MUHC in the Media - December 15, 2025

Dr. Don Vinh, an infectious disease specialist at the MUHC, explains that the combination of Quebec’s low vaccination rates and mutations in the new variant is driving the virus’s rapid and intense spread, giving the impression that it is fueled by a real “sense of vengeance.” The physician strongly recommends getting vaccinated as soon as possible, with the holiday season and family gatherings just around the corner. The Gazette

Darcy Wagner, PhD, a biomedical engineer and a researcher at The Institute, is looking into new ways to treat damaged lungs. With her team, she has created lung tissue using extrusion-based bioprinting with a 3D printer, which could be used to repair the lungs and could reduce the need for lung transplants. She spoke about her work to Global News. Dr. Alan Forster, director for innovation, quality and performance at the MUHC, also commented on this advancement, which is supported by the MUHC Foundation.   

Dr. Giada Sebastiani, hepatologist at the MUHC and investigator at The Institute, was a lead researcher on the Wegovy MASH clinical trial, which led to Health Canada’s approval of semaglutide as the first-ever treatment for severe liver disease. She comments on that news in an article published on Healthing, as well as on the National Post, the Ottawa Citizen, the Vancouver Sun, the Calgary Herald and more news sites.

A new study led by Dr. Sasha Bernatsky, rheumatologist at the MUHC and researcher at The Institute, has linked air pollution exposure and immune-system changes that often precede the onset of autoimmune diseases.  La Presse, City News

Dr. Simon Ducharme, neuropsychiatrist and researcher at the Institute, comments on the recommendation by the Institut national d'excellence en santé et en services sociaux (INESSS) not to reimburse lecanemab, an Alzheimer's drug recently approved by Health Canada. La Presse