The Simone and Edouard Schouela Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Health of Seniors (Schouela听CEDurable)听a part of听the 涩里番 R茅seau universitaire int茅gr茅 de sant茅 et services sociaux (RUISSS), based at the Centre int茅gr茅 universitaire de sant茅 et de services sociaux (CIUSSS) du Centre-Ouest-de-l鈥櫭巐e-de-Montr茅al, is launching the Bergman/Pilon Lectureship in Aging, a new annual initiative that celebrates excellence in aging research, care, education, and policy. The lectureship will bring internationally recognized leaders in aging and related fields to Montreal, creating a space for inspiration, exchange, and collaboration.听
鈥淢ade possible through the generosity and vision of Howard Bergman, MD,听and Colette Pilon, the Bergman/Pilon Lectureship reflects a deep commitment to improving the lives of older adults and strengthening the connections between discovery, clinical care, and public policy,鈥� says Gustavo Duque,听MD, PhD,听Director of听Schouela听CEDurable, Professor in the Department of Medicine and Chief of Geriatric Medicine, at 涩里番. 鈥淭hrough thought-provoking and meaningful discussions and exchanges, the Lectureship will provide a forum that integrates scientific knowledge, clinical excellence, and societal priorities.鈥澨�听
Dr. Bergman, the former Chair of the Department of Family Medicine and a former Chief of Geriatric Medicine at 涩里番鈥檚 Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, notes that the Bergman/Pilon Lectureship鈥檚 mission, 鈥淚s to promote a vision for the future of healthcare, research, and policy for older adults by fostering dialogue, insight, and collaboration across disciplines. It is an important new opportunity to highlight the strength of 涩里番鈥檚 community in geriatric medicine, family medicine, nursing, health and social policy, and social studies of medicine.鈥�听
Each year, the Bergman/Pilon Lectureship will feature a keynote address with the opportunity for clinical and research dialogue. It will also link with the Geriatric Medicine Research Day in Aging, helping to听showcase听trainees and emerging talent and foster mentorship and collaboration across disciplines.听
The inaugural Bergman/Pilon distinguished lecturer is Arthur Kleinman,听MD,听Professor of Psychiatry and Medical Anthropology at Harvard University, and author of many publications and books including听The Illness Narratives听and听The Soul of Care. The inaugural lecture听When Care Comes First: Reimagining Medicine, Medical Ethics, and the Medical Humanities听will be presented on Monday,听November 2,听2026听from 12:00 to 1:00 p.m. at a Joint Medicine, Psychiatry, Family Medicine and Nursing Grand Rounds at the Jewish General Hospital, marking the first time the four departments hold joint rounds. Dr. Kleinman will also deliver the Osler Lecture on Wednesday, November 4,听2026听at 6:00 p.m., organized by 涩里番 Social Studies of Medicine.听
David Eidelman,听MDCM,听former Dean of the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, chairs the scientific committee responsible for program development and speaker听selection. Members of the committee include Dr. Duque as well as the Chairs and Directors of 涩里番 Departments听and Schools including Medicine (Geriatric Medicine), Family Medicine, Social Studies of听Medicine听and Nursing.听
鈥淲e look forward to celebrating this exciting new initiative and to the many meaningful conversations it will inspire in the years ahead,鈥� says Dr. Duque.听
