News & Media
Neuro News December 2010
The Neuro News is a monthly electronic newsletter highlighting activities at the Montreal Neurological Institute and Hospital. If you have any comments, please send them to Communications. To subscribe and receive e-mail notification when a new issue becomes available, click here.
December 2010
Director's Corner: Patriarch
It was almost exactly nine years ago, after a full day of interviewing for the MNI Director’s position, that I had my first real talk with Chip. We met in the bar of the Café de Paris at the Ritz, and I finally understood why he was on everyone’s list of whom I had to meet. If I were to be the next Director, Chip would make it happen.
Over drinks, I studied this fellow, a full generation ahead of me, white hair, cornflower blue eyes, scarlet McGill tie, powder blue shirt, white collar, dark suit. Colorful, reserved, impeccably dressed. He expressed deep commitments to McGill and to The Neuro in a way I did not yet understand; I say this because I had wended my career from the State University of New York to New York University to Columbia College of Physicians and Surgeons to The Mount Sinai School of Medicine and Hospital…and I had developed no deep loyalties to any of them. I was happy to work at each place, but was also happy to move on when I thought the time was right. No career roots, no professional loyalties. By contrast, Chip was absolutely embedded in the fabric of McGill and the MNI. He was intensely loyal to both. In the back of my mind, something was beginning to stir. What possibly could engender such dedication and loyalty in someone?
How can we bring you up here? Chip asked. Ever practical, I pulled out a list of items I thought that I would need – a long list, a dozen items at least, that covered lab supplies, salary, moving expenses, French lessons for me…
Chip scanned the list, and with that deadpan look and chuckle I remember so well now, commented, “Well, nice list, and I can tell you right off the bat there will be no problem getting you French lessons…”
What I learned from him over the ensuing years was that it took Chip’s kind of intense commitment and dedication to build and sustain an institute like The Neuro. He had answered a call to service; he appreciated that hundreds of year’s worth of difficult research problems remained to be solved in order to unravel the mysteries of the brain and the diseases that afflict it. To make this happen, he knew that what was needed was extraordinary dedication by people like himself to the work and service of The Neuro. Chip felt the calling to be part of this great adventure. It took me a while, but I understand him now, and I think that all of us who have worked or volunteered at The Neuro have heeded that same call.
As the current Director of The Neuro, I was lucky to have had Chip to guide me these past eight years. He was impartial, always thoughtful and careful in giving advice. Years ago, Alan Gregg of the Rockefeller Foundation, wrote that a Director might benefit greatly from keeping close one or two good advisors who can with total impartiality give a Director the best advice – and sometimes advice that the Director does not really want to hear. Chip would always give me what I recognize now was the best advice.
Chip was a true University Patriarch, one voice in the continuum of architects, dreamers, supporters and philanthropists who championed McGill and The Neuro, a continuum that reaches back to the very conceptual beginnings of these institutions and into the present time. This continuum shaped the MNI - this unending line of strong supporters, including Penfield and his prodigiously talented contemporaries, Osler, Currie, Archibald, Holt, Colip, Gregg, the Rockefellers, McConnells, Websters, and Molsons, and so many, many others.
Chip and I talked often, and I found myself relying on him for advice on all sorts of things. He always championed McGill and the MNI. He was one of those guys who would have fit so easily in those magnificent full length photographic portraits in the James Building foyer – the parade of gentlemen in top hats and morning coats marching across campus one pristine day in the last century. Chip would have been a natural in that ethereal environment of past decades, and yet, like Penfield, he never lost the common touch.
I miss him now, and ardently wish that I had met him earlier in my life.
