Dr. Peter B. Dent Memorial Lecture celebrates legacy of pediatric excellence

Following the success of last year’s inaugural event, the Department of Pediatrics hosted the second annual Dr. Peter B. Dent Memorial Lecture on Thursday, October 12, 2023.  

Faculty members, hospital leaders, staff, learners, and the family of the late Dr. Peter Dent gathered for this annual lecture, an event that stands as a testament to the enduring excellence in pediatric care, research, education, and leadership that Dr. Dent established. 

Dent, a luminary in pediatric rheumatology and immunology, is remembered for his outstanding clinical care and research and his instrumental role in founding what is now known as McMaster Children’s Hospital and the adjacent Ronald McDonald House.

“We are forever indebted to Peter for his vision and leadership that has immeasurably grown our capacity to serve the children and families of our region,” said Ereny Bassilious, Associate Chair of Education in the Department of Pediatrics.  

Bassilious welcomed this year’s virtual guest speaker, Rae Yeung, a former colleague and friend of Dr. Dent, who shared cherished memories and presented her topic, “The ABCs of MIS-C (multi-system inflammatory syndrome in children)” to the hybrid audience.   

Yeung, a professor of pediatrics, immunology and medical science at the University of Toronto, and a senior scientist and staff rheumatologist at The Hospital for Sick Children, is dedicated to understanding the mechanisms governing autoimmunity through her research.  

Watch Dr. Yeung’s lecture presentation here.

After the lecture, in-person attendees gathered at McMaster’s Farncombe Atrium for a reception, during which the recipients of the first Dr. Peter B. Dent Memorial Research Impact Fund and Dr. Peter B. Dent Memorial Resident Scholarship were honoured.  

Gita Wahi, Associate Chair of Research, awarded the Dr. Peter B. Dent Memorial Research Impact Fund to Peter Rosenbaum, professor of pediatrics. This annual fund recognizes a physician-researcher within the Department of Pediatrics who demonstrates exceptional collaboration and excellence, ultimately leading to improved healthcare for children in our community and beyond. 

Bassilious also presented the recipients of the Dr. Peter B. Dent Memorial Resident Scholarship in Pediatrics: Elaine Choi, PGY5 resident in the McMaster Pediatric Neurology Resident Program, and Andrés Felipe Fajardo, PGY4 Core Pediatrics resident at McMaster University. 

This Scholarship is awarded to residents in Pediatrics who demonstrate leadership qualities and excellence in research, academic, and clinical care.  

Lastly, Diane Dent, wife of Dr. Dent, extended her heartfelt appreciation to all attendees for yet another successful memorial lecture in honour of her late husband.  

“Peter would’ve been profoundly humbled by all this work done in honour of him,” she reflected.