DONATE

Massey Grand Rounds

Massey Grand Rounds (MGR) is comprised of members of the Massey College community, including physicians, medical students, and graduate students in areas related to medicine and health sciences. It convenes monthly during the school term and serves as a discussion forum on topics related to medicine, the health sciences, and social issues of interest to students.
 
The group is guided by founding mentor Dr. Aubie Angel, CM, MD, FRCPC, FCAHS, Senior Fellow, and will be guided by Dr. Sheila Wang for the 2025-2026 term.
 
An Annual MGR Symposium is a Junior Fellow-led conference held for an expanded audience to include the entire U of T academic community. It features the Janet Rossant Lectureship, established in 2018. The lectureship was established to recognize promising mid-career  health scientists.
A group of ten people stand side by side indoors, smiling for a photo at a formal event. One person at centre holds a glass award. Behind them, a screen displays “Princess Margaret Cancer Centre,” and the setting features brick walls and wood paneling.

Massey Grand Rounds on October 8th, 2025, celebrated the 20th anniversary and featured the 2025 Janet Rossant Lecturer, Dr. Danielle Rodin. The program was developed in collaboration with Dr. Rodin, with the theme “Cancer Care at a Crossroads: Balancing Innovation, Cost and Equity.” The Janet Rossant Lecture was titled “Personalized Cancer Therapy for a Global Population.” Plenary speakers also included Dr. Beverley Essue and Dr. Keith Stewart. Once again, MGR acknowledges the continuing support of our sponsors, including Massey College, Friends of CIHR, Diabetes Research & Treatment Centre (DRTC), the Department of Medicine, and the Temerty Faculty of Medicine.

MGR – Team 2025 - 2026

Dr. Sheila Wang MD, PhD, FRCPC, Senior Fellow 
Chair of the 2025-2026 MGR Program

Rachel Tyli & Jane Zhao
Co-Chairs of MGR

Dr. Aubie Angel, CM, MD, Senior Fellow

Advisor and Senior Mentor

Contacts:
CONTACT MGR DINNERS
CONTACT MGR SYMPOSIUM

Past MGR Co-Chairs

  • 2024-2025 Jane Zhao & Stacey Chen
  • 2022-2024 Georgia Hadjis & Robyn Loves
  • 2021-2022 Paul Chen & Anna Wong
  • 2020-2021 Krish Bilimoria & Anastasia Korolj
  • 2019-2020 Daniel Hidru & Daniel Szulc
  • 2018-2019 Julian Lamanna, Arsalan Mir-Moghtadaei & Keshna Sood
  • 2017-2018 Alex Koven & Arsalan Mir-Moghtadaei
  • 2016-2017 Alex Koven & Peter Liu
  • 2015-2016 Katharine Dunlop & Lily Qiu
  • 2014-2015 Katharine Dunlop & Patrick Steadman
  • 2013-2014 Sabrina Tang & Lisette Yorke
  • 2012-2013 Ryan Doherty & Lisette Yorke
  • 2011-2012 Ryan Doherty & Judith Seary
  • 2010-2011 Carla Pajak, Judith Seary & Rami Shoucri
  • 2009-2010 Carla Pajak & Rami Shoucri
  • 2008-2009 Victoria Arrandale & Patrick Wong
  • 2007-2008 Martin Betts & Fiona Menzies
  • 2006-2007 Martin Betts & Fiona Menzies

Past Symposia

19th Annual Symposium: Mind over matter: Innovations in brain cancer research

September 18, 2024 

 

2024 Symposium Program – September 18, 2024

1 pm – 1:15 pm Welcome – Acting Principal Dr. Jonathan Rose, Dr. Peter N. Lewis

1:15 pm – 2:00 pm Dr. Sunit Das, 2024 Janet Rossant Lecturer – Department of Surgery at the University of Toronto Neurosurgeon and Scientist at St. Michael’s Hospital and the Hospital for Sick Kids, Provincial Lead for CNS Oncology at Cancer Care Ontario

 “ Advances in the Diagnosis and Treatment of Brain Tumors” 

