Some reference marks of the Foundation's History
July 6, 1991
Marie Robert is in a car accident that causes various fractures, as well as “severe” head trauma. She leaves the hospital two and a half months later, in wheel chair, surrounded by her parents.
1992 to present
Marie Robert, Lawyer - Founder
Along with members of her family, Marie Robert decides to establish a foundation to support research into brain injuries. To get the ball rolling, in March 1992, she calls a first meeting of the provisional Board of Directors for the future foundation.
1992 to present
Mrs. Claire Garon Robert, Eng. - Founding member
Marie’s mother. As someone familiar with the health sector, Claire fully lends her support to the advancement of research into head trauma, which leaves nearly 85% of victims with permanent and heavily crippling after-effects.
As someone who was actively involved in the Centre d’Accueil Champlain à Brossard, Centre Hospitalier de Soins de Longue Durée (CHSLD), and who has more than 17 years experience as its Director of Health Services and Assistance, Claire provides precious input on improving the health of patients injured in an accident.
March 1992 to 1995
Mr. Marc Robert, Eng., Secretary - Founding member
Marie’s brother. Marc contributes development expertise to the Foundation, thanks to many years of experience as a vice-president of business development and other executive positions in large corporations and consulting firms.
March 1992 to 1995
Mrs. Carole A. Robert, Treasurer - Founding member
Marie’s sister-in-law. With her skills as a project manager, Carole helps the Foundation with its growth and particularly, with the planning of various fundraising events.
February 14 to 2001
Dr. Jacques Provost, Neurosurgeon - Founding member
Chief of Neurosurgery at Montréal’s Sacré-Cœur Hospital and a researcher, Dr. Provost was the doctor who treated Marie.
His vast expertise and knowledge about this field of research gives credence to our belief that funding for the advancement of studies on the brain and the development of new treatments could indeed deliver a better quality of life for patients with brain injuries.
March 1992 to present
Michel Massicotte, Lawyer - Founding member
A lawyer and mentor with whom Marie practiced law between 1986 and July 1991. Although their careers took different paths, they now work together to better the health of others.
1992 to 1994
Dr. Simon Tinawi, Physiatrist - Founding member
This doctor dedicates his practice to caring for victims of head trauma. Dr. Tinawi worked for many years at the Institut de Réadaptation de Montréal and currently treats patients at the Montréal General Hospital – MUHC.
Agreement with Montréal’s Sacré-Cœur Hospital
The Director General of Montréal’s Sacré-Cœur Hospital Foundation agrees to receive mail for the Marie-Robert NeuroTrauma Foundation until another generous partner is found to house the Foundation’s headquarters. Starting in 1992, Marie Robert “hosts” the Foundation headquarters in her home until 1997, when the Association du camionnage du Québec graciously offers to take over. This partner association also provides the office space and other conveniences necessary for growth of the Foundation.
May 1993
Partnership with the Société de l’assurance automobile du Québec (SAAQ)
Neurosurgeon Dr. Jacques Provost and Marie Robert ask the executive management of the Société de l’assurance automobile du Québec to endorse the Foundation’s mission, that is: to prevent or limit the neurological deficits occurring in the few first moments after head trauma, or more precisely, in the first 15 days immediately following impact.
April 1994
Implementation of an evaluation mechanism for scientific research: from now on, all scientific initiatives proposed to the Foundation must fulfil specific criteria outlined by the Fonds de Recherche en Santé du Québec (FRSQ). The Ministre de la Santé et des Services sociaux du Québec (MSSS) entrusts the FRSQ to define these research standards and ensure that they are respected. In matters of ethics, integrity and best practices, the FRSQ plays the role of pioneer and visionary.
1994 to 1996
Dr. Pierre Fréchette sits on the Foundation’s Board of Directors. As the Associate Director of Trauma at the Enfant-Jésus Hospital, the hospital centre affiliated with the Université Laval, Dr. Fréchette is well known for his expertise in dealing with trauma in Québec.
1995 to 1997
Mrs. Claudette Lagacé joins the Foundation’s Board of Directors, while also acting as the Director of Programs and Group Support at the Association des hôpitaux du Québec (AHQ).
October 18-20, 1995
The Foundation participates in the first provincial congress on traumatic brain injury organized by the Société de l’assurance automobile du Québec.
November 17-18, 1995
Researcher Mrs. Marie Vanier and Marie Robert travel to the European Congress on Brain Injury in France. There, they gather with other scientists to share information about treatments given to victims of head trauma.
1996 to present
Mrs. Anne Lauzon sits on the Board of Directors. Originally a consultant with the Association des hôpitaux du Québec, in 1998 Anne is named Director General of the Québec Association of Rehabilitation Establishments for the Physically Impaired (AERDPQ).
February 1996
A partnership between the Foundation and the Scientific committee for TBI-Research is announced at the Enfant-Jésus Hospital, the hospital centre affiliated with the Université Laval in Québec City. Representatives from 24 hospital centres in Québec are there for the announcement.
October 1996
Mr. Claude Castonguay, previous Minister of Heath and Social Services in Québec, formalizes the alliance between the Marie-Robert Foundation and the six tertiary trauma centres in Québec, namely:
December 9, 1996
The director generals of the six tertiary trauma centres in Québec meet in the presence of Mr. Claude Castonguay and Marie Robert to make official their commitment to the Foundation.
