For the over three million Canadians living with a respiratory disease, the Montreal Chest Institute (MCI) at the McGill University Health Centre (MUHC) is a lifeline. At the forefront of respiratory medicine for over a century, the extensive data that comes out of the MCI’s research laboratories informs respiratory care across the country. Supported by the MUHC Foundation’s $10 million Dream Big: Breathe Easier campaign, the MCI’s specialists are working to provide highly specialized care for Quebec adults living with asthma, cystic fibrosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), lung cancer and more.

“The MCI has long been a leader in respiratory medicine, combining world-class care and innovative research under one roof to help people breathe easier.” – Ron Olivenstein, Director of the MCI and MUHC Respiratory Division.

For the seventh consecutive year, the MCI has been recognized as one of the World’s Best Hospitals in Newsweek’s 2025 rankings, earning it the distinguished title of “All Time Champion”—a prestigious recognition reserved for hospitals that have consistently outperformed global standards.

“The MCI has long been a leader in respiratory medicine, combining world-class care and innovative research under one roof to help people breathe easier. We are incredibly proud of this recognition, which reflects the dedication of our teams and those who support us by making what we do possible,” shares Dr. Ron Olivenstein, Director of the Montreal Chest Institute and MUHC Respiratory Division.

Did you know that the MCI’s physician-scientists were the first to recognize the lung cancer risk posed by exposure to asbestos, as well as to create a personalized treatment for asthma and latent tuberculosis? This type of innovation is made possible through the support of donors to the MUHC Foundation, who have raised millions of dollars for the MCI to date, allowing its specialists to focus on what matters most: breathtaking research and breath-giving care.

“The MUHC Foundation is proud to fund innovation and secure the Montreal Chest Institute’s position as a leader not just in Canada, but on the world stage.”  – Marie-Hélène Laramée, President and CEO of the MUHC Foundation

“I would like to spotlight our generous donors whose vital support ensures that this groundbreaking research and exceptional care remain possible. The MUHC Foundation is proud to fund innovation and secure the MCI’s position as a leader not just in Canada, but on the world stage,” states Marie-Hélène Laramée, President and CEO of the MUHC Foundation.

Every dollar donated to the MUHC Foundation paves the way for lifesaving advancements in the field and helps recruit world-renowned talent like Dr. Darcy Wagner, Canada Excellence Research Chair in Lung Regenerative Medicine, Meakins-Christie Laboratories. Dr. Wagner is a leading bioengineer at the MCI who is working with sophisticated 3D bioprinters to reconstruct parts of a lung from scratch.

“With only 7,000 lung transplants performed annually worldwide and millions of patients waiting, we are working to revolutionize treatment options for those with severe lung disease. The therapeutic possibilities of such technology are endless and are the future of personalized medicine,” explains Dr. Wagner.

The MCI blends research, teaching, and patient care to develop innovative, personalized prevention and treatment strategies. Dr. Basil Petrof, Director of the McGill Respiratory Division and MUHC Respiratory Research Program, is leading a groundbreaking initiative known as the The Living Laboratory. This innovative project is harnessing AI to analyze millions of data points and detect patterns like genetic responses to treatments or early signs of lung disease. This deeper understanding will pave the way for highly personalized and preventive treatments and will serve as an umbrella for all other research projects at the MCI.

“The MCI has always been a vibrant hub for innovation in respiratory health, and to be consistently recognized as such on the international stage is a great honour. The teams of dedicated health care professionals and researchers at the MCI are working together not only to develop the highest quality treatments but also to redefine the future of respiratory medicine,” says Dr. Petrof.

As a global leader in respiratory care, the MCI attracts the most sought-after minds in medicine. Its experts are leaders in respiratory research and care, and their solutions—rooted in a multidisciplinary approach—are like something out of science fiction.

“Our team continues to push the boundaries of what is possible in respiratory care and research, while keeping our focus squarely on every patient we are privileged to look after. This honour belongs to all the health professionals, scientists and administrative staff who have together built our success,” states Dr. Kevin Schwartzman, Associate Chair for Research, Department of Medicine, McGill University; past Director of McGill and MUHC Respiratory Divisions (2014-2023)

Dr. Anne Gonzalez, Director of the MCI Day Hospital and Interventional Pulmonology Program, is using advanced technology, known as robotic bronchoscopy, to transform the model of care for lung cancer screening across Quebec—the #1 cause of cancer-related deaths globally.

“Bringing robotic bronchoscopy to the MUHC represents a step toward the future of health care, and especially lung cancer care. This new tool will help us diagnose lung cancer and other serious conditions early, when they are more treatable. Our goal is to lay the groundwork for a transformative project that becomes integrated into Quebec’s Health and Social Services Network,” explains Dr. Gonzalez.

While the MCI’s experts are busy in the clinics and research laboratories, philanthropy is their driving force. Every dollar donated can make the difference between the standard of care and excellence, enabling them to go above and beyond what is expected. The MUHC Foundation is proud to be a part of this movement to help people breathe easier and live longer and is thankful to their large community of donors who make this possible.

Want to help people breathe easier? Visit the MUHC Foundation’s website to discover how the MCI is transforming care—and join us in building a future where no one struggles to catch a breath: https://muhcfoundation.com/works/breathe-easier.

The MUHC Foundation is accredited by Imagine Canada for excellence in non-profit accountability, transparency and governance. https://muhcfoundation.com