2 pm – 2:25 pm Dr. Rola Saleeb – Genitourinary Pathologist/Site lead, Unity Health Toronto Medical Director of Immunohistochemistry department, Clinician Scientist, Ontario Institute for Cancer Research, Assistant Professor, University of Toronto

“ Brain cancer genetic testing, the why and how of a new approach” 

2:25 pm – 2:50 pm Dr. Michael Szego – Senior Director, Centre for Clinical Ethics, Unity Health Toronto, Assistant Professor, Departments of Family and Community Medicine, Molecular Genetics and the Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto 

“Ethics as an enabler of precision medicine” 

2:50 pm – 3:20 pm Open Forum Panel & Questions – Moderated by Jane Zhao and Stacy Chen (2024-2025 MGR Co-Chairs) 

3:20 – 3:25 pm Reflections on the Janet Rossant Lecture – Dr. Janet Rossant

3:20 pm – 3:30 pm Closing Remarks – Dr. Peter Lewis, Jane Zhao and Stacy Chen

Sponsors: MacLaughlin Centre; Massey College, Janet Rossant Lectureship; Faculty of Medicine, U of T; Department of Medicine, U of T; Friends of CIHR; DRTC

Video

Link to come.

18th Annual Symposium: Trust your Gut: the Gut Microbiome in Health & Disease

2023 Symposium Program – October 23, 2023

1 pm – 1:15 pm Welcome – Principal Nathalie Des Rosiers, Dr. Reinhart Reithmeier, Dr. Gillian Hawker. 

1:15 pm – 1:45 pm Dr. Lorraine Lipscombe, 2022 Janet Rossant Lecturer – Senior Scientist, Women’s College Research Institute, Staff Physician, Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Medicine, Women’s College Hospital

 “The Impact of Diabetes on Women Across the Lifespan”  

2 pm – 2:25 pm Dr. Tania Di Renna – Anesthesiologist, University Health Network, Medical Director of Toronto Academic Pain Medicine Institute (TAPMI)

“Women’s Problems” 

2:25 pm – 2:50 pm Dr. Sheila Dunn – Associate Prof., Dept. of Family and Community Medicine, University of Toronto, Scientist at Women’s College Research Institute

“Mifepristone, COVID and the transformation of abortion in Canada”  

2:50 pm – 3:10 pm Open Forum Panel & Questions – Moderated by Georgia Hadjis & Robyn Loves  (2022-2023 MGR Co-Chairs) 

3:10 pm – 3:20 pm Observations – Dr. Janet Rossant 

3:20 pm – 3:30 pm Closing Remarks – Dr. Reinhart Reithmeier, Principal Nathalie Des Rosiers, Georgia Hadjis & Robyn Loves

Video

Link to video.

17th Annual Symposium: Modernizing Women’s Health

MGR hosted the 17th Annual Symposium: Modernizing Women’s Health to learn about cutting-edge research in medicine, pain management, policy, and technology to advocate for and improve women’s health.

Program Outline
2022 Symposium Program – October 12, 2022

1 pm – 1:15 pm Welcome – Principal Nathalie Des Rosiers, Dr. Reinhart Reithmeier, Dr. Gillian Hawker. 

1:15 pm – 1:45 pm Dr. Lorraine Lipscombe, 2022 Janet Rossant Lecturer – Senior Scientist, Women’s College Research Institute, Staff Physician, Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Medicine, Women’s College Hospital

 “The Impact of Diabetes on Women Across the Lifespan”  

2 pm – 2:25 pm Dr. Tania Di Renna – Anesthesiologist, University Health Network, Medical Director of Toronto Academic Pain Medicine Institute (TAPMI)

“Women’s Problems” 

2:25 pm – 2:50 pm Dr. Sheila Dunn – Associate Prof., Dept. of Family and Community Medicine, University of Toronto, Scientist at Women’s College Research Institute

“Mifepristone, COVID and the transformation of abortion in Canada”  

2:50 pm – 3:10 pm Open Forum Panel & Questions – Moderated by Georgia Hadjis & Robyn Loves  (2022-2023 MGR Co-Chairs) 

3:10 pm – 3:20 pm Observations – Dr. Janet Rossant 

3:20 pm – 3:30 pm Closing Remarks – Dr. Reinhart Reithmeier, Principal Nathalie Des Rosiers, Georgia Hadjis & Robyn Loves

Video

Link to video.

