Claude Roy MD

Digestive System

Born:

October 21, 1928, Québec City, Québec

Died:

July 2, 2015

Education:

MD - l’Université Laval

Pairing scientific insight with compassion for his young patients, Dr. Claude Roy was regarded as one of the early pioneers in paediatric gastroenterology. An outstanding clinician, teacher and researcher, Dr. Roy greatly contributed to the metamorphosis of Ste-Justine Hospital into the paediatric university hospital it is today with an international reputation for exemplary care and for superb training and research programs. After completing his medical degree at l’Université Laval and his paediatric training at McGill and Harvard, he spent six years at the University of Colorado where he began an academic career in which research was always at the core of his academic activities.

His major research contributions are in the areas of infant nutrition, metabolism of bile acids and fatty acids, chronic liver disease in infants and Cystic Fibrosis. Along with his Denver colleague and close friend, Dr. Arnie Silverman, he published the first textbook of the nascent subspecialty which is still today after its 4th edition regarded as the “Bible of the Subspecialty.”

Upon his return to Canada, Dr. Roy became Director of Research at Ste-Justine at a time when research was viewed as a luxury. As head of the GI service, he emphasized the importance of integrating a strong research component to a training program which, over the years, trained more than 60 paediatric gastroenterologists scattered over three continents. As Chair of paediatrics, he led the charge for the recruitment of a number of clinician scientists and convinced the authorities that the future of the hospital would be played out in the research area. He remained very involved with his institution and was Associate Director of its Research Centre.

Throughout his career, Dr. Roy has been committed to promoting recognition of paediatric gastroenterology through his activities with a number of professional organizations. He was a Council Member, Director of Programs and Principal Advisor to the President at the Medical Research Council of Canada, now the Canadian Institutes of Health Research. Over the years he served as chair and board member of several disease-related foundations to support their training and research programs, and was a strong supporter of the mission of The Canadian Medical Hall of Fame. He was on the Board of the Centre of Excellence, AllerGen, and was very active in the Canadian Nutrition Society.

Because of his dedication, hard work and contributions to science and medicine, Dr. Roy was honoured with many national and international awards. He received an honorary doctorate from the Université de Genève in 2003, and was made an Officer of the Order of Canada in 1990.

REMEMBERING CLAUDE ROY