History of McCaig Institute
What is now the McCaig Institute for Bone and Joint Health originated as a small research group within the Faculty of Medicine, with one member from what was then the Faculty of Engineering. The Musculoskeletal Research Group (from 1984-1988) became the Joint Injury and Diseases Research Group (1988-1992) and then the Joint Injury and Arthritis Research Group (1992-2004).
At the start, the Musculoskeletal Research Group consisted of five individuals who used space primarily within the Calgary General Hospital and the Medical School. The transition to the JIDRG occurred with some collocation of the members onto the ground floor of the Heritage Medical Research Building in the fall of 1988. With the involvement of basic scientists, rheumatologists, orthopaedic surgeons and community leaders, “Project Motion” became a successful fund-raising campaign to develop the fourth floor of the Heritage Medical Research Building and the McCaig Centre for Bone and Joint Health officially opened in March 1992.
The McCaig Centre was named after one of the Co-Chairs of Project Motion – Mr. J.R. (Bud) McCaig. Mr. McCaig was a strong supporter of bone and joint health research and due to his leadership the research group became one of only a handful of “Institutes” within the Faculty of Medicine.
The McCaig Institute suffered a tremendous loss with the unexpected passing of Mr. McCaig in January of 2005: however, his daughter-in-law, Mrs. Marilyn McCaig has graciously taken on the role of Calgary Institute Community Leader and members of the Institute look forward to continuing the relationship with the entire McCaig Family.
The Research Group/Institute has had several Chairs/Directors over the years:
- Cy Frank (1988-1993 and 2004-2007)
- David Hart (1993-1995 and 2007-2008)
- Ron Zernicke (1996-1999)
- Robert Bray (1999-2002)
- Nigel Shrive (2002-2004)
In June 2008, Dr. Shrive took on the role as Interim Director of the McCaig Institute and was officially appointed as Institute Director in November of 2009.
Joint Injury and Arthritis Research Group
A multidisciplinary group of clinicians, clinician-scientists, basic scientists, and engineers interested in the mechanisms of joint injury and repair, and the causes, prevention, and treatment of arthritis. The Centre does not coordinate clinical services; therefore it is unable to accept patient referrals.
The Joint Injury and Arthritis Research Group (JIARG) is a multidisciplinary group of clinicians, clinician-scientists, basic scientists, and engineers interested in the mechanisms of joint injury and repair, and the causes, prevention, and treatment of arthritis.
The research in JIARG takes place both in the laboratory and in clinical settings, reflecting the diverse backgrounds of its members, who come from Orthopaedic Surgery, Rheumatology, Immunology, Engineering, Biochemistry, Pathology, Microbiology, Molecular Biology, Statistics, and Epidemiology. Each member brings a different perspective to the study of arthritis, and the synthesis of these perspectives provides a unique research environment.
The JIARG, formed in the mid 80s, brings together young promising researchers and experienced engineers, scientists, and clinicians and has become a leading group in national initiatives in arthritis research. JIARG works closely with the Arthritis Society of Canada, the Alberta and Northwest Territories Division of the Arthritis Society and the Canadian Arthritis Network (CAN)- a nation-wide team of more than 80 researchers.
Other major sources of support includes the Alberta Heritage Foundation for Medical Research (AHFMR)which has helped establish and support many investigators in the JIARG since inception. Another important source of support is through a group of local citizens and business people who have generated research monies through the Western Orthopaedic and Arthritis Research Foundation (WOARF).
Presently, the centre does not coordinate clinical services; therefore it is unable to accept patient referrals.
Address & Contact Information
Foothills Medical Centre
1403 29 Street NW
Calgary, AB T2N 2T9
Telephone: 403-220-4554
Fax: 403-283-7742
History of WOARF
WOARF was established in 1989.
