McMaster University is poised to become a global leader in kinesiology and healthspan optimization, thanks to a transformative $50-million gift from alumna Dr. Marcy McCall MacBain, BSc '00, LLD '24 and John McCall MacBain, with the McCall MacBain Foundation. It is the largest philanthropic investment in kinesiology in Canadian university history.
The endowed gift will establish the McCall MacBain Kinesiology and Healthspan Institute, four McCall MacBain Chairs in Healthy Living, and the Marcy C. McCall Kinesiology Scholarships.
The funding will accelerate world-leading research, transform community practice and train generations of health leaders to improve lives by extending healthspans.
"Kinesiology is a powerful foundation for understanding health and what sets McMaster's program apart is how it builds on that through global leadership in evidence-based medicine," said Marcy McCall MacBain. "At the McCall MacBain Foundation, we are proud to accelerate the momentum McMaster's faculty have already built. This grant has two goals: to put healthspan research at the forefront of how Canada thinks about health policy, and to give kinesiology students the leadership and training opportunities they need to make a lasting difference in the health of people's lives."
Redefining longevity through healthspan
Healthspan the years of life lived in good health, with preserved function, independence and freedom from disabling disease is distinct from lifespan, which focuses on how long people live. This gift aims to support efforts to prevent disease and reduce time spent in poor health, helping people live better, not just longer.
Fuelling discovery, facilitating learning, creating change
The newly created McCall MacBain Kinesiology and Healthspan Institute will serve as a platform to catalyze interdisciplinary collaboration, advance cutting-edge research and turn it into real-world impact. Building on McMaster's existing strengths in health research and community engagement, the institute will accelerate the translation of the latest evidence into policy, practice and community outreach, supporting people throughout Canada and around the world to enjoy more years in good health.
The institute will be jointly affiliated with the Department of Kinesiology in the Faculty of Science and the Department of Health Research Methods, Evidence, and Impact in the Faculty of Health Sciences. It will collaborate across campus to support research and strengthen existing health-focused centres.
This includes the Physical Activity Centre of Excellence (PACE), a community-focused hub for research, education and programs that use physical activity to improve health and well-being. PACE serves more than 500 community members each year and is home to more than 250 students, who work alongside health professionals such as kinesiologists, physiotherapists and occupational therapists in a state-of-the-art exercise and rehabilitation facility.
The institute's work will be shaped by four McCall MacBain Chairs in Healthy Living, who will bring globally leading expertise across kinesiology and integrated health, healthspan research, impacts of the physical environment on health, and evidence-informed health policy.
Working alongside the chairholders will be the Marcy C. McCall Kinesiology Scholars. These scholarships are the first of their kind in Canada to offset tuition and guarantee funding for experiential learning. Available to up to 10 students each year, each scholarship includes $50,000 in stipends, supporting future health leaders through opportunities such as internships at PACE, summer research placements and international exchanges.
"This remarkable gift from Marcy and John, and the McCall MacBain Foundation, represents an investment in healthier futures," said Dr. Susan Tighe, president and vice-chancellor of McMaster University.
"The institute strongly aligns with McMaster's commitment to advance human and societal health and well-being. It will support bold ideas, groundbreaking approaches and new discoveries that will help people thrive. We are deeply grateful for this support from the McCall MacBain Foundation for positioning McMaster as a global leader in discovering, teaching and translating healthspan research."
A longstanding commitment to McMaster
The gift reflects Marcy McCall MacBain's enduring relationship with McMaster and her academic and professional journey. After graduating from the university with an honours bachelors degree in kinesiology, she earned her master of science (MSc) in international health policy from the London School of Economics and Social Policy and her doctor of philosophy (DPhil) in evidence-based health care from Oxford University in England. She then became a lecturer and academic dedicated to improving research methods and access to quality health care.
"I am a proud graduate of McMaster University," said Marcy McCall MacBain, who was inducted into the university's Alumni Gallery in 2017 and awarded an honorary doctorate in 2024. "This is a unique institution in Canada, with exceptional leadership in the field of kinesiology and health sciences. It is deeply rewarding to give back and support a community that continues to develop leaders who will transform the future of health."
Looking ahead
In the months ahead, the McCall MacBain Kinesiology and Healthspan Institute will begin laying the foundation for its launch, including the recruitment of chairholders and the inaugural cohort of scholars. Recruitment and application processes are expected to begin in summer 2026, with updates shared through the institute's website.
