MUHC team wins Prix de cancérologie for second consecutive year

For the second consecutive year, an MUHC team has won the Ministry of Health and Social Services Prix de cancérologie, recognizing its work to improve cancer care through innovation. 

MONARC is a project that helps cancer specialists across the network access next-generation sequencing (NGS) pathology results more quickly. These results provide molecular information that helps oncologists select targeted treatments. 

“MONARC reduces the median time to access reports from several weeks to just one or two days, helping clinicians make faster, better-informed treatment decisions,” says Chelsea Ilagan, Associate to the Director of Nursing. 

By providing centralized, secure access to results, MONARC streamlines a process that previously relied on manual methods, including fax and USB drives. The program also responds to the priorities outlined in Québec’s 2024–2026 Cancer Action Plan, including equitable and timely access to molecular testing and cancer treatments. 

“It’s surprising how something so simple can have such a huge impact,” says Dr. Pierre Olivier Fiset, who helped develop the project. 

Using existing resources and approved Microsoft technology, MONARC responds to a need raised by partners in the McGill Integrated University Health and Social Services Network (RIUSSS). As of September 2026, the platform had 32 registered users and provided access to approximately 19,000 molecular reports for 10,000 patients. It is currently being tested at St. Mary’s Hospital and the Jewish General Hospital, with the goal of expanding its availability across the network. The initiative has also attracted interest from other health-care institutions, including Santé Québec and the CHUM. 

“Having timely, accessible molecular results helps clinicians make informed treatment decisions. MONARC is an important step toward improving access to these results across the network,” says Dr. Meti, medical oncologist. 

The project brought together collaborators from across the MUHC, including the Cancer Care Mission, pathology, oncology, nursing, project management, bioinformatics and software development, with support from the Rossy Cancer Network and the Cancer Care Mission Quality Improvement team. 

Project team:  

Dr. Pierre Olivier Fiset 
Dr. Alan Spatz 
Dr. Nicholas Meti
Dr. Andrea Gomez
Derek Shi 
Chelsea Ilagan 
Virginia Bruman 
Kristina Atanasova
Fatima Zahra Fawzi 
Samantha Santilli 
Selda Elmas 
Rossy Cancer Network 
Cancer Care Mission Quality Improvement team

The award is being celebrated across the MUHC, with leaders recognizing the team’s innovation and the potential impact of MONARC on patient care. 

“MONARC is the result of a tremendous, innovative effort involving many people. It addresses a long-standing need raised by our network partners by giving clinicians timely access to pathology results so they can initiate treatment plans sooner. This will have a significant impact. A heartfelt congratulations to everyone who made this possible!” says Christine Bouchard, Associate Director of the Cancer Care Mission. 

“Being an innovative organization is becoming an increasingly important part of who we are,” adds Alain Biron, Director of Nursing.