Please send any comments about the Director's Corner to David Colman
Recent News
Warren Chippindale (1928-2010)
Owen Egan
Warren grew up in Montreal and graduated in 1949 from McGill University with a B.Com, Honours Economics degree, while earning recognition as a varsity hockey player. Enticed by a brief foray into pro hockey with a team in Verdun, he quickly saw the advantages of a different kind of professional career and became a chartered accountant. Rising in that field, Warren became Chairman and Chief Executive Partner of Coopers & Lybrand in 1971, and also served as International Chairman until his retirement in 1986. Warren was Governor and later Governor emeritus at McGill University, and served The Neuro as a valued member and Chair of the Advisory Board from 1994. More recently, Warren and Joan, his wife of 10 years, established a planned giving program for The Neuro and served as key leaders in the current capital campaign.
Warren was a remarkable advisor, guide, colleague and friend. Many prominent business leaders in Canada credit Warren with giving them early professional opportunities and wise counsel throughout their careers. Those who knew Warren were inspired by his integrity and clarity of thinking, his determination to protect and advance institutions of merit, and by his generous spirit. Warren seemed to have endless time and energy for an ever expanding community of friends who enjoyed his stories and good natured competition on the golf course.
Among his well deserved honors, Warren received a Doctorate of Law, Honoris causa, from McGill University in 1995, The Order of Canada in 1997 and The Lifetime Achievement Award from the Montreal Neurological Institute in 2004. We are honored by his family’s comment that, “Next to his family, The Neuro was his greatest passion.” In accordance with that sentiment, the family has specified that donations may be made to the Joan and Warren Chippindale Circle at the Montreal Neurological Institute and Hospital (for more information, see http://www.mni.mcgill.ca/donate/ or contact the Neuro Development office at 514-398-8825).
The Chippindale family invites colleagues and friends to a celebration of Warren’s life on May 7, 2011. More information about this ceremony will be available later.
Michael Petrides, an outstanding teacher
Owen Egan
Pierre Charbonneau
Brenda Milner was also named a Transformational Canadian by the Globe and Mail for “vision, leadership and action that immeasurably improved the lives of others.” Nominations of Canadians from the fields of business, science and technology, health care, environment, education and community were solicited from a select panel and from the public to recognize those with a passion for positive change and the discipline and focus to achieve outstanding results. We agree that Brenda Milner transformed our understanding of the brain.
Ken Hastings on McGill Board of Governors
Kenneth Hastings was elected as the only full time academic staff member to
the McGill University Board of Governors. Ken, a Professor in the
Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery and an Associate member in the
Department of Biology, previously served as the University Delegate at
McGill for the Canadian Institutes of Health Research. Ken joins the 25
voting members of the Board for a three-year term that will run from
January 2011 through December 2013. Dan Guitton served on the Board of
Governors from 2003-2010.
Feindel lecture at Neurosurgical Conference Day
Neurosurgical residents and fellows delivered presentations on basic
science and oncology, trauma and vascular, peripheral nerves and pain,
functional neurosurgery and epilepsy on Neurosurgical Conference Day. To
complete the academic program for the day, the Theodore Rasmussen Lecture
entitled “The Million Dollar Operation: Cost Effectiveness of the Surgical
Cure For Temporal Lobe Epilepsy” was presented by William Feindel,
Professor of Neurosurgery, Curator of the Wilder Penfield Archive and
Honorary Osler Librarian.
Upcoming Events
Movies, movies and more movies
Join us for a New Year laugh at the comedy/fantasy/adventure/romance movie,
The Princess Bride, at 1 pm, Sunday, January 9 in the Jeanne Timmins
Amphitheatre. This Rob Reiner film starring Billy Crystal, Cary Elwes and
Andre the Giant is fun for the whole family. Admission is FREE - popcorn
and other treats available to purchase.
