- Email: [email protected]
Claude C. Roy, MD, October 21, 1928–July 2, 2015
IN MEMORIAM Claude C. Roy, MD, October 21, 1928–July 2, 2015
C
laude Roy, the eminent Canadian physician and scientist, considered one of the founders of pediatric gastroenterology, died in Montreal on July 2, 2015 at the age of 86. He leaves behind a profound and lasting impression upon the spirit of those that had the chance to share time with him, including countless colleagues, trainees and health professionals. Professor Roy was born in Québec, obtained his MD degree at Laval University and completed his residency at McGill University’s Montreal Children’s Hospital. Following a fellowship at the Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, he practiced some years in Québec City before embarking upon an academic career at the University of Colorado, where he was appointed Professor of Pediatrics. In 1970 he returned to Canada to work at Saint-Justine Hospital, University of Montreal, joining Dr Claude Morin in what was, at the time, one of only 4 pediatric gastroenterology and nutrition
Claude C. Roy, MD
services worldwide and where he was to become a leader in the field. Claude’s intellectual curiosity and rigor were limitless, using his many remarkable qualities to shape and influence the practice of pediatric gastroenterology in North America and around the world. This he achieved through his own personal research accomplishments, publishing over 200 original papers and book chapters, as well as editorials on various subjects related to his field. Claude Roy was co-author of the textbook, Pediatric Clinical Gastroenterology, first published in 1971. This work, recognized globally as one of the most authoritative by specialists in the field, was long considered exceptional in that it devoted a large proportion of the text to liver diseases of children. Among the numerous fields of research that had an impact on clinical care, Dr Roy’s contributions showed that in patients with cystic fibrosis (CF), fat malabsorption was not only a result of a digestive phase defect but also involves the absorptive phase. His laboratory and clinical observations include the observation that large fecal losses of bile acids associated with pancreatic insufficiency led to low intra-duodenal concentrations which contribute to fat malabsorption. Dr Roy and his colleagues further demonstrated a particular essential fatty-acid deficiency in patients with CF. He also recognized that hepatobiliary complications increase with age in children with CF and that ultrasound is a good tool for the surveillance of CF-associated hepatobiliary disease. In addition, Dr Roy contributed to the identification and characterization of new diseases such as chylomicron retention disease and an inherited disorder characterized by the association of protein losing enteropathy, congenital hepato-fibrosis, lymphangiectasia, and enterocolitis cystica which are the consequence of a protein glycosylation defect. In the field of nutrition he reported that prematurity-related changes in the lipid content of breast milk as well as in formulas containing more than 40% medium chain triglycerides could have significant side effects in premature infants.
Claude Roy was an outstanding teacher and became a renowned mentor for countless undergraduate and graduate students from around the world. His teaching qualities were recognized early in his career, having been nominated “Best Clinical Teacher” at the University of Colorado. Residents and fellows were attracted to Sainte Justine Hospital because of the level of excellence that Dr Roy established in the division. The GI division and Research Unit of Sainte Justine has trained over 60 pediatric gastroenterologists from around the world, many of whom have become heads of departments, research institutes or clinical divisions. Always an enthusiast, Claude consistently encouraged and supported the career development of countless young fellows and investigators. During almost forty years of outstanding and tireless work at Sainte Justine Hospital, Professor Roy took over major administrative duties as Director of the Research Institute (1977–1982), Chief of the Gastroenterology Division (1982–1991), then Chief of Paediatrics and Chair of the Department of Paediatrics at the University of Montréal (1991–1995). While establishing solid bases at Sainte Justine, Claude found the time and energy to become a major voice in Canadian science as a member of the Medical Research Council (MRC) from 1989 to1995 and later participating in the re-structuring of MRC to become the Canadian Institute of Health Research (CIHR) working as its programs director from 1995 to 1999. Claude Roy’s vision and generosity prompted him to accept leading posts in several Canadian foundations such as the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, the Inflammatory Bowel Diseases Foundation, the Canadian Liver Foundation, and the Arthritis Society. Recognition from his peers was a frequent event including among, many others, the Malcolm Brown Lecturship of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons, the Prix Michel Sarrazin from Le Club de Recherche Clinique du Québec, and the Ross Award for distinguished service to children from the Canadian Pediatric Society. Professor Roy was Gastroenterology 2015;149:511–512
