It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Dr. Charles Frenette on September 23, 2025. Charles left us in the company of his family, in Sainte-Ad猫le, surrounded by the nature where he grew up.
A graduate of 91直播鈥檚 Faculty of Medicine, with residency training in Infectious Diseases and Medical Microbiology, Charles began his career at Charles Lemoyne Hospital. He was recruited to the MUHC to lead our Infection Prevention and Control program in 2007, where he served as a clinician, educator, administrator, and leader for nearly two decades. We are all indebted to him for his leadership during COVID-19, but many remember him for his ongoing efforts before and after COVID-19 to make the hospital a better place to heal and a better place to work.
Known for cycling to work from the South Shore, showing up with unruly hair and a big smile, Charles was an eternal optimist. He found joy in absolutely everything, appreciating life in a way we could all learn from 鈥� if it was nice outside, he admired the view from every angle; if he was enjoying a nice meal in a restaurant, the food and the wine were 鈥渇antastic.鈥� He brought this appreciation for life outside the hospital to work and to the people he worked with. Whether leading a hospital committee or steering a provincial effort, Charles was passionate about generating and analyzing data to look for solutions to problems big and small. Despite facing medical struggles over this past year, he refused to complain but rather devoted his time to his team and his work, most notably in Infection Prevention and Control.
Charles leaves behind his beloved family, countless colleagues, and friends whose lives are forever enriched by having shared time with him. He will be greatly missed.