Discoveries revolutionized the diagnosis and management of cancer and immunology
Prof. Heather Munroe-Blum, Principal and Vice-Chancellor of McGill University, and the Hon. Arthur T. Porter, Director General and CEO of the McGill University Health Centre (MUHC), welcome the news that Dr. Phil Gold is to be inducted into The Canadian Medical Hall of Fame. In 1965, Dr. Gold co-discovered the carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), the first clinically useful human tumour marker that revolutionized the diagnosis and management of cancer. At a ceremony in April 2010, Dr. Gold and five other distinguished inductees will join the ranks of the existing 76 laureates who have pushed the boundaries of knowledge to improve human health.
"When we talk about our institution's role in transforming health care, we often mention such luminaries as Dr. Wilder Penfield, Sir William Osler and Dr. Maude Abbott who have helped put the MUHC on the world map," noted the Hon. Arthur T. Porter. "These pioneers' contributions to medicine will always be emblematic of our rich heritage but today I wish to underscore another facet of their impact, namely how they and all those who have followed in their footsteps inspire new generations to pursue excellence. Dr. Gold is one of these remarkable individuals. I am honoured to call him both a colleague and a friend."
Dr. Gold was born in Montreal and has remained faithful to his native city for most of his life. A brilliant mind with a distinguished record of scientific achievement in immunology and cancer, Dr. Gold is Professor of Medicine, Physiology and Oncology in the Faculty of Medicine at McGill and Executive Director of the Clinical Research Centre at the Montreal General Hospital, which is part of the Research Institute of the MUHC. He is known to many as a down-to-earth, caring physician, an inspirational leader and a gifted teacher-the latter being clearly of great importance to him: "I am very honoured to be included among the pantheon of great physicians in the Medical Hall of Fame," said Dr. Gold. "Many of them were my teachers and colleagues; from my perspective, the most important thing I've ever done is teach."
Dr. Gold's passion for teaching resonates with Prof. Munroe-Blum: "This has been a great year for McGill. We're very proud that faculty members, scholars and alumni have earned two Nobel Prizes, three Killam Prizes and two Steacie Memorial Fellowships. These awards and Dr. Gold's distinction as the latest inductee in The Canadian Medical Hall of Fame speak volumes to the quality of our professoriate and our commitment to attracting the best from Canada and around the world to support graduate students and the excellence of our programs."