This partnership, involving the Centre hospitalier universitaire (CHU) Sainte-Justine and the Faculty of Medicine at the Université de Montréal (UdeM), aims to address critical health challenges affecting vulnerable populations.
The initiative is funded by a $4 million corporate donation from Intact and a $1 million combined contribution from the company’s CEO, Charles Brindamour, and Intact Canada CEO, Louis Gagnon. The personal donations are part of broader philanthropic efforts by the Brindamour and Gagnon families to support healthcare and educational institutions.
“Our support for this unique initiative demonstrates Intact’s ongoing commitment to building resilient communities and actively contributing to a brighter future,” said Brindamour. “By investing in the community wellbeing in the regions where we operate – in Quebec, across Canada, and globally – we are making a concrete and lasting difference for all of society.”
The Centre of Excellence, built on lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic, will focus on improving the diagnosis, management, and treatment of infectious diseases among vulnerable populations, particularly pregnant women and preterm infants.
The collaboration between CHU Sainte-Justine, one of North America’s largest pediatric hospital centers, and UdeM, one of the world’s foremost francophone medical faculties, will drive research, develop new therapies, and train the next generation of health professionals in the field.
“Thanks to Intact’s support, and by combining our cutting-edge expertise in maternal and child health with that of the Université de Montréal, the Centre of Excellence in Infectious Diseases will allow us to better serve all populations, including the most vulnerable, and optimize our efforts in research, prevention, diagnosis and treatment of infections, ultimately transforming the lives of generations,” said Isabelle Demers, CEO of CHU Sainte-Justine.
The Intact Health Resilience Initiative will focus on addressing the growing burden of infectious diseases, particularly antibiotic resistance, and prepare communities to manage future health crises. The initiative’s work will include developing early strategies to improve health outcomes for at-risk groups and creating innovative solutions in maternal and child health.
“Thanks to Intact’s vision and generosity, the Centre of Excellence in Infectious Diseases – which brings together the expertise of both the University and its affiliated hospital – will be able to take flight,” said Daniel Jutras, rector of UdeM. “Together, we will better protect vulnerable populations against future pandemics and address the urgent challenge of antibiotic resistance.”
What are your thoughts on the new collaboration? Let us know in the comments below.
