This page is dedicated to the memory of past CCMG members and significant contributors of the Genetics Community.
Dr. Peter Ray
Peter was a distinguished scientist whose work left an enduring mark on the fields of molecular genetics and diagnostic innovation, shaping approaches that influenced clinical practice and emerging genetic and genomic technologies. He completed his PhD in 1975 in the Department of Medical Biophysics at the University of Toronto, where he studied the regulation of gene expression in bacteriophage lambda, followed by postdoctoral studies at Stanford University School of Medicine examining neural cell adhesion factors in eye development. After returning to Toronto as a postdoctoral fellow with Dr. Louis Siminovitch, he joined the Department of Genetics at SickKids in 1980.
As part of a golden era of human genetics at SickKids, Peter contributed to early disease gene discovery efforts. In 1985, he collaborated with Dr. Ronald Worton on seminal papers co-published in Nature (1985, 1987, 1988) describing the identification and characterization of the gene responsible for Duchenne and Becker muscular dystrophy (DMD/BMD). During his tenure, he served in leadership roles including Head of Molecular Genetics in the Department of Paediatric Laboratory Medicine and Facility Director at The Centre for Applied Genomics (TCAG), working closely with colleagues across the hospital and Research Institute.
In 1987, Peter established one of the world’s first molecular diagnostic laboratories to offer carrier testing and prenatal diagnosis for families with DMD and cystic fibrosis. Under his leadership, the laboratory grew rapidly to become one of the largest paediatric molecular diagnostics facilities in North America, processing more than 15,000 samples per year and providing testing for more than 30 genetic disorders. His group published extensively on the development and implementation of molecular testing and collaborated with academic and industry partners, earning an international reputation for innovation and excellence. It is no stretch of imagination to say Peter was the ‘godfather’ of DNA diagnostics testing in Canada.
Beyond his scientific accomplishments, Peter was widely respected as a mentor and colleague. He worked closely with many of the figures who shaped modern human genetics in Canada and helped train and guide generations of laboratory geneticists, clinicians and researchers at SickKids, the University of Toronto and beyond. He was an original Fellow of the Canadian College of Medical Geneticists and a Founding Fellow of the American College of Medical Genetics, reflecting his role in shaping the early governance and standards of diagnostic genetics laboratories.
Peter was also a steadfast advocate for expanding and improving genetic testing, contributing to the development of laboratory guidelines and engaging in many thoughtful discussions about the future of genomic medicine. The landscape of clinical molecular genetics at SickKids, in Canada and around the world would look very different without his pioneering contributions.
Perhaps most importantly for so many of us at SickKids and the University of Toronto, Peter was a colleague and friend. No matter what your rank or stage of career, he was never shy about offering his thoughts on your science (or anything else), and if you listened and emerged somewhat unscathed, you were invariably a better person for it. He always remained engaged with the science of the day and was an outstanding writer, teaching so many of us how a “top-down” structure benefits a grant. There are too many other stories to share. I will simply close by saying that my favourite times with Peter were spent talking science and decidedly not playing golf (because he always won).
We extend our heartfelt condolences to his wife Dr. Irene Andrulis, his family, friends, and all those who had the privilege of working with him.
Thank you,
Steve Scherer
Dr. Elizabeth Ilves
1933 – 2024
Elizabeth Juliet Ives died peacefully in her home at Amica Douglas House in Victoria, B.C., on May 22nd, at the age of 91 after a short battle with pancreatic cancer.
Elizabeth was born and raised in England, before completing her medical degree at the University of Glasgow, with a specialization in Public Health. With a spirit of grand adventure, she left England for Canada, arriving in Saskatchewan in the early 1960’s as a Medical Health Officer, just at the exciting moment in Canada’s history when our public health system was being born. Her medical work took her all over the province (e.g., doing outreach with Indigenous communities in the north, giving wellness clinics for young children entering school), and eventually led to a residency in pediatrics, and a developing interest in medical genetics. It was an exciting time in medicine, as the genetic basis of many medical conditions was becoming better understood, and Elizabeth went on to get a Master’s Degree in Human Genetics from the University of Michigan, eventually returning to Saskatchewan to set up the Clinical Genetics Department at the medical school in Saskatoon. Read more...
Dr. Don Whelan
1936 – 2024
Dr Don Whelan passed away May 1, 2024 at the age of 87 years. Don graduated from McGill University Medical School and went on to specialize in pediatrics and genetics at the Montreal Children’s Hospital. He moved to McMaster University in Hamilton in the early 1970s where he remained for the rest of his career. He initially practiced clinical genetics out of temporary trailers until the new McMaster University Medical Centre hospital opened in 1972. Soon after, he established the Biochemical Genetics Laboratory and served as its medical director until he retired in 2002. He continued to practice clinical genetics and metabolics throughout his career, continuing with locums even after his retirement. Read more…
Dr. Emil Skamene
1941 – 2024
Dr. Skamene served the Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre (RI-MUHC) as Scientific Director from 1999 to 2006. It was his vision that led to the early plans and eventual launch of the RI-MUHC at the Glen site. In his research, Dr. Skamene paved the way for immunogenetics, making major contributions to scientific understanding of infection and immunity. He discovered the genes that control susceptibility to infectious diseases such as tuberculosis, leprosy and malaria. With his team, he identified a gene, NRAMP1, which confers on carriers the ability to resist mycobacteria. Read more…
Dr. Helen E. Hughes
1944 – 2024
Dr. Helen Hughes was born and raised in the small village of Tudweiliog, on the northern coast of the Llyn Peninsula in Wales. She developed an interest in pursuing medicine as a career when visiting her cousins, several of whom were nurses. She graduated from the Welsh National School of Medicine in 1967. After a false start in Obstetrics & Gynecology, she decided to pursue Pediatrics, training initially in Liverpool, England, then Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario (through a connection with Dr. Michael Partington) and later at SickKids in Toronto.
