2025 Florence Flinker Visiting Professor in Colorectal Surgical Oncology

2025 Florence Flinker Visiting Professor in Colorectal Surgical Oncology

On March 19 and 20, 2025, Cedars was proud to host the 3rd annual Florence Flinker Visiting Professor in Colorectal Surgical Oncology: Matthew Albert, MD, FACS, FASCRS. Dr. Albert is a member of the elite colon and rectal surgery team at AdventHealth Medical Group, in Orlando, Florida. 

Established in 2022 by Michael Flinker and Dr. Marcia Gillman and their family, as well as the Cedars Cancer Foundation, the Florence Flinker Visiting Professorship in Colorectal Surgical Oncology allows us to host a world-class expert in the field of colorectal surgical oncology at the MUHC every year. This provides our healthcare practitioners with firsthand knowledge about the latest developments and technologies in research and care. It also fosters healthy discussions among leading professionals, stimulates innovation, and bolsters the education of our doctors, medical students, postdocs, and fellows.

The Florence Flinker Visiting Professorship in Colorectal Surgical Oncology honours the life of a remarkable woman who had a profound impact on her family. Florence Flinker was born in Poland in 1921 and immigrated to Canada at the age of 5. She was diagnosed with colorectal cancer in 1995. In November of that year, she underwent surgery, followed by 30 cycles of chemotherapy, which ended in June of 1996. Thanks to the innovative care she received, she went on to lead a full life and passed away from unrelated causes in 2009. Florence was an inspiration to her children and grandchildren, in whom she instilled a sense of community, generosity of spirit and hard work.

In these pictures: Dr. Matthew Albert with Dr. Sender Liberman, Dr. Lawrence Lee, Dr. Patrick Charlebois, Dr. Barry Stein, as well as fellows and residents.