Canadian Medical Hall of Fame

Understanding the body and disease process Infectious Disease, Allergy & Immunity

The immune system fights infection (microbes) through special organs, cells and chemicals.  The immunology of infectious disease studies how the immune system responds to infectious agents and how infectious agents interact with, modify or elude the immune system. More recent developments have shown that immunology may play an important role in the treatment of some cancers. Allergies occur when your immune system reacts to a foreign substance — such as pollen, bee venom or pet dander — or a food that doesn't cause a reaction in most people.

quarantine zone Research

Infectious Disease & Immunity

  1. 1910

  2. 1917

    Félix D’Hérelle discovered ‘bacteriophages’ and bacteriophage therapy

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  3. 1920

  4. 1930

  5. 1930

    Armand Frappier became an advocate for full-scale, anti-tuberculosis vaccinations in North America using the BCG vaccine

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  6. 1933

    Félix D’Hérelle founded the Laboratoires du bactériophage in Paris

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  7. 1940

  8. 1950

  9. 1960

  10. 1961

    Along with Dr. Amel Menoot, Bernard Belleau established Bristol Laboratories Canada

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  11. 1970

  12. 1979

    Cyclosporine was discovered

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  13. 1979

    Dr. John Bienenstock was one of the first to identify the T cell-dependent mucosal mast cell as a major effector cell of parasite gut immunity

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  14. 1980

  15. 1987

    Dr. Lorne Tyrrell and his team discovered a new series of anti-viral compounds that had therapeutic potential for HBV treatment

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  16. 1989

    Early Lamivudine drug trials began

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  17. 1989

    In collaboration with BioChem Pharma Inc., Dr. Mark Wainberg and his team identified 3TC as an anti-viral drug

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  18. 1990

  19. 1992

    As the AIDS Crisis continued unabated, Dr. Montaner played a key role in the establishment of the B.C. Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS

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  20. 1994

    Dr. Michel Bergeron founded the Centre de recherché en infectiologie (CRI) de Université Laval

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  21. 1996

    HAART became the new standard of care for HIV in North America and Europe

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  22. 1999

    Dr. Tyrrell’s hepatitis studies extended to hepatitis C, where, with two colleagues, he developed another model system, an immunodeficient mouse with a humanized liver

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  23. 2000

  24. 2000

    Dr. Bergeron was published in the New England Journal of Medicine

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  25. 2001

    The National Food and Water Safety Coalition was founded

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  26. 2009

    Dr. Culllis co-founded Acuitas Therapeutics with Tom Madden and Mick Hope

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  27. 2010

  28. 2020

  29. 2020

    mRNA COVID-19 vaccines approved for emergency use

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  30. 2021

Félix d’Hérelle

Infectious Disease, Allergy & Immunity

A self-taught scientist, Félix d’Hérelle was a pioneer in molecular biology and infectious disease research. His greatest…

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Armand Frappier, MD

Infectious Disease, Allergy & Immunity, Leadership in Organizational Development, The Early Days - Health Care Pioneers

A moving force, a trailblazer, a visionary. These are some of the many accolades used to describe Dr. Armand Frappier,…

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Félix d’Hérelle

Infectious Disease, Allergy & Immunity

A self-taught scientist, Félix d’Hérelle was a pioneer in molecular biology and infectious disease research. His greatest…

Read more about Félix d’Hérelle
Picture of Felix d'Herelle

Bernard Belleau, PhD

Infectious Disease, Allergy & Immunity, Cancer, Leadership in Organizational Development

Dr. Bernard Belleau was a Québec biochemist who made remarkable contributions to the world with his discovery of 3TC, a…

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Calvin R. Stiller, MD

Infectious Disease, Allergy & Immunity, Leadership in Organizational Development, Health and Medical Education & Training, Diabetes

Dr. Calvin Stiller was Canada’s major voice in organ transplantation during the 1970’s, 1980’s and early 1990’s when the…

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John Bienenstock, MD

Cells, Genetics & Genomics, Infectious Disease, Allergy & Immunity, Leadership in Organizational Development, Health and Medical Education & Training

Considered one of the fathers of mucosal immunology, Dr. Bienenstock has made outstanding contributions to the Canadian…

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D. Lorne Tyrrell, MD PhD

Infectious Disease, Allergy & Immunity, Leadership in Organizational Development

Dr. D. Lorne Tyrrell spent his youth helping on the family farm before pursuing a career in medicine where he has saved…

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D. Lorne Tyrrell, MD PhD

Infectious Disease, Allergy & Immunity, Leadership in Organizational Development

Dr. D. Lorne Tyrrell spent his youth helping on the family farm before pursuing a career in medicine where he has saved…

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Mark Wainberg, PhD

Global Health, Public Health, Health Promotion & Advocacy, Patient Care, Infectious Disease, Allergy & Immunity

Mark Wainberg’s research and advocacy around access to AIDS treatment are acknowledged to have helped save millions of…

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Julio S.G. Montaner, MD

Infectious Disease, Allergy & Immunity, Infectious Disease, Allergy & Immunity, Global Health, Public Health, Health Promotion & Advocacy

Dr. Julio Montaner is a determined and passionate visionary whose life work has directly contributed to stopping HIV and…

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Michel G. Bergeron, MD

Infectious Disease, Allergy & Immunity

Michel G. Bergeron has served his country and the world in many roles: soldier, professor, clinician, researcher,…

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Julio S.G. Montaner, MD

Infectious Disease, Allergy & Immunity, Infectious Disease, Allergy & Immunity, Global Health, Public Health, Health Promotion & Advocacy

Dr. Julio Montaner is a determined and passionate visionary whose life work has directly contributed to stopping HIV and…

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D. Lorne Tyrrell, MD PhD

Infectious Disease, Allergy & Immunity, Leadership in Organizational Development

Dr. D. Lorne Tyrrell spent his youth helping on the family farm before pursuing a career in medicine where he has saved…

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Michel G. Bergeron, MD

Infectious Disease, Allergy & Immunity

Michel G. Bergeron has served his country and the world in many roles: soldier, professor, clinician, researcher,…

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B. Brett Finlay, PhD

Cells, Genetics & Genomics, Infectious Disease, Allergy & Immunity

Dr. Brett Finlay has extended our understanding of how microbes interact with humans in both health and disease,…

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Pieter R. Cullis, PhD

Infectious Disease, Allergy & Immunity

A leader in creating drug delivery systems to treat disease

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cullis

Pieter R. Cullis, PhD

Infectious Disease, Allergy & Immunity

A leader in creating drug delivery systems to treat disease

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About the CMHF

The Canadian Medical Hall of Fame (CMHF) celebrates Canadian heroes whose work advances health in Canada and the world, fostering future generations of health professionals through the delivery of local and national youth education programs and awards.

This enduring tribute to our country’s rich medical history is showcased here and in our physical exhibit hall in London, ON.