Mary Heersink School of Global Health and Social Medicine celebrates grand opening

Six people in suits an dress clothes stand with balloons in front of a banner and wooden doors.

Pictured at the unveiling of the Mary Heersink School for Global Health and Social Medicine, from left: John Kelton, executive director Michael G. DeGroote Initiative for Innovation in Healthcare; Susan Tighe, incoming McMaster president; Mary and Marnix Heersink; Sonia Anand, associate vice-president of Global Health; and Paul O’Byrne, dean and vice-president of the Faculty of Health Sciences.

May 26, 2025

The newly established Mary Heersink School of Global Health and Social Medicine opened its doors with a celebratory launch event held on May 22, 2025. The event marked the advancement of new collaborations and initiatives related to social medicine and entrepreneurship, global surgery, and humanitarian work.  

Rooted in McMaster University’s legacy of excellence in global health, the school is anchored by the Departments of Medicine and Health Research Methods, Evidence, and Impact (HEI) and will build on their robust master’s and PhD programs.  

This gift represents a portion of the gift made by Alabama physician and entrepreneur Marnix E. Heersink and his wife Mary in February 2022 to boost McMaster’s role as a hub for biomedical innovation, entrepreneurship, and global health.  

“The profound generosity of Marnix and Mary Heersink enables us to realize our vision, build on McMaster’s global health successes, and expand our positive global impact,” said Paul O’Byrne, dean and vice-president of the Faculty of Health Sciences. “This school represents a bold and timely evolution of McMaster’s longstanding commitment to global health.” 

Sonia Anand, as associate vice-president of Global Health, serves as the inaugural leader of the Mary Heersink School of Global Health and Social Medicine. Anand, who has a distinguished career in global and population health research that addresses health inequities, is guiding this transformative initiative. 

A group photo of people sitting down, posing for the camera. Chairs with ribbons are in front of them.
Global Health faculty and staff pictured with Sonia Anand, Mary and Marnix Heersink, Susan Tighe and Paul O’Byrne at the grand opening celebration.

“The celebration of the Heersink gift and the official opening of the Mary Heersink School of Global Health and Social Medicine was an incredible finishing touch to the efforts of many faculty and staff to deliver on exciting educational programs, global and glocal research projects and our humanitarian initiatives,” said Anand. “We are excited to build these together and make an impact around the world and in our local community.” 

The celebration commenced with a sign unveiling, followed by addresses from key figures, including Professor Anand, Mary Heersink, incoming McMaster University President Susan Tighe, Acting Provost Jerry Hurley, Secretary of State for Sport Honourable Adam van Koeverden, and the Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences Paul O’Byrne. The remarks focused on the history of the global health program led by Andrea Baumann, the history of the international educational consortium, and the future of innovation and impact in global health and social medicine.   

Following the launch, attendees engaged in a reception featuring refreshments, live entertainment, and opportunities to connect with faculty, advisor board members, community partners, and students. The event also featured McMaster musicians and a live artist who captured the event using environmentally conscious watercolour paints and additional mixed media. The art piece will be showcased publicly in the Michael G. DeGroote Centre for Learning and Discovery (Room 3500) within the next few weeks.