For years, the outcome of nearly every Alzheimer’s clinical trial was disappointment.

Still, Dr. Andrew Frank kept going.

When he arrived in Ottawa nearly two decades ago, the cognitive behavioural neurologist with the Bruyère Health Memory Clinic at Bruyère Health came with a dream of changing the future of Alzheimer’s disease. He wanted to stop the “inexorable deterioration” of mind and memory, and the way the condition slowly erases the people we care about.

“At the time, the brain was what inspired me,” Dr. Frank said at Thursday night’s Blossoms for Bruyère dinner held at Restaurant E18hteen in the ByWard Market.

The brain, he said, “is who we are.

“It gives us our memories, our memories which let us learn and love. It gives us our words, which is our poetry and our literature.”

Then came the hard part.

For the first five years, every clinical trial failed. The attempts during the next five years failed, too.

“Ten years in, we were asking ourselves, are we going to keep doing this and failing?” he recalled. “But I was never going to give up. And Bruyère never gives up.”

Finally, after roughly 15 years, came a breakthrough.

In 2022, two Alzheimer’s clinical trials, one of which involved Bruyère Health researchers, produced the first positive results seen in decades. Health Canada has since approved both treatments.

Bruyère Health is the first hospital in Ottawa and the region to provide access to these new treatments.

The medications slow the progression of the disease by up to 30 per cent. Dr. Frank compared the advances to the earliest days of chemotherapy and MS treatments, describing them as first steps that could lead to something transformative.

“This is the beginning,” said Dr. Frank, whose earlier training included a fellowship at the Mayo Clinic.

Dr. Andrew Frank talked about the progress being made toward diagnosing and treating Alzheimer’s at the Blossoms for Bruyère dinner held at Restaurant E18hteen. Photo by Caroline Phillips

Researchers are also focusing on early detection of Alzheimer’s through a blood test. “Full-on prevention of Alzheimer’s disease is our dream. I imagine a future where you can get a blood test for Alzheimer’s as we age. If there’s a problem, there would be a treatment, and we could try to eliminate dementia from our world,” said Dr. Frank.

The researcher’s compelling presentation held everyone’s attention, even inspiring some of the attendees to rise to their feet in applause when he was done.

“Dr. Frank has really inspired us with his commitment and passion, and we’re excited to see where his research leads and the positive impact it will have on people living with dementia,” said Dr. Kumanan Wilson, CEO and chief scientific officer at Bruyère Health Research Institute, which, he noted, is one of the fastest-growing hospital research institutes in the country.

Dr. Wilson quoted one of his role models, Apple co-founder Steve Jobs: “‘We’re here to put a dent in the universe. Otherwise, why are we here at all?’ I think that’s Andrew [Frank]’s dream as well.”

The 128 guests of the $250-per-ticket dinner were welcomed by Bruyère Health president and CEO Guy Chartrand. He’s been leading the health-care provider since 2017.

Many of its patients face complex and life-challenging health challenges, making it the “largest specialized hospital of its kind in the country,” said Chartrand. “We treat patients that many hospitals cannot take.

“We are the next step in care,” he said of the work they do to support patients recovering from serious illness or injury, living with complex medical needs or nearing the end of life. “That is what makes Bruyère Health so special. These are our neighbours, your friends, your colleagues and your family members.”

Bruyère Health physician Dr. Véronique French Merkley and Guy Chartrand, president and CEO of Bruyère Health, at Restaurant E18hteen for the Blossoms for Bruyère dinner. Photo by Caroline Phillips

Dr. Kumanan Wilson, CEO and chief scientific officer at Bruyère Health Research Institute, spoke at Blossoms for Bruyère, held at Restaurant E18hteen. Photo by Caroline Phillips

By 2040, more than 3.1 million Ontario residents will be living with at least one major illness, according to the Ontario Hospital Association. That’s why the Bruyère Health Foundation has launched its $25-million Living Well, Aging Boldly campaign, co-chaired by Ottawa businessmen and brothers Rob Moffatt, Steve Moffatt and Jeff Moffatt with support from campaign cabinet volunteers.

The room heard from Dr. Véronique French Merkley, attending physician with the Department of Care of the Elderly and co-lead of the Corporate Dementia Strategy, and Bruyère Health’s vice president of clinical programs and chief of nursing and health professionals, Paula Doering. She didn’t know just how much she’d eventually appreciate having six siblings until it came time to care for their elderly father after he developed dementia. “I have to say, it took an army to care for my dad,” said Doering.

“I think everybody in the room knows somebody who has dementia; it is a rapidly growing disease,” said Doering, who’s worked in health care for 43 years.

Bruyère Health senior VP and chief nursing executive Paula Doering delivered remarks at the Blossoms for Bruyère dinner held at Restaurant E18hteen on Thursday, May 7, 2026. Photo by Caroline Phillips

Heather Tessier called dementia her greatest fear. “It’s personal for me,” she said, describing how the disease affected her grandmother, mother and aunt. Speaking with emotion, she recalled watching her mother “slowly slip away,” eventually becoming non-verbal and unable to smile.

The experience also prompted Tessier to make major lifestyle changes aimed at reducing her own risk of developing the disease. “I look in the rearview mirror and I see dementia,” she said. “And I say, ‘Get the heck out’ … I want a different future.”