The Neuro Film Series continues with great films and good discussions
hosted by Neuro scientists – join us for FREE movies at 6:30 pm in the
Jeanne Timmins Amphitheatre on these Thursday nights:
January 13 The Butterfly and the Diving Bell, hosted by neurologist Liam
Durcan
February 10 Bottle Rocket, hosted by neuroscientist David Ragsdale
March 24 Rainman, hosted by neuropsychologist Gabe Leonard
April 7 Extraordinary Measures, hosted by neuroscientist Eric Shoubridge
Quality of life at the end of life, January 26
Robin Cohen, Director of Research, Palliative Care McGill, will speak on
What’s Important to the Quality of Life for People at the End of Life at
Neuropalliative Interdisciplinary Rounds at Noon on January 26 in the
Jeanne Timmins Amphitheatre. A simple lunch will be available before the
lecture. All are welcome and those who will attend should to RSVP by
January 17 to
Debbie Rashcovsky by email
or at 514-398-6047.
In the News
The work of scientists and clinicians at The Neuro is frequently in the news so you can stay up to date by following our media coverage. Those experts recently featured include:Alain Ptito and Angela Genge, were interviewed about brain trauma for Radio-Canada Le Telejournal;
Alain Ptito, whose work on on concussion was featured on Global TV, Radio-Canada Desautels, and Radio-Canada Le Reveil;
Brenda Milner, who was recently named one of 25 Transformational Canadians, was interviewed for CTV Canada AM, La Presse Affaires and The Globe and Mail;
Amit Bar-Or and Donatella Tampieri were interviewed for a CTV News special report ‘Multiple Choice’ about Multiple Sclerosis;
Frederick Andermann, an expert on epilepsy diagnosis and treatment, was featured on Global National News for a report on the first new antiepileptic drug in eight years (November 18, at about the 21 minute mark);
Rolando Del Maestro, Nicolas Phaneuf, and Marie-Christine Guiot, whose work with the neurosurgical simulator Neuro-Touch, was featured on Radio-Canada Decouverte(at the 20:15 minute mark);
Michael Petrides who was awarded the Principal’s Award for Excellence in Teaching, was profiled in The McGill Reporter.
Freelance writer Louise Fabiani speaks with Neuro Director, Dr. David Colman for her latest Neurotopia podcast "The Neuro's Renaissance Man".
Congratulations to ...
Jacques Bougie, OC, member of The Neuro’s Advisory Board and
Kappy Flanders, member of the Neuro Advisory Board and the McGill Board of Governors, who will receive the Distinguished Friend of Education Award from the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE), District 1 at the CASE awards ceremony in January.
Siva Moonsamy, who was named Nurse Manager in the Neuro-Intensive Care Unit and Post-Anesthesia Care Unit at The Neuro. Siva had been interim nurse manager of this unit and has many years of experience including as an Assistant Nurse Manager and Nurse Professional Development Educator at the Royal Victoria Hospital.
Piero Perucca, an Italian neurologist who recently arrived at The Neuro to work with Francois Dubeau and Jean Gotman, was awarded the inaugural Susan Spencer Fellowship given jointly by the American Academy of Neurology, the American Epilepsy Society and the Epilepsy Foundation of America to study the electrophysiological manifestations of focal epilepsy with an aim to providing better guidance of surgical resection as a treatment option for patients with epilepsy.
Of historic note…
Peter Boski from Vancouver provided this information about his mother for our historical records: Marina Boski, Chief Medical Librarian at the Montreal Neurological Institute and Hospital from 1969 to 1990, passed away on August 26, 2004 at age 74 at her home in Montreal. Marina Boski earned her Bachelor’s of Library Science from McGill in 1964, and headed the Neuro Library when it was located on the 6th floor. Claudia Ugolik, who is a Neuro librarian, was hired by “Mrs B” in 1971 and remembers her fondly as a delightful mentor and colleague.
Director - David R. Colman, PhD
Senior Management - Martine Alfonso; Mark Angle, MD; Phil Barker, PhD; Rob
Dunn, PhD; Lucia Fabijan; Tom Gevas; Elizabeth Kofron, PhD; Catherine Rowe;
Donatella Tampieri, MD
Neuro News: Elizabeth Kofron, PhD & Sandra McPherson, PhD
Please send any items for the Neuro News to Sandra McPherson or Beth Kofron.
