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December 17, 2003

Posted on Dec. 17: McMaster University receives Canada’s largest cash gift

Canadian businessman and philanthropist Michael G. DeGroote has given $105 million to McMaster University in an unprecedented display of generosity. McMaster's medical school will be the beneficiary of the largest single cash gift in Canadian history. In tribute, the School of Medicine will now be known as the Michael G. DeGroote School of Medicine at McMaster University, the first Canadian medical school to bear the name of a benefactor. DeGroote, formerly of the Hamilton area but now residing in Bermuda, said that his nearly 20-year friendship with the University reflects his belief in and support of McMaster's vision and its commitment to quality education and outstanding research. Earlier gifts have benefited the business school, the McMaster Museum of Art, epilepsy research, literary criticism and the new student centre. "This gift is intended to support health care research and education," said DeGroote. "Health and health care are clearly the most prominent concerns for Canadians. I am investing in new discoveries in health care and in the delivery of health care. The dividends of that investment will not only impact our community, but others around the world. I am confident of McMaster's ability to maximize the impact of this gift so that its net effect will have far-reaching benefits." A noted entrepreneur, DeGroote purchased and grew Laidlaw Transport Ltd., a company that became the largest school bus operator and third largest waste management company in North America before it was sold in 1988. DeGroote's business ventures have included U.S. companies such as Republic Industries, AutoNation Inc., Century Business Services, Capital Environmental Resource Inc., and the Hamilton Tiger-Cats of the Canadian Football League. McMaster University President Peter George said he is honoured by DeGroote's endorsement and support for the University. "This is an historic gift," he said. "It is not only a landmark for McMaster and the Hamilton community, but for all of Canada. I am profoundly grateful for this magnificent investment in our work and vision. Be assured that we at McMaster take seriously the great responsibility to ensure that we continue to advance our standard of excellence in education, research and innovation." John Kelton, dean and vice-president of the Faculty of Health Sciences, said the gift allows the University to take immediate steps in furthering a bold and ground-breaking vision for the School of Medicine. "The DeGroote family will be proud of the impact this gift will have and will know that they will make many critically important initiatives possible," he said. He said the $105 million donation will be divided between a $64 million endowment fund, supporting education, health care and medical research in perpetuity and a $41 million capital fund directed to construction and outfitting of laboratories and hospital units.

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December 16, 2003

Posted on Dec. 16: Financial plan, sports complex highlight Board of Governors, Senate meetings

Three-year financial plan The Board of Governors approved McMaster's three-year financial plan. The plan presents the University's operating fund, including income from government grants, tuition . . .

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December 15, 2003

Posted on Dec. 15: The delicate art of dancing with porcupines

Developing closer relationships with decision makers can be a balancing act for researchers who need to maintain their ability to conduct independent, rigorous and critical analysis, according to health economist Steve Morgan. By improving the exchange of knowledge between researchers and decision makers, he says this will contribute to better, more relevant research. Morgan will explore pharmaceutical policy issues, by looking at British Columbia's new PharmaCare Policy, at a seminar at McMaster University. The talk, entitled "The Delicate Art of Dancing with Porcupines: Learning to Appreciate the Finer Points of BC PharmaCare Policy", will take place Wednesday, Dec. 17 in the Health Sciences Centre, Rm. 3N5B from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m.

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December 12, 2003

Posted on Dec. 12: McMaster head football coach Greg Marshall to coach CFL Hamilton Tiger-Cats

McMaster head football coach Greg Marshall is the new head coach of the Canadian Football League (CFL) Hamilton Tiger-Cats. Marshall and his staff have compiled an impressive 53-18-2 (including playoffs) record since his hiring at McMaster in 1997. Under his leadership, the McMaster Marauders have won four consecutive Yates Cup Championships, tying an Ontario University Athletics (OUA) record. In 1999, Marshall was named the Ontario University Athletics (OUA) Coach of the Year, and, in 2000, he was recognized with the Frank Tindall Trophy, which is awarded to the OUA and Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS) Coach of the Year. Marshall spent three years with the CFL as a player with the Edmonton Eskimos as a running back, capturing one Grey Gup in 1982 before knee surgery cut short a promising career after the 1984 season. Marshall was an assistant coach at The University of Western Ontario from 1984-1992 and was the offensive co-ordinator from 1992 to 1996. During his tenure, The University of Western Ontario earned Vanier Cup victories in 1989 and 1994.

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December 12, 2003

Posted on Dec. 12: Doing the right thing

Enjoy what you do, but make sure you're doing it for the right reasons. That's the advice for medical students from Peter Dent, a 40-year veteran of pediatrics and medical education. "If you're looking for self-fulfillment it's possible to find that," says Dent. "But if it's your only reason for doing it then you're doing medicine and society a disservice. You have to see medicine not as a way of earning a living, but as a social commitment." Dent's commitment has been a strong one and his medical career during "an explosion of new knowledge" has included many roles. He is currently the associate vice-president, clinical services for the Faculty of Health Sciences. Dent is also a professor emeritus of pediatrics and head of the department's rheumatology division. He is deputy chief of pediatrics for McMaster Children's Hospital and, as a pediatric rheumatologist, has an active practice both at McMaster Children's Hospital and at the Children's Hospital of Western Ontario in London, Ont. This month he was recognized with the designation of Master from the American College of Rheumatology. Only five other Canadians have received the award, which is given to physicians who have significantly furthered the art and science of rheumatology. "It was never an issue of being a doctor," Dent says of his career choice. "It was about being a pediatrician."

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