2007 INDUCTEE Jean Dussault, MD Global Health, Hormones

Born:

April 6, 1941

(Québec City, Québec)

Died:

March 23, 2003

Education:

MD, Université Laval (1965)

Awards & Honours:

2000: National Order of Quebec

1999: Robert Guthrie Award, International Society of Neonatal Screening

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Discovered a ground-breaking screening test for congenital hypothyroidism

Improved the lives of millions of children around the globe

The incidence of congenital hypothyroidism is one in 4,000 births. With Dr. Dussault’s simple test, using a small heel prick within two weeks of birth, thyroid deficient states can be detected in newborns to avoid varying degrees of intellectual disabilities and to increase the chance of leading a normal life. This application of scientific discovery to eliminate a serious global health problem is an outstanding example of the finest tradition of public health.

Despite Dr. Dussault’s extraordinary achievement, he remained a compassionate, gentle and modest man. An outstanding teacher and dedicated clinician, numerous researchers trained by Dr. Dussault can now be found in leading endocrine laboratories around the world.

Key Facts

Nominated for the Nobel Prize at the age of 42

Published over 200 papers and gave numerous lectures at national and international conferences

Over the course of his lifetime, the thyroid deficiency condition of cretinism was removed from textbooks

Repeatedly declined to apply for a patent for the neonatal blood test because he believed his discovery was part of public domain

Made pioneering contributions in areas ranging from basic mechanisms of thyroid hormone action in the developing brain to the diagnosis and treatment of thyroid dysfunction

Professional timeline

Impact on lives today

Dr. Jean Dussault’s contribution to humanity through his application of medical research is nothing short of monumental. He developed a neonatal diagnostic test for congenital hypothyroidism that has been used on over 300 million infants around the world and has saved an estimated 100,000 children from irreversible intellectual disabilities. Dr. Dussault’s legacy is truly remarkable.

2007

October 2, 2007
Jean Dussault posthumously inducted into the Canadian Medical Hall of Fame

Dr. Claude Laberge accepted the award for his teacher and mentor Dr. Jean Dussault. (London, Ontario)
1988
Dr. Dussault purified thyroid receptor proteins
Hormones
As a result, he produced the first monoclonal antibody against the thyroid hormone receptor, which has been used by many groups to study the cellular localization of thyroid receptors.
1986
Dr. Dussault became Director of the Unit of Molecular Medicine and Genetics at the Centre Hospitalier de l’Université Laval (CHUL)
Leadership in Organizational Development, Cells, Genetics & Genomics
He served in this position until 1996.
1974
Dr. Dussault was appointed Director of the Screening Program of Congenital hypothyroidism with the Quebec Network for Genetic Disease
Hormones, Leadership in Organizational Development
He also continued his research on the biochemical consequences of neonatal thyroid hormone deficiency in the developing brain.
1972
Dr. Jean Dussault developed a blood test for congenital hypothyroidism
Hormones, Blood
This discovery was followed by a neonatal screening program. Later, Dr. Dussault continued to research clinical disorders of the thyroid.
1971
Returned to Quebec City and joined the Université Laval’s Faculty of Medicine
Health and Medical Education & Training
Dr. Dussault spent the next 32 years as an active professor and scientist.
1965
Dr. Dussault took his residency in endocrinology at Enfant-Jesus Hospital in Quebec City

He then pursued additional training at the University of Toronto under the direction of Dr. R. Volpe and then in the Department of Pediatrics and Medicine at UCLA.