2010 INDUCTEE Calvin R. Stiller, MD Infectious Disease, Allergy & Immunity, Leadership in Organizational Development, Health and Medical Education & Training, Diabetes

Born:

February 12, 1941

(Naicam, Saskatchewan)

Education:

MD, University of Saskatchewan (1965)

Awards & Honours:

2016: Honorary DSc, University of British Columbia

2011: Officer of the Order of Canada

See All Awards

Championed innovation in health and biomedical research and pioneered multi-organ transplantation

A leading authority on immunology and organ transplantation

Dr. Stiller’s magic touch as a builder pervades every phase of his career. A physician, scientist, administrator, policy innovator and entrepreneur, Dr. Stiller developed one of the most dynamic organ transplant programs in the nation and championed countless other initiatives that have enriched research enterprise in Canada. It was Dr. Stiller who, in the late 1970’s, obtained the promising new drug cyclosporine and organized its first multi-centre clinical trial in kidney transplantation in North America, creating the foundation for subsequent studies that put Canada on the world stage. He was responsible for the ground-breaking research that showed that cyclosporine, an immunosuppressant, could halt the progression of Type 1 Diabetes – demonstrating that it was an immune disorder.

Key Facts

Cyclosporine remains today as the drug of choice to combat tissue rejection after transplantation

Founded Transplant International, the first organization of its kind in Canada

Popularized the term “Gift of Life” and initiated the Organ Donor Card attached to drivers’ licences

Co-founded science-based venture capital funds and several of Canada’s largest medical and scientific organizations including the MaRS Centre and the Ontario Institute for Cancer Research

Professional timeline

Impact on lives today

Dr. Stiller’s ground-breaking research and tireless promotion of organ transplantation continues to sustain life-saving work. When Dr. Stiller began his career in medicine, less than 50 organ transplants were performed in London each year. As of 2004, there were over 200 and in 2019 there were over 3,000 across Canada. Additionally, in a lifetime an individual might be successful in creating one institution or program. Dr. Stiller has been the architect of many, including the Medical Hall of Fame. His visionary building of public and private institutions has created a legacy that for many years will advance Canadian research, employ thousands of individuals, and raise the profile of Canadian innovation around the world.

2025

April 13, 2010
Calvin Stiller inducted into the Canadian Medical Hall of Fame

Calgary, Alberta
1996
Named Ontario Entrepreneur of the Year

As of 2018, over 17,000 people are employed by MaRS-supported companies.
1994
The Canadian Medical Discovery Fund was established
Leadership in Organizational Development
Convinced that there was a serious lack of capital available to Canadian bioscientists, Dr. Stiller honed his idea of involving the private sector in stimulating a real Canadian-grown life sciences industry.
1987
Appointed to the board of the Medical Research Council of Canada
Leadership in Organizational Development
This appointment coincided with his shift towards medical entrepreneurship.
1986
He co-founded the Robarts Research Institute in London, Ontario.
Leadership in Organizational Development
1984
Dr. Calvin Stiller established and led the Multi-Organ Transplant Service at University Hospital
Patient Care
The Service was the first of its kind in Canada and one of the first in the world.
1979
Cyclosporine was discovered
Evidence-based Medicine & Clinical Trials, Infectious Disease, Allergy & Immunity, Leadership in Organizational Development
As a result of Dr. Stiller’s leadership, University Hospital in London was selected as one of only a few centres in the world to conduct clinical studies with this new drug.
1971
Returned to Western University
Leadership in Organizational Development
In 1972, he was appointed Chief of Nephrology and Transplantation and, later, Director of Immunology at the John P. Robarts Institute.
1960
At the age of 20, entered medical school at the University of Saskatchewan
Infectious Disease, Allergy & Immunity
After graduation in 1965, he completed 5 years of post-graduate fellowships and the University of Western Ontario and the University of Alberta where he specialized in kidney disease, transplantation immunology and infection.