MUHC’s Cedars Cancer Centre aims for smarter chemotherapy scheduling with AI
With support from Scale AI, a new partnership with health technology company Gray will use artificial intelligence to deliver timely chemotherapy treatments, maximize chair availability and support nurses in providing coordinated, patient-centred care.
Made possible through funding from Scale AI, Canada’s global AI innovation hub, the McGill University Health Centre (MUHC) is launching a new collaboration with Canadian health technology company Gray to transform chemotherapy scheduling at theCedars Cancer Centre.
“Thanks to this innovative project, nurses who previously spent time scheduling will be able to dedicate more time to being at the bedsidewhere they are most needed,” says Dr. Lucie Opatrny, President and Executive Director, MUHC. “This is a great example of how artificial intelligence can help us improve efficiency while maintaining the highest standards of care.”
Using advanced AI, Gray’s Care Orchestration Platform, GrayOS, will analyze patient needs, treatment durations, pharmacy preparation times, and chair and nurse availability to ensure smoother daily operations and balance staff workloads.
“This partnership is about reimagining how we deliver care,” says Dr. Alan Forster, Director of Innovation, Transformation and Clinical Performance, MUHC. “Scheduling chemotherapy treatments is a very complex and time-consuming activity. By using AI to coordinate it, we can improve the patient experience while supporting our teams in providing timely, efficient care.”
Scheduled to run from January to December 2026, the project will be developed in close collaboration with nurses, pharmacists, schedulers, and managers at Cedars. Their frontline expertise will play a pivotal role in shaping how the system is refined and seamlessly integrated into the MUHC’s clinical workflows. Ultimately, GrayOS will be able to automatically schedule and adjust patient appointments across every step of chemotherapy treatment, adapting in real time to last-minute changes or cancellations.
“We’re honoured to collaborate with the MUHC, an institution recognized for its clinical and scientific excellence,” said André Diamant, CEO of Gray Oncology Solutions, who also completed his PhD research at the MUHC. “This collaboration is particularly meaningful to me. Together, we share the same ambition: to put technology at the service of people and make care delivery more seamless, efficient and sustainable.”
“This project reflects our shared commitment to continuously innovate in order to improve the care experience for both patients and staff,” adds Alain Biron, Director of Nursing, MUHC. “When we can better align schedules, balance workloads and anticipate needs, everyone benefits, most importantly, our patients.”
This initiative marks another step forward in the MUHC’s mission to harness innovation, collaboration and technology to deliver excellent, patient-centred care.