[img_inline align=”right” src=”http://padnws01.mcmaster.ca/images/whelan_event.jpg” caption=”Pictured at Tuesday’s event are Paul Whelan, centre, with donors Nancy Gordon and David Braley. Photo credit: Robert Tatlock”]McMaster University has announced the creation of the David Braley and Nancy Gordon Chair in Urology. The chair was made possible by a $1-million contribution from David Braley and his wife Nancy Gordon, to be matched by the University.

David Braley is president of Orlick Industries Ltd., a company he began in 1969. His achievements in the business world were recognized by McMaster with an honorary degree in the year 2000. Nancy Gordon is a registered nurse, who trained and practiced in Hamilton hospitals.

J. Paul Whelan, associate professor in the department of surgery, is the inaugural holder of the David Braley and Nancy Gordon Chair in Urology. Whelan is the founder of the McMaster University Urology residency program and the McMaster Institute of Urology at St. Joseph's Healthcare.

Whelan is overseeing the development of a research program in Urology at McMaster University including studies into the initiation of prostate cancer, treatment of prostate and kidney cancer, and laparoscopic surgery of the kidney and prostate.

Surgeons at the McMaster Institute of Urology have introduced laparoscopic surgery for the treatment of kidney and prostate cancer and have performed over 600 cases since 2001. These techniques have lowered blood loss, shortened recovery times and significantly decreased pain and suffering.

During his distinguished career Whelan has brought many innovations in surgery to Hamilton including techniques to remove kidney stones through keyhole incisions and laser treatment a number of conditions in the urinary tract.

“This chair provides me with the opportunity to develop a world-class facility for the treatment of urologic diseases here in Hamilton”, said Whelan. “The McMaster Institute of Urology will provide sub-specialty care in Urology with excellence in research, education and clinical care.”

Peter George, President and Vice-Chancellor, McMaster University, says that each endowed chair creates cascades of benefits to the University through the magnetic effect they have on research dollars, the brightest graduate students, and the best staff.

“We can only imagine the breakthroughs that will come from people like Dr. Paul Whelan, who devote themselves to a level of innovation that defines the excellence we have all come to expect of Canada's research university of the year.”

John Kelton, dean and vice-president, Faculty of Health Sciences notes the new chair's work is far-reaching, with the potential to impact on the health care of those in our community, our country, and the world.

David Braley and Nancy Gordon previously established two endowed chairs at McMaster University – a Chair in Family Medicine with a focus on communications between patients and their physicians, and a Chair in Advanced Manufacturing Engineering.