IN MEMORIAM also honoured with an Honorary Doctorate from the University of Geneva, with the first Harry Schwachman Award, the most important prize for a Pediatric Gastroenterologist in North America, as well as the Sass Kortsak Award from the Canadian Association for the Study of Liver. Professor Claude Roy’s lifetime achievements from this extraordinary career and exceptional legacy to science, medicine and society, were recognized by his fellow citizens and the Canadian government with the title of “Officer of the Order of Canada”, by officials in his province with the “National Order of Quebec”, and by his colleagues with his induction into the “Canadian Medical Hall of Fame”. Professor Roy was a lover of classical music, an avid reader and a great sportsman. During his medical studies, he played ice hockey for the Québec Citadelles and the Rouge et Or of Laval
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University. He was always active and took great pleasure in practising sports with his family, especially skiing, cycling, tennis, and sailing. A sociable and endearing man, he had great generosity of spirit and took genuine interest in all of those he met. Above all, the love and devotion he had for his family were immeasurable. He repeatedly acknowledged the support and love of his wife, Simone Saint-Germain, that allowed him to dedicate much time to his 2 passions: medicine and science. He always spoke with pride of his 3 daughters, Sophie, Brigitte, and Genevieve, and couldn’t help keeping us up to date with the performances of his adored grandchildren Gabriel, Sarah, Paul, Caroline, and Kimberley. We will all dearly miss Claude, not only the physician and scientist but above all the exceptional human being and friend we, and everyone who interacted with him, loved.
FERNANDO ALVAREZ CHRISTOPHE FAURE Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition Division CHU Sainte-Justine University of Montreal Montreal, Québec, Canada STEVEN R. MARTIN Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition Division CHU Sainte-Justine University of Montreal Montreal, Québec and Department of Pediatrics University of Calgary Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Reprint requests Address requests for reprints to: Fernando Alvarez, MD, e-mail: [email protected]. Most current article http://dx.doi.org/10.1053/j.gastro.2015.07.030
C
laude Roy, the eminent Canadian physician and scientist, considered one of the founders of pediatric gastroenterology, died in Montreal on July 2, 2015 at the age of 86. He leaves behind a profound and lasting impression upon the spirit of those that had the chance to share time with him, including countless colleagues, trainees and health professionals. Professor Roy was born in Québec, obtained his MD degree at Laval University and completed his residency at McGill University’s Montreal Children’s Hospital. Following a fellowship at the Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, he practiced some years in Québec City before embarking upon an academic career at the University of Colorado, where he was appointed Professor of Pediatrics. In 1970 he returned to Canada to work at Saint-Justine Hospital, University of Montreal, joining Dr Claude Morin in what was, at the time, one of only 4 pediatric gastroenterology and nutrition
Claude C. Roy, MD
services worldwide and where he was to become a leader in the field. Claude’s intellectual curiosity and rigor were limitless, using his many remarkable qualities to shape and influence the practice of pediatric gastroenterology in North America and around the world. This he achieved through his own personal research accomplishments, publishing over 200 original papers and book chapters, as well as editorials on various subjects related to his field. Claude Roy was co-author of the textbook, Pediatric Clinical Gastroenterology, first published in 1971. This work, recognized globally as one of the most authoritative by specialists in the field, was long considered exceptional in that it devoted a large proportion of the text to liver diseases of children. Among the numerous fields of research that had an impact on clinical care, Dr Roy’s contributions showed that in patients with cystic fibrosis (CF), fat malabsorption was not only a result of a digestive phase defect but also involves the absorptive phase. His laboratory and clinical observations include the observation that large fecal losses of bile acids associated with pancreatic insufficiency led to low intra-duodenal concentrations which contribute to fat malabsorption. Dr Roy and his colleagues further demonstrated a particular essential fatty-acid deficiency in patients with CF. He also recognized that hepatobiliary complications increase with age in children with CF and that ultrasound is a good tool for the surveillance of CF-associated hepatobiliary disease. In addition, Dr Roy contributed to the identification and characterization of new diseases such as chylomicron retention disease and an inherited disorder characterized by the association of protein losing enteropathy, congenital hepato-fibrosis, lymphangiectasia, and enterocolitis cystica which are the consequence of a protein glycosylation defect. In the field of nutrition he reported that prematurity-related changes in the lipid content of breast milk as well as in formulas containing more than 40% medium chain triglycerides could have significant side effects in premature infants.