MGR-Symposium

16th Anniversary Symposium: Shaping Our Post-Pandemic Future

15th Anniversary Symposium: Impacts of the COVID-19 Pandemic: Heart & Mind

Massey Grand Rounds Presents Healthy Aging

13th Anniversary Symposium: “Healthy Aging: Living Forever?”

2019 Symposium Program – Wednesday, March 20, 2019

MASSEY GRAND ROUNDS 13th Anniversary Symposium:
“Healthy Ageing:  Living Forever?”
Featuring: The Inaugural Janet Rossant Lecture by Dr. Lori West
Wednesday, March 20th, 2019 (11 am to 4:45 pm)
Upper Library, Massey College, 4 Devonshire Place

11:00 am Registration Junior Common Room
11:25 am Call to Order: Upper Library
Arsalan Mir-Moghtadaei, Chair and Keshna Sood, MGR Co-Chair, JFs

11:30 – 11:40 am Welcome and Opening Remarks
Dr. Aubie Angel, Principal Hugh Segal and Dean Trevor Young

11:40 – 12:40 pm Inaugural Janet Rossant Lecture
Dr. Lori West: “Heart Transplantation through the Ages:  A Success Story”

12:40 – 12:50 pm Remarks – Dr. Janet Rossant, President & Scientific Director, Gairdner Foundation

12:50 – 1:20 pm Light Lunch
Speakers – Private Dining Room
Registrants – Junior Common Room

1:25 pm Call to Order: Upper Library,
Arsalan Mir-Moghtadaei, Chair and Keshna Sood Co-Chair, MGR

1:30 – 2:30 pm
PLENARY SESSION on “Healthy Ageing”
Chair:  Dr. Trevor Young, Dean of Medicine, U of T

1:30 – 1:50 pm
Dr. Samir K. Sinha, Director of Geriatrics, Sinai Health System and UHN
“How Could a National Seniors Strategy support Healthy Ageing?”

1:50 – 2:10 pm
Dr. Sandra E. Black, Exec. Director, Toronto Dementia Research Alliance, Sunnybrook & U of T
“Can we someday prevent Alzheimer’s Dementia – the dawn of personalized precision-care pathways.”

2:10 – 2:30 pm
Dr. Susanna Mak, Departmental Division Director for Cardiology, University of Toronto
“Heart function in older men and women: implications for the ability to exercise”

2:30 – 2:50 pm
Q&A and Nutrition Break

3:00 – 4:00 pm PANEL – Title: “Living Forever?”
Moderator:  Dr. Samir K. Sinha

Dr. Fiona Menzies, Chief of Geriatric Medicine, St. Joseph’s Health Centre
“Managing Frailty”

Dr. Jennifer L. Gibson, Director, Joint Centre for Bioethics, U of T
“Ethics and Ageing in a Digital Age”

Dr. Susan Jaglal, Interim Chair Department of Physical Therapy, U of T
“Rehabilitation Interventions for Successful Ageing”

4:00 – 4:20 pm General Discussion:

4:30 pm Closing Remarks:
Dr. Aubie Angel

Video

Link to video.

Massey Grand Rounds Poster

12th Anniversary Symposium: "Tackling the Opioid Crisis: From Understanding to Intervention"

2018 Symposium Program – Wednesday, March 21, 2018

MASSEY GRAND ROUNDS 12th Anniversary Symposium:
“Tackling the Opioid Crisis: From Understanding to Intervention”
Wednesday, March 21st, 2018 (12 pm to 4:30 pm)
Upper Library, Massey College, 4 Devonshire Place

12 pm – 12:45 pm Registration & Coffee – Junior Common Room.

12:45 pm Call to Order: Upper Library – MGR Co-Chairs: Arsalan Mir-Moghtadaei and Alex Koven, JFs

12:45 pm Welcoming Remarks and Announcement of Major Massey College MGR Lectureship: Dr. Aubie Angel and Principal Hugh Segal.

1:00 pm – 2:30 pm Keynote Addresses

Dr. Irfan Dhalla
“The Physiology and Pharmacology of Opioids: Why are they so Addictive?”

