“I’m excited about the many opportunities provided by this Research Chair,” said Dr. Guillaume Martel. “These include bringing innovative clinical trials and cutting-edge surgical techniques to Ottawa for the benefit of our patients.”The Ottawa Hospital and the University of Ottawa are pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Guillaume Martel as the first Arnie Vered Family Chair in Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Research.
This endowed research chair was established to allow a world-leading clinician-researcher to focus on improving treatment for cancer of the hepato-pancreato-biliary system, which includes the liver, pancreas, gallbladder and bile ducts.
Dr. Martel is a gifted surgeon at The Ottawa Hospital who specializes in the liver, pancreas and biliary tract. Working tirelessly in the operating room, he has saved and prolonged countless lives, particularly for people with cancer.
Dr. Martel has an active research program focused on improving surgical care of hepato-pancreato-biliary cancer patients. In 2016 he was appointed as an associate scientist, an honour only shared by nine other surgeons at The Ottawa Hospital.
In 2018, Dr. Martel was awarded a prestigious $500,000 grant from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research to lead a clinical trial of a novel technique for liver surgery. He has also published 70 research papers and received many awards.
“I’m excited about the many opportunities provided by this Research Chair,” said Dr. Martel, who is also an assistant professor at the University of Ottawa. “These include bringing innovative clinical trials and cutting-edge surgical techniques to Ottawa for the benefit of our patients.”
“Pancreatic cancer is a devastating disease. The Vered Family Chair will not only allow Dr. Martel to continue his important clinical research improving care these patients, but is an incredible opportunity to further strengthen the translational bridge between our scientists and clinicians, allowing biotherapeutic discoveries from our research labs to be evaluated in our cancer patients who need them the most,” said Dr. Rebecca Auer, Director of Cancer Research at The Ottawa Hospital.
“Hepato-pancreato-biliary cancers are amongst the most serious faced by patients and clinicians alike, so the innovation and progress facilitated by this Chair has the potential for huge impact. Dr. Martel is an outstanding academic surgeon and a most deserving first holder of the Vered Family Chair. He represents the excellent academic caliber of recruits who have joined our Department of Surgery over the years,” said Dr. Sudhir Sundaresan, Chair of the Department of Surgery at the University of Ottawa.
This research chair was made possible through generous donations by the Vered Family and other supporters.
The Ottawa Hospital: Inspired by research. Driven by compassion
The Ottawa Hospital is one of Canada’s largest learning and research hospitals with over 1,100 beds, approximately 12,000 staff and an annual budget of over $1.2 billion. Our focus on research and learning helps us develop new and innovative ways to treat patients and improve care. As a multi-campus hospital, affiliated with the University of Ottawa, we deliver specialized care to the Eastern Ontario region, but our techniques and research discoveries are adopted around the world. We engage the community at all levels to support our vision for better patient care. See www.ohri.ca for more information about research at The Ottawa Hospital.
University of Ottawa: —A crossroads of cultures and ideas
The University of Ottawa is home to over 50,000 students, faculty and staff, who live, work and study in both French and English. Our campus is a crossroads of cultures and ideas, where bold minds come together to inspire game-changing ideas. We are one of Canada’s top 10 research universities—our professors and researchers explore new approaches to today’s challenges. One of a handful of Canadian universities ranked among the top 200 in the world, we attract exceptional thinkers and welcome diverse perspectives from across the globe. www.uottawa.ca
Media Contact
Amelia Buchanan
Senior Communication Specialist
Ottawa Hospital Research Institute
Office: 613-798-5555 x 73687
Cell: 613-297-8315
ambuchanan@ohri.ca
