalized treatment approaches to beat cancer, particularly by developing one of Canada’s first living biobanks which enables the identification of cancer genetics and appropriate treatment choices. These combined efforts are aimed at limiting the impact of surgery and treatment on patients’ quality of life while increasing their chances of survival.

One revolutionary project is the “Organ on a Chip,” a device the size of a USB key that allows scientists to grow cancer cells in conditions that accurately mimic those where the cells would normally develop in the human body.

“This is the most advanced stage in the application of living biobanks. The approach allows us to test the drug or drug combinations to be used to fight the unique tumors of each patient. If our work is conclusive, we will be the first in the world to use “Organ on a Chip” technology to fight cancer.” – Dr. Lorenzo Ferri, Head of the Division of Thoracic Surgery and Director of the MUHC Upper Gastrointestinal Cancer Program

Watch a Webinar With Dr. Ferri

To date, over $17M has been raised through our CODE LiFE campaign in support of thoracic cancers.

THANK YOU!

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Modernization of the MGH

Improving Our Facilities to Benefit Our Patients and Medical Teams

Over the last year, the MGH emergency department was equipped with a new annex to increase its capacity. The new modular unit includes seven single negative‑pressure rooms and a nursing station, an addition that proved critical during COVID-19 and will remain so afterward.

The next step in the modernization plan is the redesign of the trauma bay by splitting the current space into two separate rooms, and adding a third. In addition to offering more privacy for patients and limiting the risk of contamination, these renovations will also facilitate the work of the medical teams.

“The Montreal General Hospital is in great need of modernization. The medical teams are performing cutting-edge surgeries and teaching the latest techniques. We are working with the MUHC leadership and the MGH Foundation to continually improve our work environment, to provide our teams with facilities which meet their needs and the excellent standard of care we give to the public. We are very grateful to be able to carry out these renovation projects, thanks to the generosity of the MGH Foundation’s donors.” – Dr. Liane Feldman, Surgeon-in-Chief and Medical Director of the Surgical Mission of the MUHC

Ophthalmology: New Equipment for an Even Closer Look

The MGH Foundation partnered with Lions International, the Retina Foundation of Canada and Gail Jarislowsky to donate a high-tech surgical microscope to the Ophthalmology Department of the McGill University Health Centre (MUHC). This instrument combines the latest optical advances in surgical microscopy with high-quality digital imaging and a 3D display system.

The Montreal General Hospital is the first hospital in Canada to adopt this new technology.

“For the first time, surgeons will have more than one way to obtain immediate feedback on tissues with microscopic precision, for every surgical manoeuvre. I can see things with a level of detail that was impossible until now. The results from these surgeries are definitely better. Also, the three-dimensional projection of the operative site on a large television screen makes it easier to teach our residents, students and nurses, and for them to understand.” – Dr. John Chen, Associate Professor, Department of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, McGill University, and Surgeon, Division of Adult Ophthalmology, MGH-MUHC.

Welcome to the New Satoko Shibata Family Heart Centre

The MGH has a new cardiology centre, where teams will conduct genetic testing to understand why some people develop heart conditions at a young age or without showing symptoms. The goal is to test entire families to detect specific genetic conditions and prevent other family members from suffering a potentially fatal cardiovascular accident.

“The idea behind the Family Heart Centre is brilliant. We are big believers in the power of prevention and the importance of collaboration between different specialists, and that is exactly what this new space will enable. We are happy to have been able to support an initiative that facilitates an interdisciplinary approach. Supporting healthcare has always been a priority for us, whether that means nursing, research support or programs that facilitate international knowledge exchange. Our partnership with the MGH Foundation makes perfect sense.” – Richard and Satoko Ingram

Learn more about Richard and Satoko Ingram’s involvement

In February 2021, Claire Webster chose to use her birthday to raise funds in support of the cardiology teams at the MGH.

“Cardiovascular disease can affect anyone, at any time — particularly women. It is important never to take our health for granted. I have had a pacemaker for 34 years, and my sixth one was implanted on February 6, 2020. I am a living example of the heart’s resilience.” – Claire Webster

Read Her Story

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Mission: Saving Lives

The multidisciplinary teams at the Dr. David S. Mulder Trauma Centre treat the most complex cases resulting from traffic collisions, falls, sports injuries and violent crimes. It serves the area south of Highway 40, including Montreal, the South Shore, Montérégie and northern Quebec, including Cree and Inuit communities — all told, a territory with a population of over two million. Patients arriving at the emergency centre generally have multiple fractures, hemorrhaging, internal or external injuries and, in many cases, severe head trauma.

John Feifer was one of those patients.

At 16, he suffered multiple blows to the head and had to undergo a 14-hour brain surgery, followed by a long and difficult rehabilitation period. Today, John is giving back to those who helped him with a fundraiser in his name on action.codevie.ca.

“I will never forget how far I have come and I want to recognize all the incredible work of the medical teams that helped me get back on my feet. By using the Foundation’s fundraising platform, I am able to solicit my network – people from different walks of life – to support a cause that is close to my heart. It’s a way for me to share my story and raise awareness about the importance of supporting trauma care.” – John Feifer

Read his story

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Signature Event: Hockey 911

The second edition of our Hockey 911 event — and the first to be held virtually — raised $270,000 in support of vital care at the Montreal General Hospital (MGH).

This is a great result for the annual event, which celebrates more than 100 years of collaboration between the Montréal Canadiens and the MGH’s emergency and trauma teams.

