MUHC in the Media - June 8, 2026

On June 2, the MUHC and The Institute launched the IMPACT Centre, an initiative aimed at accelerating healthcare innovation and the rapid integration of new technologies and treatments into clinical practice. Led by Dr. Alan Forster, the Centre will support projects in areas including artificial intelligence, digital health and advanced therapies. Dr. Rhian Touyz, Executive Director and Chief Scientific Officer of The Institute, and Dr. Lucie Opatrny, President and Executive Director of the MUHC, along with numerous partners, collaborators and media representatives, were present to mark the launch. Global News (watch at 8:00 min), City News, Betakit, Startup Researcher, NoahNews

After believing for years that he was allergic to penicillin, a patient discovered that he was not, thanks to a study involving the Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre (The Institute). His story highlights a little-known reality: most people who think they are allergic to this antibiotic are not actually allergic to it. Dr. Ana Copaescu, an allergist-immunologist at the MUHC and co-investigator of the study, explains why this misconception is so common and discusses the impact that an inaccurate allergy label can have on both patient care and the healthcare system. Le Journal de Montréal

Dr. Don Vinh, an infectious disease specialist and microbiologist at the MUHC and a scientist at The Institute, is part of the international COVID Human Genetic Effort, a consortium investigating genetic variants that may make a small number of people naturally resistant to COVID-19. The initiative aims to identify biological mechanisms that could lead to new treatments and vaccines. In an interview with The Boston Globe, Dr. Vinh provided an update on the group's findings to date, including insights into why some individuals develop severe disease while others remain asymptomatic. The Boston Globe

The findings of a recent global study on maternal mortality conducted by researchers at the University of Washington reveal that the number of maternal deaths in Canada increased by 18% between 2015 and 2023, a rise that stands in stark contrast to data from comparable countries. Dr. Isabelle Malhamé, an obstetric internist at the MUHC and a scientist at The Institute, who did not participate in the study, comments on the reasons that could explain this situation. La Presse

To address the growing problem of overprescribing for seniors, a new Canadian guideline recommends annual medication reviews for adults 65 or older, particularly those taking five or more medications. Dr. Emily McDonald, an internist at the MUHC and a scientist at The Institute, co-led this initiative. CTV News