History

What is the MUHC?

The original partner hospitals that make up the McGill University Health Centre (MUHC)—the Montreal Children's, Royal Victoria, Montreal General and Montreal Neurological hospitals and the Montreal Chest Institute—along with McGill University, make the MUHC the leading institution it is today. In April of 2008, the Lachine Hospital and Camille-Lefebvre Pavillion became the newest members of the MUHC.

Milestones

A quick glance at a few of the major accomplishments made at the MUHC over the past two centuries:

2008

New Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at the Montreal Chest Institute: The new ICU includes individual rooms with flat-screen TVs, patient lifts and an enhanced ventilation system and nursing monitoring station. The $1.8 million project was financed by the Montreal Chest Institute Foundation through the “Best Care For Life” campaign.

The world’s first robot anesthesiologist, “McSleepy:" The world’s first robot anesthesiologist, “McSleepy”, joined the surgery team this year. The MUHC-developed technology constantly monitors patients during surgery and adjusts and administers anesthetic drugs, allowing its human colleagues to focus more on other aspects of direct patient care.

2007

Adolescent and Young Adult Oncology Program: Adolescents and young adults have a lot to deal with: leaving home, starting university, and launching a career. For some, there is another life-altering source of stress: a diagnosis of cancer. Ready to help is the Adolescent and Young Adult Oncology Program.

The Child Development Program: Based at the Montreal Children’s Hospital, the Child Development Program helps children who require special assistance with complex issues such as socio-emotional health, language or behaviour.

Enlisting robots to help with surgery: The newest member of the MUHC health care team is actually a machine – a surgical robot to be precise. Robotic surgery allows surgeons to perform prostate surgery more quickly and with greater precision, for faster recovery

Family medicine comes to the community: Good family medicine starts with good access. That’s why the MUHC Family Medicine Department relocated this year to a highly-accessible, extended-hours clinic in the heart of NDG.

Lifesaving new procedure a resounding success: In a world’s first, surgeons at the MUHC, led by Dr. Renzo Cecere, implanted a minimally-invasive cardiac support system, called the Impella 5.0, into a patient suffering from acute rejection after a heart transplant. The life saving operation allowed the patient’s condition to stabilize and respond to anti-rejection medications.

2005

First frozen egg baby born in Canada: The McGill University Health Centre (MUHC) in Montreal is pleased to announce the first successful birth in Canada resulting from frozen eggs. Read the press release.

Surgeons at the MUHC have successfully implanted a new kind of mechanical heart in two patients, the first time this new technology has been used in Canada. Read the press release.

2004

MUHC Doctors Perform First Artificial Ureter Reconstruction in Canada: Dr. Steven Paraskevas, McGill University Health Centre (MUHC) transplant surgeon, and Dr. Maurice Anidjar, MUHC urologist, recently performed the first artificial ureter reconstruction in Canada.

A first-ever study of how evolving diagnostic and therapy guidelines in conjunction with community programs affect breast cancer population mortality. Read the press release.

2003

Investigators at the Research Institute of the MUHC identify a gene that regulates the susceptibility to tuberculosis.

An international research team led by MUHC Research Institute scientists Dr. Erwin Schurr and Dr. Thomas Hudson, identify a gene on chromosome 6 that makes people vulnerable to leprosy.

2002

Mechanical heart device (Berlin heart) is used successfully for the first time in Canada at the MCH as a bridge to transplant on the youngest patient ever in North America.

Launch of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation Centre for Beta Cell Replacement at McGill University and Université de Montréal, headed by Dr. Lawrence Rosenberg of the MUHC

MUHC researchers identify a gene underlying a common form of epilepsy.

Investigators from the department of Obstetrics and Gynecology find that organs can be successfully transplanted following freezing and storage in liquid nitrogen.

2001

First hospital in Quebec (MUHC team) to perform EXIT Procedure (EX-utero Intrapartum Treatment) to deliver a baby

2000

First Foetal Diagnosis and Treatment Group: Developed as a McGill University Health Centre (MUHC) team

1999

Doctors deliver the world's first twin birth following drug-free in-vitro maturization.

1998

The MUHC becomes the first teaching hospital among Canada's universities to eliminate film in CT Scans, MRI's and ultrasound.

1997

First Transcultural Psychiatry Clinic in Quebec

1996

First pediatric hospital in Quebec to create a Short Stay Unit

First Multicultural Clinic in Quebec

1995

First pediatric voice and speech laboratory (Gustav Levinschi Laboratory) in Canada

1994

First pediatric hospital in Quebec to offer transoesophageal echography for young children

1993

First hospital in Quebec to have a Pediatric Intermediate Care Unit

First pediatric hospital in Quebec to offer magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)

1991

First hospital in Quebec to offer Extra-Corporeal Membrane Oxygenation - ECMO

First living donor pediatric renal transplant program in Quebec

First hospital in Quebec to develop a Pediatric Advanced Life Support Program (PALS)

1990

Doctors perform Canada's first hearing device bone-implant on a child.

First hospital in Quebec to establish an Injury Prevention Program

1988

Heart transplant to the youngest recipient ever in Canada

1986

Doctors perform Quebec's first Cochlear implant in a child.

1985

Canada's youngest liver recipient undergoes successful organ transplant.

1981

The first North American mini-cyclotron are installed.

1980

Doctors perform Canada's first pediatric bone marrow transplant.

1977

First CT scan performed in a pediatric setting in Canada

1975

Canada's first EMI body scanner is installed.

First hospital in Canada to establish a community pediatric research program

1973

Canada's first CT scanner is installed.

1971

First hospital in Quebec with a Pediatric Burn Unit

1966

First therapeutic heart catheterization in Canada: A life-saving procedure to create a hole within the heart of a "blue baby"

1960

First Canadian pediatric hospital to open a centre for children with learning disorders

1958

Doctors perform the first kidney transplant in Canada.

First Mental Assessment and Guidance Clinic for the intellectually handicapped in Quebec

1957

Pioneering of open heart surgery and first operation in Québec on a child

1950

First pediatric hospital in Canada to establish a Psychiatry Department

First pediatric hospital in Canada to establish a Department of Medical Genetics

1946

First cardiac catheterization performed in Canada

Canada's first cyclotron, the second largest such machine in the world, is installed in the Foster Radiation Laboratory.

1938

Canada's first operation to repair a congenital heart defect is performed

1937

The development of the first Canadian oto-laryngological soundproof room

1933

First Speech Therapy department in a Canadian pediatric hospital

1932

First respirator in the world designed: Later version known as the "Iron Lung"

1896

First clinical X-ray taken in Canada

1825

McGill creates Canada's first medical school.

1822

Dr. William Robertson performs the first-ever operation at the newly built Montreal General Hospital (now MUHC).