Claude Roy was an outstanding teacher and became a renowned mentor for countless undergraduate and graduate students from around the world. His teaching qualities were recognized early in his career, having been nominated “Best Clinical Teacher” at the University of Colorado. Residents and fellows were attracted to Sainte Justine Hospital because of the level of excellence that Dr Roy established in the division. The GI division and Research Unit of Sainte Justine has trained over 60 pediatric gastroenterologists from around the world, many of whom have become heads of departments, research institutes or clinical divisions. Always an enthusiast, Claude consistently encouraged and supported the career development of countless young fellows and investigators. During almost forty years of outstanding and tireless work at Sainte Justine Hospital, Professor Roy took over major administrative duties as Director of the Research Institute (1977–1982), Chief of the Gastroenterology Division (1982–1991), then Chief of Paediatrics and Chair of the Department of Paediatrics at the University of Montréal (1991–1995). While establishing solid bases at Sainte Justine, Claude found the time and energy to become a major voice in Canadian science as a member of the Medical Research Council (MRC) from 1989 to1995 and later participating in the re-structuring of MRC to become the Canadian Institute of Health Research (CIHR) working as its programs director from 1995 to 1999. Claude Roy’s vision and generosity prompted him to accept leading posts in several Canadian foundations such as the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, the Inflammatory Bowel Diseases Foundation, the Canadian Liver Foundation, and the Arthritis Society. Recognition from his peers was a frequent event including among, many others, the Malcolm Brown Lecturship of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons, the Prix Michel Sarrazin from Le Club de Recherche Clinique du Québec, and the Ross Award for distinguished service to children from the Canadian Pediatric Society. Professor Roy was Gastroenterology 2015;149:511–512
IN MEMORIAM also honoured with an Honorary Doctorate from the University of Geneva, with the first Harry Schwachman Award, the most important prize for a Pediatric Gastroenterologist in North America, as well as the Sass Kortsak Award from the Canadian Association for the Study of Liver. Professor Claude Roy’s lifetime achievements from this extraordinary career and exceptional legacy to science, medicine and society, were recognized by his fellow citizens and the Canadian government with the title of “Officer of the Order of Canada”, by officials in his province with the “National Order of Quebec”, and by his colleagues with his induction into the “Canadian Medical Hall of Fame”. Professor Roy was a lover of classical music, an avid reader and a great sportsman. During his medical studies, he played ice hockey for the Québec Citadelles and the Rouge et Or of Laval
512
University. He was always active and took great pleasure in practising sports with his family, especially skiing, cycling, tennis, and sailing. A sociable and endearing man, he had great generosity of spirit and took genuine interest in all of those he met. Above all, the love and devotion he had for his family were immeasurable. He repeatedly acknowledged the support and love of his wife, Simone Saint-Germain, that allowed him to dedicate much time to his 2 passions: medicine and science. He always spoke with pride of his 3 daughters, Sophie, Brigitte, and Genevieve, and couldn’t help keeping us up to date with the performances of his adored grandchildren Gabriel, Sarah, Paul, Caroline, and Kimberley. We will all dearly miss Claude, not only the physician and scientist but above all the exceptional human being and friend we, and everyone who interacted with him, loved.
FERNANDO ALVAREZ CHRISTOPHE FAURE Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition Division CHU Sainte-Justine University of Montreal Montreal, Québec, Canada STEVEN R. MARTIN Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition Division CHU Sainte-Justine University of Montreal Montreal, Québec and Department of Pediatrics University of Calgary Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Reprint requests Address requests for reprints to: Fernando Alvarez, MD, e-mail: [email protected]. Most current article http://dx.doi.org/10.1053/j.gastro.2015.07.030