Dr. Nav Persaud
“What Started the Opioid Crisis?”

Dr. Meldon Kahan
“The Public Health Response to the Opioid Crisis”

2:30 pm – 2:50 pm Refreshments

2:50 pm Call to Order. 

3:00 pm – 4:15 pm ROUNDTABLE/PANEL – “Actions that will Help End the Opioid Crisis”
Chair: Dr. Lynn Wilson

Dr. Lynn Wilson – “Personal Overview – Rapid Access Models”
Dr. Benedikt Fischer – “The two front challenge: Effective prevention & treatment”
Dr. Beth Sproule – “Actions to Help – A Case for Pharmacists
Dr. Nav Persaud – “Modifying Prescribing Habits”

Discussant: Dr. Meldon Kahan

4:15 pm Summary Perspective – Dr. David Goldbloom, Professor of Psychiatry, University of Toronto

4:30 pm – 4:45 pm Closing Remarks – Dr. Aubie Angel, Arsalan Mir-Moghtadaei and Alex Koven.

 
Massey Grand Rounds Poster

11th Anniversary Symposium:
“Health & Environment – Food, Drugs, and Air”

2017 Symposium Program – Wednesday, March 22, 2017

MASSEY GRAND ROUNDS 11th Anniversary Symposium* on
“Health & Environment – Food, Drugs, and Air”
Wednesday, March 22nd, 2017 (9:30 am to 2:30 pm)
Upper Library, Massey College, 4 Devonshire Place

9:30 am – 10:00 am Registration

9:55 am Call to Order
Upper Library – MGR Co-Chairs: Peter (Jianrui) Liu & Alex Koven, Junior Fellows  

10:00 am – 10:15 am Welcoming Remarks
Dr. Aubie Angel, Master Hugh Segal & Dean Trevor Young

10:15 am – 12:00 pm Morning Session: “Environmental Health: Air, Food & Drugs” Chair: Dr. Barbara Sherwood Lollar, University Professor; Science Chair, Massey College

Keynote Addresses:

10:20 am – 10:45 am Dr. Susan Tarlo, Professor, Department of Medicine, University of Toronto
“Health effects of the air we breathe – at home, work and outdoors”

10:45 am – 11:10 am Dr. Thomas M.S. Wolever, Professor, Department of Nutritional Sciences, University of Toronto
“Carbohydrate Quality, Quantity and Health: Added Sugars”

11:10 am – 11:35 am Dr. Jürgen Rehm, Director, Institute for Mental Health Policy Research, CAMH
“Illicit drug use in Canada, harms and public health”

11:35 am – 12:00 pm Q&A

12:00 pm – 12:40 pm Light Lunch at Massey College:
Speakers – Private Dining Room (PDR)
Registrants – Junior Common Room  

12:45 pm Call to Order

12:45 pm – 2:15 pm PANEL – “Health in the Urban Environment”
Chair & Opening Remarks: Dr. Peter D. Donnelly, Senior Fellow, President & CEO, Public Health Ontario

12:50 pm – 1:00 pm Dr. Peter D. Donnelly
“Violence: a further urban environmental health challenge”

1:05 pm – 1:15 pm Dr. Stephen Hwang, Professor, Department of Medicine, University of Toronto
“Housing: A critical determinant of urban health”

1:20 pm – 1:30 pm Dr. Gillian Booth, Professor of Medicine, University of Toronto
“The built environment, obesity, and diabetes”

1:30 pm – 2:15 pm General Panel Discussion and Q&A

2:15 pm Summary Perspective – Dr. David Goldbloom, Professor of Psychiatry, University of Toronto

2:20 pm – 2:30 pm Closing Remarks – Dr. Aubie Angel, Peter (Jianrui) Liu & Alex Koven

2:30 pm Adjourn

10th Anniversary Symposium: “Addressing Personalized Medicine through Big Data”

Interested in joining Massey Grand Rounds?

Please fill out the form to receive more information in the near future and stay up to date with all our events.
SIGN UP
Login to your account

If you do not have a login, or need assistance to login, please contact adminassistant@masseycollege.ca for help.