A heartfelt farewell to Dr. Maurice McGregor, O.C., C.Q.,MB, BCh, MD, FRCP(C), FRCP(Lond), FACC —1920-2025

On August 4, 2025, Dr. Maurice McGregor, who shaped indelibly medicine, research, education, and technology assessment at the McGill University Health Centre (MUHC), the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences at McGill University and indeed the Quebec and Canadian health and social services systems, passed away at the formidable age of 105.  He leaves a legacy of excellence and innovation, countless friends, colleagues and students, and a beloved family of children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, and nephews.
 
Born in South Africa in 1920, Dr. McGregor earned his medical degree at the University of Witwatersrand in Johannesburg in 1942 before WWII took him to Italy as a medical officer with the rank of captain in the South African Medical Corps, British 8th Army and U.S. 5th Army. Following the war, he pursued his medical training, including a postdoctoral residency, in internal medicine and cardiology at Johannesburg Hospital and the University of the Witwatersrand, then in London at the National Hospital, Hammersmith Hospital and the National Heart Hospital. In the United Kingdom, he married Dr. Margaret Becklake—another MUHC/McGill guiding light, one of the Montreal Chest Institute’s “Fab Five” and globally renowned pioneer of respiratory medicine and epidemiology, who passed away in 2018. In 1957, the McGregor family moved to Montreal and the couple began sharing a legacy of leadership at our institutions. Cardiologist at the Royal Victoria Hospital (RVH) since his arrival and Professor from 1963, Dr. McGregor served as McGill’s Dean of Medicine (1966-1972), Director of the Division of Cardiovascular Medicine (1972-1974) and Physician-in-chief of the RVH (1974-1979). A researcher as well, Dr. McGregor has more than 180 publications to his credit and is recognized for his novel and decisive contributions to the understanding of pulmonary hypertension and coronary ischemia.

In 1984, the University of the Witwatersrand, his alma mater, asked him to take on the role of dean of the Faculty of Medicine during a difficult period of apartheid. During his tenure, the percentage of black students admitted to the medical school rose from 10% to 30%. Returning to Canada in 1988, Dr. McGregor pioneered and championed the field of health technology assessment, first as president of the Conseil d’évaluation des technologies de la santé du Québec (1988-1994), then through his service as chair of the Technology Assessment Unit (TAU) at the MUHC (2000-2013).

A true gentleman, those who knew him held him in the highest regard, thankful for his insights, warmth, collegiality, and leadership. Rightfully, he was bestowed a number of awards. In 2001, the Ordre national du Québec stated “Une grande rigueur scientifique et un profond respect de l’être humain ont caractérisé l’enseignement de ce professeur de clinique qui a marqué un grand nombre de médecins” when it made him a Chevalier (Knight). In 2010, the Right Honourable David Johnson, Governor General of Canada and former Principal and Vice-Chancellor of McGill, conferred upon him the title of Officer of the Order of Canada for his “lifetime of outstanding achievement, dedication to community and service to the nation.” In 2014, the Canadian Agency for Drugs and Technologies in Health (CADTH, now CDA) honoured him with its Anniversary Medal and by inaugurating the annual Dr. Maurice McGregor Award for rising stars. Finally, in 2020, in honour of his 100th birthday, McGill changed the name of its annual Cardiovascular Research Day to the Maurice McGregor Cardiovascular Research Day, perpetuating his legacy.

To his family and friends, we express our heartfelt condolences as we bid adieu to Dr. McGregor with fondness, respect and deep appreciation. We will remember his wise words when he opened the final Cardiology Grand Rounds at the RVH before the move to the Glen site in 2015: “we don’t do this alone —everything that gets done is a team effort”. 

Lucie Opatrny, MD MSc MHCM FRCPC
President and Executive Director, MUHC