Since childhood, Marc-Olivier Deguise has always been full of energy. “I was a real whirlwind of a little guy,” he says, smiling.
His parents quickly sought to fuel his natural curiosity, encouraging him to learn and explore.
“My parents always did everything they could to provide me with the best opportunities,” Deguise says. “They really shaped my values, my sense of discipline and my way of interacting with others.”
After completing the MD/PhD program and his residency in neonatology at the uOttawa Faculty of Medicine, Dr. Deguise is building a career in a field where each scientific breakthrough can change the course of a life within days of birth.
From pediatrics to research: A calling is born
Long before Deguise first thought about studying medicine, he had a pediatrician who left a strong impression.
“She was empathetic, charismatic,” he says. “Looking back, I realize just how important she was to my family.”
As he grew up, his admiration turned into more in-depth consideration of how vulnerable sick children can be.
“Children have no control over being born prematurely, developmental differences during pregnancy, genetic conditions or any other situation they find themselves in. But what happens to them can completely change the trajectory of the rest of their lives.”
After that realization, he was naturally drawn to pediatrics, and then to research. Meeting Professor Rashmi Kothary at the Faculty of Medicine would prove pivotal in starting Deguise’s next chapter.
“No one really talks about research as a career when you’re young. It wasn’t until university that I came across that world.”
Deguise researched pediatric neuromuscular disorders. During this work, he witnessed the emergence of gene therapies that could transform the prognosis for children who would previously have faced an early death.
“All of a sudden, you realize medicine needs research. Without research, there would be no treatment.”
At the heart of neonatal intensive care
Initially, Deguise thought he’d go into pediatric neurology. But starting a general pediatrics residency broadened his horizons and sent him in a new direction.
During his rotations, he discovered neonatology, “a challenging, unpredictable, deeply moving environment.”
“In neonatal intensive care, you never know what’s going to happen. I like that dynamic kind of medicine, where you have to assimilate a huge amount of information in a short time,” he says.
His main motivator is the tremendous impact that early interventions can have on premature or critically ill babies.
“There’s probably no place where interventions have as much of an impact on the rest of a patient’s life.”
In the toughest times, Deguise stays focused on his goal of helping kids reach their full potential.
“These babies have often had a really unlucky start in life. Our job is to get them the best possible care to ensure they get the best possible chances.”
“These babies have often had a really unlucky start in life. Our job is to get them the best possible care to ensure they get the best possible chances.”
Dr. Marc-Olivier Deguise
Researcher, mentor and father
Today, Deguise is working with Dr. Bernard Thébaud, professor in the Faculty’s Department of Pediatrics and scientist at the Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, to conduct clinical research on cell therapies for babies at risk of a lung condition known as bronchopulmonary dysplasia. A Phase 2 clinical trial is scheduled to begin this year.
“I hope that in 5 to 10 years, it will become an accessible treatment for our patients,” Deguise says.
However, he knows that the road to becoming a clinician investigator is challenging, especially after reductions in financial support for MD/PhD students.
“It’s important to keep supporting those pathways. Clinician investigators play a vital role in linking clinical and research work.”
Grateful for the mentors that shaped his journey, he decided to get involved in helping students himself during his education. For instance, he served as a mentor for younger learners, allowing him to pass on the support and encouragement that helped get him where he is today.
“No one succeeds in that journey alone,” he says. “The mentors, teams and people that believe in you can completely change your trajectory.”
“No one succeeds in that journey alone. The mentors, teams and people that believe in you can completely change your trajectory.”
Dr. Marc-Olivier Deguise
Outside of medicine, Deguise finds balance through sports, home renovations, gardening and, above all, being a new father.
It’s an experience that has also changed how he sees the families he cares for at the hospital.
“There are a lot of things I asked of my patients and their families without realizing just how hard things could be in day-to-day life. There are realities I understand differently now.”
Supporting future MD/PhD students
Becoming a clinician investigator takes years of additional training, research and commitment. During the MD/PhD program, Deguise was able to rely on financial support to pursue this demanding dual career in medicine and research.
Today, many students in these programs no longer have access to that level of support.
By giving to the Audrey J. Boyce MD/PhD Fellowship at the uOttawa Faculty of Medicine, you can help train the next generation of clinician investigators who will make breakthroughs in treatment, care and medical innovations to serve patients.