Tessier has been raising funds that support Bruyère Health doctors and researchers working toward better treatment and a cure through her Music for Memory benefit concerts. Her next one is slated for June 6 at the Lonestar Texas Grill off St. Laurent Boulevard.

Money is also being raised through a VIP experience for eight at this year’s Gwen Stefani concert at Bluesfest, similar to last year’s Green Day concert package. Silent auction bidding remains open until June.

The evening wrapped up with remarks of gratitude from Chartrand, who also led a toast to the supporters who stand behind Bruyère Health through their volunteer leadership and philanthropy, helping to keep “compassion, innovation and humanity at its heart.”

From left, Brian Murray (VP leasing and business development at Waterford Property Group), CTV National News’ Ottawa bureau chief Graham Richardson, Steve Moffatt (VP at Waterford Property Group), Charles Sezlik (Sezlik.com) and Paul Amirault (Norton Rose Fulbright Canada LLP) at Blossoms for Bruyère, held at Restaurant E18hteen on Thursday, May 7, 2026. Photo by Caroline Phillips

Caroline Gosselin, owner of Restaurant E18hteen, which was the host venue for the Blossoms for Bruyère dinner held in support of Bruyère Health. Photo by Caroline Phillips

Ottawa lawyer and businessman Danny Fernandes, honorary ambassador with Bruyère Health Foundation, and his wife Sandra Guttmann at the Blossoms for Bruyère dinner held at Restaurant E18hteen. Photo by Caroline Phillips

Guy Chartrand, president and CEO of Bruyère Health, welcomed 128 guests to the Blossoms for Bruyère dinner held at Restaurant E18hteen. Photo by Caroline Phillips

From left, Bruyère Health Research Institute CEO and chief scientific officer Dr. Kumanan Wilson with his wife Kim Barnhardt, and Dr. Bella Mehta and her husband, Sanjay Shah, founder and CEO of ExecHealth and volunteer with the Living Well, Aging Boldly campaign. Photo by Caroline Phillips

From left, Yves Laberge, vice president and general manager of Star Motors of Ottawa Mercedes-Benz, and owner Jeff Mierins at the Blossoms for Bruyère dinner held at Restaurant E18hteen. Photo by Caroline Phillips

Debbie O’Brien, who formerly served on the Bruyère Health Foundation board, including as its chair, attended the Blossoms for Bruyère dinner held at Restaurant E18hteen. Photo by Caroline Phillips

From left, Bruyère Health Foundation interim executive director Kim Curran with board members Christine Irvine, Rob Moffatt and Loretta Layton, and Anick Sabourin, director of marketing and stewardship for Bruyère Health Foundation, at Blossoms for Bruyère. Photo by Caroline Phillips

Dom Santaguida, co-owner of Vittoria Trattoria, and his wife Alex Santaguida attended the Blossoms for Bruyère dinner in support of Bruyère Health. Photo by Caroline Phillips

From left, Bruyère Health board member and Confederation M&A partner Brad Ezard alongside Bruyère Health Foundation board members Elliott Bourgeois, senior manager at First Avenue Investment Counsel, and Joanne Kudakiewicz, community relations manager at Desjardins Financial Security Independent Network, at Blossoms for Bruyère. Photo by Caroline Phillips.

From left, Bruyère Health Foundation board member Shirley Westeinde and her good friend Kathryn Tremblay, co-founder and owner of Altis Recruitment, at Blossoms for Bruyère. Photo by Caroline Phillips

Restaurant E18hteen, a contemporary fine-dining destination in the ByWard Market, hosted the Blossoms for Bruyère dinner in support of the work Bruyère Health is doing in such areas as Alzheimer’s diagnosis, treatment and research. Photo by Caroline Phillips

Kim Curran, interim executive director of Bruyère Health Foundation, with the chair of her board, Scott Brooker, vice president at Cushman & Wakefield Ottawa, at Blossoms for Bruyère. Photo by Caroline Phillips

Ottawa businessman Dale Hill, who’s also a partner with Gowling WLG, and Ottawa philanthropist Kammal Tannis from the family-run Tannis 21 Foundation, at Blossoms for Bruyère. Photo by Caroline Phillips

Heather Tessier shared how Alzheimer’s has impacted her family at Blossoms for Bruyère, held at Restaurant E18hteen in the ByWard Market. Photo by Caroline Phillips

From left, John French and Louise French in conversation with Graham Richardson, CTV National News’ Ottawa bureau chief, at Blossoms for Bruyère, held at Restaurant E18hteen in the ByWard Market. Photo by Caroline Phillips

Restaurant E18hteen, a contemporary fine-dining destination in the ByWard Market, hosted the Blossoms for Bruyère dinner in support of the work Bruyère Health is doing in such areas as Alzheimer’s diagnosis, treatment and research. Photo by Caroline Phillips

This article is made possible through sponsorship from Star Motors, WEALTH (WCPD), Syntax Strategic, RBC, Marilyn Wilson Dream Properties, ExecHealth, Altis Recruitment, Bell Canada, First Avenue Investment Counsel, Welch LLP, Brazeau Seller Law and Prime Benefits Group.
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