1996 to 2006
Following Dr. Jacques Provost’s request, Dr. Georges L’Espérance, Neurosurgeon, agrees to join the Foundation’s Board of Directors. At the time, he was practising at Montréal’s Sacré-Cœur Hospital and was President of the Association de neurochirurgie du Québec. Also, for more than 10 years, he’s presided over the Société des médecins experts du Québec.
Since 1996
The Foundation always participates in the annual congresses organized by the Association des neurosurgeons du Québec et des sciences neurologiques.
In 1997
Mrs. Elisabeth Riley, Director General of the Montréal Children’s Hospital, joins the Board of Directors.
In 1997
Mr. Gérard Douville, Director General of the Montréal General Hospital - MUHC, becomes a member of the Board of Directors.
1997 to 2004
Mr. Khiem Dao, Director General of Montréal’s Sainte-Justine Hospital and Montréal’s Sacré-Cœur Hospital, joins the Board of Directors. He represents all director generals from the six tertiary trauma centres in Québec.
1998 to 1999
Mr. Jean-Pierre Chicoine, Director General of Montréal’s Sainte-Justine Hospital, becomes a member of the Board of Directors.
1998 to 2002
Mr. Jean-Yves Gagnon, President and CEO of the Société de l’assurance automobile du Québec, acts of Chairman of the Foundation’s Board of Directors.
Wednesday, February 4, 1998
Marie Robert meets Mr. Ronald Corey, President of the Club de Hockey Le Canadien. He commits to regular funding in support of research into brain injuries.
May 1998
The Corporation des concessionnaires d’automobiles de Montréal (CCAM) also commits to annual funding to support the development of this important research.
1999
Mr. Michel Larivière, Director General of the Charles LeMoyne Hospital, joins the Board of Directors.
1999 and 2000
Mr. Normand Legault, President of the F1 Canada Grand Prix acts as spokesperson for the Foundation and helps organize a draw to raise funds for research into brain injuries.
June 14-17, 1999
Mrs. Claire Garon Robert and Marie Robert participate in the 3rd World Congress on Brain Injury at the Centre des Congrès in Québec City.
September 15, 1999
The Association du camionnage du Québec organizes a golf tournament at the Le Géant Golf Course in Mont Tremblant, with all profits going to the Foundation.
January 16-23, 2000
The Foundation participates in the Montréal International Auto Show at Place Bonaventure, where tickets are sold for the F1 Canada Grand Prix draw.
February 28-March 5, 2000
The Foundation also participates in the Salon International de l’Auto de Québec at the Centre des Foires, where tickets are sold for the F1 Canada Grand Prix draw. Also in attendance, Bertrand Godin, car columnist and spokesperson for the Foundation.
June 25-29, 2000
The Foundation participates in the World Congress on Paediatric Trauma at the Palais des Congrès in Montréal.
April 4-5, 2001
Presence at the colloquium on brain injuries organised by Montréal’s Sacré-Cœur Hospital.
April 2001
The Faculty of Medicine at the Université de Montréal creates the Marie-Robert Foundation research and training scholarship fund.
November 12, 2001
The partnership with the Corporation des concessionnaires d’automobiles de Montréal (CCAM) is confirmed.
2002 to 2005
Mr. Jacques Brind’Amour, President and CEO of the Société de l’assurance automobile du Québec, becomes Chairman of the Foundation’s Board of Directors.
In 2002
Mrs. Juliette Bailly, Vice-president, Partner and Client Relations at the Commission de la Santé et Sécurité du Travail (CSST), joins the Board of Directors.
September 19, 2003
Meeting between Dr. Pierre J. Durand, Dean, Faculty of Medicine, Université Laval; Mr. Jacques Brind’Amour, President and CEO, SAAQ; and, Marie Robert to discuss the creation of the Marie-Robert Foundation research fund at the university.
Thursday, November 4, 2004
The Foundation meets with Dr. Jean Rouleau, Dean, and Dr. Yves Beauchamp, Head of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, from the Université de Montréal, to discuss this field of research and a possible partnership between the university and the Foundation.
Also present at this meeting are Mr. Jacques Brind’Amour, Chairman of the Foundation’s Board of Directors, and President and CEO of the SAAQ, Mr. Michel Bitar, Director of Business Services at the National Bank of Canada, Mrs. Claire Garon Robert and Marie Robert.
Tuesday, March 22, 2005
Meeting with Mr. Denis Dessureault, Director of Communications, Corporation des concessionnaires d’automobiles de Montréal, at which time he underlines the merits of a partnership with the Foundation and the financial support they give the Foundation every year.
2005 to 2007
Mrs. Johanne St-Cyr, Vice-president of Road Safety, SAAQ, steps in as Chairwoman of the Foundation’s Board of Directors.
November 7, 2007
An evening of recognition given by the Faculty of Medicine at the Université Laval, during which Mrs. Claire Garon Robert and Marie Robert receive an engraving in appreciation of their involvement in creating the research fund launched in November 2005.
February 2007 to present
Dr. Judith Marcoux, Neurosurgeon
Dr. Marcoux of the Montréal General Hospital – MUHC, agrees to join the Board of Directors.
Dr. Marcoux has dedicated her efforts to developing knowledge about the brain, particularly in the first moments following an impact to the head.
September 2007 to present
Dr. Léo Cantin, Neurosurgeon
Dr. Cantin, from the
Enfant-Jésus Hospital – CHA, affiliated with the Université Laval in Québec City, and
President of the
Association de neurochirurgie du Québec, becomes a member of the Foundation’s Board of Directors.