¿´Æ¬ÊÓƵ

About the GBDO Banner

History

Gerald Bronfman PortraitGBDO Wall Plaque

TheÌý¿´Æ¬ÊÓƵ University Department of OncologyÌýwas founded in 1990 by then Dean of Medicine,ÌýDr. Richard Cruess.ÌýIt was the first such department in Canada, having been made possible by a generous donation from the Bronfman family in memory of Minda de Gunzburg, daughter of Samuel and Saidye Bronfman and wife of Baron Alain de Gunzburg. A second generous donation from theÌýMarjorie and Gerald Bronfman FoundationÌýallowed clinical research in oncology at ¿´Æ¬ÊÓƵ to flourish, and in May 1992, theÌýGerald Bronfman Centre for Clinical Research in OncologyÌýofficially opened its doors. Other endowments were also established in the early days of the department. In June 2016 the Department of Oncology was renamed theÌýGerald Bronfman Department of OncologyÌýand on February 9, 2017, the Department headquarters moved to a suite of offices at 5100 de Maisonneuve Blvd West.

The inaugural Chair of the Department of Oncology wasÌýDr. Brian Leyland JonesÌý(1990-2000), withÌýDr. Henry ShibataÌýappointed as Associate Chair in 1995. Dr. Shibata served as Interim Chair (2000-2001) and was replaced byÌýDr. Gerald BatistÌýwhoÌýserved as Chair from 2001 to 2010.ÌýProf. Eduardo FrancoÌýbecame Interim Chair in 2011 and was subsequently appointed as Chair (2013-2023).ÌýDr. Armen AprikianÌýserved as Interim Chair for the last four months of 2023 until the appointment of the current Chair,ÌýDr. Lucy GilbertÌý(January 2024 – Present).

Additional information about the history of the department:Ìý
Shinder, G.A. and Franco, E.L.Ìý¿´Æ¬ÊÓƵ Oncology - Traveling through time, looking back and seeing the future.Ìý30thÌýAnniversary of the Department of Oncology. 2020

Batist, G. and Shinder, G.A.ÌýThe ¿´Æ¬ÊÓƵ University Department of Oncology: structure depicts the shape of evolving knowledge. Current Oncology; 15(3): 28-35, 2008.

Back to top