Watch the 2020 Edition of Hockey 911

On November 17, 2020, over a thousand people tuned in live from the comfort of their homes to watch our hosts Gregory Charles and Chantal Machabée interview Shea Weber, Brendan Gallagher, Nick Suzuki, Claude Julien, Kirk Muller, France Bélanger, Dr. David Mulder, Dr. Willem Meeuwisse, Graham Rynbend, Dr. Ewa Rajda and Dr. Thierry Pauyo. Surprise guest Laurent Duvernay‑Tardif also brought a new perspective on the world of professional sports and medicine.

Thank you to all who participated! Stay tuned for the 2021 edition.

Learn More

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Priority: Mental Health

Now more than ever, we know the importance of having quick access to mental health care in the public health network. Fortunately, thanks to the support of a generous donor, the Montreal General Hospital has been equipped with a special unit for urgent assessments for several years: the Jacqueline G. Angus Mental Health Emergency Unit. But there is still much work to be done to improve accessibility to mental health care.

Tools For Young Adults And Their Support Networks

On September 10, 2020, we held a virtual interactive conference on Youth and Young Adult Mental Health and Wellness. This free online event was organized by Dr. Laurie Plotnick and her husband Max Reim, who shared their family’s story to raise awareness about the urgent mental health needs of young people. Over 700 people watched this impassioned conversation hosted by Florence K, with three mental health specialists from the MGH-MUHC: Dr. Howard Margolese, Dr. Gail Myhr and Dr. Simon Ducharme.

“Our family’s experience is not unique. We are still on this difficult uphill battle with our own family but are committed to helping the millions of other youth and young adults and their loved ones affected by mental illness. We aim to revolutionize awareness, access and advancement of mental health and wellness for youth and young adults.” – Max Reim

Read Their Story

Run and Walk for Women’s Mental Health

Thanks to the Pharmaprix LOVE YOU program and the over 1,300 people who took part in the sixth Montréal edition of the Run/Walk for Women — also virtual for the first time — we were able to raise $200,000 in support of initiatives for women suffering from perinatal depression and anxiety or living with borderline personality disorder. Thank you again to all participants! Remember that physical exercise is highly beneficial to good mental health. We count on you for the 2021 Edition!

More information

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Financial Report

Another Great Financial Year

The pandemic has brought its share of challenges, and we are very grateful to our community and partners for their incredible generosity this year.

In the fiscal year from April 1, 2020 to March 31, 2021, we raised $18.6 million in donations.

Donations

Major gifts accounted for a large portion of revenue, as did annual giving and estates.

Our strong financial management also enabled us to add an additional $8 million in investment income, as well as $0.4 million from other sources, for a total revenue of $27 million for the 2020-2021 fiscal year.

The past year has once again demonstrated the importance of investing in medical research. This is why we provided $7.2 million to support research and $1.8 million to support teaching. We put patient care at the centre of our priorities, which is why $4.6 million has also been invested to improve their experience.

Our administration expense ratio of 12.7% is well below the Canadian average for large hospital foundations. This means that your donations are really used to meet the priority needs of the hospital and its teams.

None of this would have been possible without the incredible generosity of our community, as well as the hard work of the Foundation team and its Board of Directors.

THANK YOU

Read our Detailed Financial Statements

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Thank You to our Volunteers!

We would like to thank all the volunteers who are involved with the Foundation. A special thank you to our Board of Directors and to our CODE LiFE Leaders, a circle of volunteers who act as ambassadors in their communities to support the MGH Foundation’s fundraising activities.

Meet our CODE LiFE Leaders

2020-2021 Annual Report

Vital Support for Vital Care

We are pleased to present the fruits of a year marked by humanity, resilience and innovation. Thank you to our partners, donors and Governors. Without your incredible generosity, none of this would have been possible.

Sections at a Glance

COVID-19 – Research and Innovation – Cancer – Modernization of the MGH – Trauma

Hockey 911 – Mental Health – Financial Report – Volunteers – Corporate Partners

Reaching and exceeding

McGill University Health Centre

COVID-19: Vector for Change and Call to Action

This past year was marked not only by COVID-19 but also by the incredible generosity of our community.

Bringing Comfort to Isolated Patients

Telemedicine at Light Speed

Why Are We Not All Equal When It Comes to Infections?

A Dedicated Biobank to Better Understand COVID-19.

Research and Innovation

Supporting Research Right Here in Montreal

Snorkel Masks to the Rescue

CODE LiFE Ventilator Challenge

50% Of Our Population Affected by Cancer

To date, over $17M has been raised through our CODE LiFE campaign in support of thoracic cancers.

THANK YOU!

Modernization of the MGH

Improving Our Facilities to Benefit Our Patients and Medical Teams

Ophthalmology: New Equipment for an Even Closer Look

Welcome to the New Satoko Shibata Family Heart Centre

In February 2021, Claire Webster chose to use her birthday to raise funds in support of the cardiology teams at the MGH.

Mission: Saving Lives

John Feifer was one of those patients.

Signature Event: Hockey 911

The second edition of our Hockey 911 event — and the first to be held virtually — raised $270,000 in support of vital care at the Montreal General Hospital (MGH).

Thank you to all who participated! Stay tuned for the 2021 edition.

Priority: Mental Health

Tools For Young Adults And Their Support Networks

Run and Walk for Women’s Mental Health

Financial Report

Another Great Financial Year

In the fiscal year from April 1, 2020 to March 31, 2021, we raised $18.6 million in donations.

Donations

THANK YOU

Thank You to our Volunteers!

Our Board of Directors

Thank You To Our Corporate Partners

We are pleased to present the fruits of a year marked by humanity, resilience and innovation.
Thank you to our partners, donors and Governors. Without your incredible generosity, none of this would have been possible.