A family legacy: Unlocking better bone and joint treatments | News

Maurice McCaig could expertly drive commercial trucks and Formula One race cars, and pilot helicopters. “He loved anything with an engine in it,” says his nephew, Jeff McCaig.

But Maurice himself didn’t make a lot of noise. He was genial, with the ability to build rapport with anyone, but he preferred to just be himself.

“He was quiet, modest,” says Jeff. “He did a lot of very generous and charitable things without recognition, which was his preference.”

Under the radar, Maurice was still a difference maker. Among his many donations were significant contributions to the McCaig Institute for Bone and Joint Health, established by his brother, J.R. (Bud) McCaig, Hon. LLD’98, in 1992 at what is now the University of Calgary’s Cumming School of Medicine (CSM).

Now, a $5-million legacy gift from Maurice, who died on Sept. 5, 2024, endows the Launch and Accelerate Fund at the McCaig Institute, ensuring scientific excellence for years to come. Interest from the endowment will support the fund with $2.5 million over the next decade. 

Cumming School of Medicine Dean Dr. Todd Anderson

Cumming School of Medicine

“We are extremely grateful to Maurice and his family for their unwavering support,” says Dr. Todd Anderson, MD’85, dean of the CSM. “This is an opportunity for us to honour his legacy while we continue to revolutionize bone and joint-health research. Maurice’s generosity will enable us to improve the care and outcomes of patients in Alberta — and beyond. This gift lays the groundwork for future success.”

Solving complex bone and joint problems

The fund will be used to empower next-generation researchers, who are crucial to driving innovation and pushing the boundaries to enable new discoveries. 

Nurturing future leaders is critical, says Dr. Cheryl Barnabe, MD, MSc’11, and the Launch and Accelerate Fund will support early career researchers and trainees in musculoskeletal health, while also awarding catalyst grants to help McCaig researchers conduct transdisciplinary and collaborative research projects.

“A variety of approaches, skills, perspectives and disciplines are needed to solve complex problems” says Barnabe, director of the McCaig Institute since January 2024. “McCaig Institute researchers have a longstanding commitment to working in teams with multiple domains of expertise represented, with the ultimate goal of preserving mobility and physical function.”

McCaig Institute Director Dr. Cheryl Barnabe, MD

McCaig Institute for Bone and Joint Health

Following the founding of the McCaig Institute more than 30 years ago, Maurice began to donate to a range of CSM initiatives, and in his later years became more engaged in what the institute was doing. “He was very interested in what my dad started,” says Jeff, a member of the McCaig Institute’s Strategic Advisory Board, a committee chaired by his wife, Marilyn, BEd’75.

With the fund’s backing, the institute is also able to attract principal investigators in high-priority areas such as osteoarthritis, rheumatology, metabolic bone diseases, cancers of bone and soft tissues, and spine health. 

“We want to be able to grow and diversify — recruiting people who bring new knowledge and new technology expertise to the institute. Maurice’s gift helps us recruit the best talent out there,” says Barnabe. “Without this support, we wouldn’t be able to grow.”

Research into impact 

The funding will also enhance operational capabilities at the McCaig Institute, which is home to two world-class facilities — the Centre for Mobility and Joint Health, a premier musculoskeletal research imaging centre in Canada; and the Biomechanics Lab, which hosts critical equipment for the testing of bone and joint integrity. Supporting these cutting-edge resources means that breakthroughs will continue to be transformed into real-world impact.

“Through this initiative and other research institutes at the CSM, UCalgary has created a space for top researchers from around the world to pursue excellence in their fields of investigation. The fruits of their work will improve health care and outcomes for future generations of Albertans,” says Jeff. 

Adds Barnabe: “The McCaigs are an incredible family; they’ve been so committed to Bud’s vision. (Bud) passed away 20 years ago, yet they’re still strongly behind the work that we’re doing and are very engaged in the activities at the institute, making sure we’re on the right course. 

“They’re amazing champions for bone and joint health.”

Over the years, Maurice and his wife, Nicole, contributed more than $7 million to UCalgary, including the legacy gift.

“This infusion helps set us up for the next decade or more,” says Barnabe. “We’re incredibly fortunate to have the generosity of Maurice, as well as the rest of the McCaig family.”