A Generous Gift from the Gloria Baylis Foundation to Support Education and Training for Underserved Countries
Montreal, October 9, 2024. — The CHU Sainte-Justine Foundation and Université de Montréal (UdeM) are proud to announce a transformative $2.5 million gift from the Gloria Baylis Foundation to create a permanent endowed fund supporting pediatric cardiology education. The Dr. Jean-Claude-Fouron Pediatric Cardiology Fellowship Fund will finance international fellowships, allowing doctors from underserved regions to receive advanced training at CHU Sainte-Justine.
Focusing on minimally invasive procedures, this initiative honours the legacy of late Dr. Jean-Claude Fouron, a renowned pediatric cardiologist who inspired Dr. Joaquim Miró’s mission to save lives and expand global access to advanced pediatric cardiology.
Furthermore, the Gloria Baylis Foundation and the Shah Family Foundation have joined forces to support short overseas missions conducted by Sainte-Justine Au Coeur du monde—agreeing to each contribute over $315,000, to accelerate the implementation of these minimally invasive procedures in some of the world’s most vulnerable regions.
Transferring Knowledge to Build Expertise and Save Lives
Over the past 40 years, the field of congenital cardiac interventions has advanced rapidly. Before 1982, all cardiac malformations were corrected through surgery. Today, over two thirds of babies born with a heart defect are treated using minimally invasive techniques, like catheterization, sometimes in conjunction with surgery.
Unfortunately, access to these life-saving procedures remains unequal worldwide. Consequently, many infants with simple malformations cannot receive treatment. Likewise, patients with complex malformations, who could benefit from catheterization procedures to stabilize their condition until definitive treatment, often find themselves without viable options.
“With the generous support of our donors, we aim to equip medical teams in low-income and emerging countries with the skills to perform these minimally invasive procedures and save lives,” explains Dr. Joaquim Miró, Full Professor at the Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, UdeM, and pediatric cardiologist at CHU Sainte-Justine. “Priority will be given to fellows who are committed to returning home to share their knowledge through teaching and training others—ensuring a lasting and sustainable impact.”
“Families from around the world are receiving a remarkable gift, and we are deeply grateful to the Gloria Baylis Foundation and the Shah Family Foundation for their extraordinary generosity, which will bring about meaningful change,” declares Delphine Brodeur, President and CEO of the CHU Sainte-Justine Foundation. “Philanthropy has been woven into the fabric of Sainte-Justine since day one. This commitment from visionary donors empowers medical teams to work together towards a better future and continuously improve the quality of care—here, beyond our walls and across borders.”
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On the main picture: Michael Pecho, Frank Baylis, Valerie Baylis, Kris Shah, Delphine Brodeur, Isabelle Demers, Daniel Jutras, Dr. Patrick Cossette, Dr. Joaquim Miró.
Source :
CHU Sainte-Justine Foundation
Contact :
Julie Veilleux, Director, Communications
514 345-4931, ext. 7958
jveilleux@fondationstejustine.org
