Dr. Finlay among the 2018 Laureates inducted into the Canadian Medical Hall of Fame

Dr. Bryce Taylor, Chair of the Canadian Medical Hall of Fame (CMHF) announced today that Dr. B. Brett Finlay was among six new laureates who have been selected for induction into the Canadian Medical Hall of Fame. Finlay is a Professor in the Michael Smith Laboratories, with joint appointments in the Department of Microbiology & Immunology, and the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. He is internationally recognized in the field of host-microbe interactions and a major leader in efforts to improve Canadian health.

Finlay’s research interests are focused on understanding how microbes interact with their host. He combines cell biology with microbiology to define how bacterial infections work, with Salmonella and pathogenic E. coli being the primary focus. Finlay has applied this fundamental knowledge to develop new ways of controlling these infections with vaccines and novel therapeutics targeting the immune response. Importantly, he has been a pioneer in the microbiome field, showing that the human microbiome influence enteric diseases, asthma, and malnutrition.

Finlay has made outstanding contributions to improve public knowledge about how the microbiome affects human health, including co-authoring the bestselling book Let Them Eat Dirt: Saving Your Child from an Oversanitized World, praised by pediatricians, naturopaths and parents alike.

Canadian Medical Hall of Fame Laureates are individuals whose contributions to medicine and the health sciences have led to extraordinary improvements in human health. Their work may be a single meritorious contribution or a lifetime of superior accomplishments. Pioneers in their field, they are role models for Canadians and an inspiration to our youth to pursue careers in the health sciences.

Finlay was among six 2018 new laureates named. They include:
Dr. Philip B. Berger, Toronto ON
Dr. B. Brett Finlay, Vancouver BC
Dr. Vladimir Hachinksi, London ON
Dr. Balfour M. Mount, Montreal QC
Dr. Cheryl Rockman-Greenberg, Winnipeg MB
The late Dr. Emily Stowe, Toronto ON

These Canadian and international leaders will celebrate this important recognition at a ceremony held in association with Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, Western University on April 12, 2018 at the London Convention Centre in London, Ontario.