Helen recalled being fascinated by Mendelian inheritance during a high school zoology class and chose a book called Elementary Genetics as a book prize. Later, her interest in clinical genetics was peaked while observing Dr. Noreen Rudd visiting children who had interesting laboratory findings on the wards at SickKids. During a month-long rotation in Genetics, she decided on a career in Clinical Genetics, a field that was in its infancy in the early to mid-70’s. During her clinical fellowship she also worked closely with Dr. Andrew Sass-Kortsak. After further training in Edinburgh, Scotland, Helen was hired as a Pediatrician and Geneticist at SickKids in 1975. She became a Fellow of the CCMG in 1977, one of the first who entered the CCMG by examination.
Helen’s main clinical interest was dysmorphology where she made a substantial contribution in advancing this discipline. She was an excellent diagnostician, one that others sought out for help with difficult cases. She was also an excellent teacher, supervising nine clinical genetics fellows at SickKids.
Another major achievement was Helen’s pioneering work in building five outreach genetics clinics in northern Ontario. Initial funding was provided by the IODE, and based on the success of the program, was later taken over by the provincial government. These northern clinics allowed thousands of patients to receive clinical genetics services close to home, rather than travelling long distances “downtown” or not being seen at all. It was a model used by other jurisdictions in Canada and beyond to build their own outreach programs.
Helen moved back to Wales in 1986, where she was hired by Dr. Peter Harper to build a similar outreach clinical genetics program for the population in North Wales. She divided her clinical practice between her Cardiff practice and her northern clinics, making the long drive once per month.
After her retirement, with so many close friends and colleagues in both countries, Helen spent her remaining years dividing her time between her home in Cardiff and her condo in Toronto. She loved travel, visiting with friends, good books, opera and theatre. She will be dearly missed by all of those who knew her.
Dr. Vazken Der Kaloustian
1937 – 2024
Born in 1937 in Musa Dagh, Turkey, Vazken’s life was marked by immense dedication to medicine, the Armenian community, and his family.
Vazken had a distinguished career in pediatric medicine and genetics. After earning his medical degree from the American University of Beirut, he completed his training at Boston Children’s Hospital and Johns Hopkins University. Over the course of his career at the American University of Beirut, the Montreal Children’s Hospital, and McGill University, he published numerous scientific works and made significant contributions to genetics research. Read more…
Dr. Norma Jean Leonard
1961 – 2023
Norma was part of the Edmonton genetics clinic for 24 years! At times, she was the only general geneticist in town. She was very much loved by her patients and valued for her competence and ethics by her colleagues in the clinic and the Edmonton pediatric community at large. We all knew Norma had a great sense of humor, but she was at the same time very private. She was exemplary not only in her professional life, but also in her dedication to her two daughters who she loved unconditionally and her devotion to her elderly parents. Norma will be in all our memories for a long time as we continue to follow her patients and mourn wholeheartedly for her premature departure.
Dr. Charles Scriver
1930 – 2023
It is with great sadness that the CCMG acknowledges loss of our colleague, Dr. Charles Scriver, who died on April 7, 2023 (https://www.remembering.ca/obituary/charles-scriver-1087442363/). Dr. Scriver was a medical genetics pioneer, a provincial, national and international leader, a highly respected Biochemical Geneticist, and an important mentor to many in our community.
Dr. Scriver was an inspirational leader whose contributions to the field of biochemical genetics have set a lasting benchmark for excellence, collaboration and innovation. Along with Clarke Fraser, he established the McGill Group in Medical Genetics, which became the longest active biomedical research Group in the history of the MRC/CIHR. He was also one of the group that advocated for and founded the CCMG in 1975. As a Clinician Scientist at McGill University and the Montreal Children’s Hospital, he helped elucidate the genetic pathology of several inborn errors of metabolism and contributed to the development of novel diagnostic tests, screening protocols and metabolic therapies. The CCMG Founders Award for Career Achievement recognized his foundational work in 2003, yet his legacy and impact on medical genetics extends far beyond any award or accolade bestowed.
Beyond his academic achievements, Dr. Scriver was also a passionate educator and mentor. He inspired generations of geneticists and was the inaugural recipient of the CCMG Clarke Fraser award for excellence in mentorship and teaching. Dr. David Rosenblatt, a respected Geneticist at McGill University, once remarked “My entry into the area…was not driven primarily by an interest in medicine or genetics, but by exposure to a mentor who would discuss with you a career path…[I] saw the enthusiasm of the work, the enthusiasm of Scriver…” (Canning et al. 2013.PMID:28155521). The “enthusiasm of Scriver” will live on through his many trainees, mentees and colleagues to no doubt drive advancements in medical genetics for years to come.