The Western Orthopaedic and Arthritis Research Foundation (WOARF) is a non-profit organization that consists of 17 individuals including businessmen, orthopaedic surgeons, rheumatologists, and basic researchers. Initially, WOARF raised the funds necessary to construct and furnish the McCaig Centre for Joint Injury and Arthritis Research, which is a 30,000 square foot research Centre housed on the entire 4th floor of the Heritage Medical Research Building in the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Calgary. At present, the WOARF members meet quarterly to administer funds for future growth of the McCaig Centre and for innovative projects in Joint Injury and Arthritis research or development.
Board of Directors of the Western Orthopaedic and Arthritis Research Foundation:
- Mr. J. R. McCaig — Trimac Ltd
- Mr. R. Melchin — Three Sisters Resorts
- Mr. I. Robinson — Ernst & Young
- Mr. R. Tingle — Tingle & Associates
- Dr. C. Frank — Orthopaedic Surgeon
- Dr. G. Hughes — Orthopaedic Surgeon
- Mr. M. Gray — Semi-Retired
- Dr. S. Miller — Orthopaedic Surgeon
- Mr. D. Kitchen — Self-Employed (formerly with the Royal Bank of Canada)
- Mr. A. Dumont — CenAlta Energy Services Inc.
- Mr. R. McDaniel — McDaniel & Associates Consulting Ltd.
- Dr. R. Zernicke — Researcher and Dean of the Faculty of Kinesiology, University of Calgary
- Mr. G. Little — Arthritis Society
- Dr. R. Bray — Orthopaedic Surgeon
- Mr. J. Hayden — Donahue & Partners, Ernst & Young
- Dr. L. Martin — Rheumatologist
- Dr. M. Fritzler — Rheumatologist
May 27th, 2009
REACH! event to celebrate the opening of the new McCaig Institute space in the Health Research Innovation Centre (HRIC). The focus of the “Lunch and Learn” was on spine and included an interactive tour of 3 labs.
January 2009
The McCaig Institute expanded into the new Health Research Innovation Centre (HRIC)
July 2008 to present
Dr. Nigel Shrive, Interim Director of the McCaig Institute for Bone and Joint Health
May 2008
Hosted first ever International Conference in Robotics
November 2007 — June 2008
Dr. David Hart, Interm Director
Fall of 2004 — November 2007
Dr. Cy Frank, Director of the McCaig Institute
October, 2004
The McCaig Centre for Joint Injury and Arthritis Research became the McCaig Intitute for Bone and Joint Health
2002-2004
Dr. Nigel Shrive, Chair of the Joint Injury and Arthritis Research Group
March 21st, 2002
International Conference – Dr. Eric Radin, First McCaig Lecturer
March 21st, 2002
10th Anniversary of the McCaig Centre
1999-2002
Dr. Robert Bray, Chair of the Joint Injury and Arthritis Research Group
1996-1999
Dr. Ron Zernicke, Chair of the Joint Injury and Arthritis Research Group
1993-1995
Dr. David Hart, Chair of the Joint Injury and Arthritis Research Group, McCaig Centre, Faculty of Medicine, University of Calgary
March 23rd, 1993
First Anniversary of the McCaig Centre for Joint Injury and Arthritis Research (26 members)
March 25th, 1992
Grand opening of the McCaig Centre for Joint Injury and Arthritis Research
1991
Partners in Health Campaign – Project Motion: The Next Step
December, 1991
Researchers and clinicians moved into the new McCaig Centre for Joint Injury and Arthritis Research in the Heritage Medical Research Building (4th floor)
1988 – 1993
Project Motion – Dr. Frank, Chair of the Joint Injury and Arthritis Research Group
1989
The Western Orthopaedic and Arthritis Research Foundation (WOARF) was established
1988
First Annual Report
June 1988
Joint Injury and Diseases Research Group Established
1984-1988
Musculoskeletal Research Group was formed (Dr. Schachar, Dr. Frank, Dr. Rowlands, and Dr. Shrive)
Early 1980s
Orthopaedic Research Group at The Calgary General Hospital (Dr. Schachar, Dr. Frank, Donna McDonald and Donna Bodie).