Jacques Genest

Founder of the Clinical Research Institute of Montréal, recognized internationally for the quality and impact of its research and discoveries, Jacques Genest was also at the origin of the Conseil de la recherché médicale du Québec, created in 1963, which then became the Fonds de la recherche en santé du Québec, and the Canadian Clinical research Society, serving as the organization’s president over a two-year period, the first department of biomedical research based in a francophone hospital in Quebec and the Quebec Clinical Research Club.

When he was chairman of the Quebec Health Research Council, from 1963 to 1969, Jacques Genest was awarded a grant of $3 million for the construction and organization of the Clinical Research Institute of Montréal, inaugurated in 1967. Nine years later, the first bioethical centre in Canada was created thanks to the tireless and sustained effort of the reputed scientist.

A figurehead in biomedical research in Quebec and author of several major publications and research papers on arterial hypertension, Jacques Genest was invited countless times to share his knowledge of clinical research with experts and researchers in all parts of the world. Considered a foremost leader in his sphere of activity, Jacques Genest served from 1976 to 1978 as a chairman of the Council for High Blood Pressure Research, set up by the renowned American Heart Association. Furthermore, his team of researchers was responsible for discovering the structure of a hormone extracted from cardiac tissue, a dominant factor in the control of water, salt and blood pressure.

A Companion of the Order of Canada since 1967 and a Grand Officer since 1991 of the Ordre national du Québec, the eminent scientist holds some 12 honorary doctorates, underlining his contribution to medical research. The AlphaOmegaAlpha Honor Medical Society, the Josiah Macy Jr. Foundation and the Harvard Medical School selected him for the Leaders in American Medicine series.

Widely recognized by his peers, Jacques Genest has been awarded numerous distinctions, notably the Gairdner, Stouffer Marie-Victorin and Armand-Frappier awards (Quebec), the Isaak Walton Killam award, the Flavelle Medal presented by the Royal Society of Canada and the Royal Bank of Canada award. He is a member of the Association of American Physicians.

The list of publications he has authored includes more than 700 articles as well as four books.

Dr. Jacques Genest was inducted into the Academy of Great Montrealers in the Scientific category in 2000 and was named a Commander of the Ordre de Montréal in 2016.