May, 2026 | Edmonton, Alberta
The Royal Alexandra Hospital Foundation (RAHF), University Hospital Foundation (UHF) and Alberta Cancer Foundation (ACF) are proud to celebrate a significant international achievement by Edmonton Urologist Dr. Adam Kinnaird, whose innovative work in prostate cancer diagnosis continues to advance men’s healthcare in Alberta and beyond, and has been supported by a collaboration between the three foundations.
Dr. Kinnaird has recently been awarded the prestigious EAU Imaging Vision Award 2026 by the European Association of Urology (EAU). His research study, titled “Microultrasonography-Guided vs MRI-Guided Biopsy for Prostate Cancer Diagnosis: The OPTIMUM Randomized Clinical Trial,” was selected as the most innovative imaging study published in urology over the past year.
“This award recognizes a huge amount of work that was done at twenty medical centres across eight different countries, with the trial providing level 1 evidence for a new imaging tool that may provide faster, cheaper, and more portable imaging for men at elevated risk of prostate cancer,” says Dr. Adam Kinnaird. “A heartfelt thank you to the patients, research staff, and clinicians who made this trial a success.”
The award was formally presented on March 14, 2026, at the 41st Annual EAU Congress in London, recognizing Dr. Kinnaird’s leadership in advancing diagnostic precision and patient outcomes in prostate cancer care.
This international recognition underscores the critical role of donor support in enabling leading-edge research and clinical excellence in Edmonton, and the province at large. A significant proportion of prostate surgeries in Alberta and the Territories are performed at the Royal Alexandra Hospital and the University of Alberta Hospital, making the city a central hub for men’s health for the Province and Canada’s North.
Dr. Kinnaird’s successful recruitment to remain in Edmonton was made possible through the generous support of donors to the Royal Alexandra Hospital Foundation, University Hospital Foundation and Alberta Cancer Foundation. Ongoing donor investment continues to drive innovation, attract top-tier medical talent, and improve care for patients across the province.
“This achievement highlights not only Dr. Kinnaird’s exceptional work, but also the powerful impact of philanthropy in advancing health care,” said Sharlene Rutherford, President and CEO of the Royal Alexandra Hospital Foundation. “Together with our partners at the University Hospital Foundation and Alberta Cancer Foundation, we are proud to support the kind of research that is transforming how prostate cancer is diagnosed and treated not just in Edmonton but around the world.”
“Retaining world-class talent like Dr. Kinnaird in Alberta is exactly why we invest in research and innovation,” said Wendy Beauchesne, CEO of the Alberta Cancer Foundation. “This international recognition proves that when we provide the right tools to the best minds, the discoveries made here in Edmonton change the standard of care for patients everywhere.”
“As Divisional Director I am very proud of the impactful work Dr. Kinnaird and his team have done to advance the field of prostate cancer diagnostics. This and other potentially revolutionary studies are a testament to the commitment of our Division to improve access and outcomes of men with prostate cancer,” said Trevor Schuler, Division Director and Zone Section Head of Urology within the Department of Surgery in the Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry at the University of Alberta. “This work would not be possible without the strong partnership with the hospital foundations and their donors.”
Quick facts:
In 2011 the RAHF, UHF, and ACF teamed up to create the Campaign for Prostate Health, which eventually surpassed its original fundraising goal of $26 million. Donors were instrumental in advancing diagnosis, care, and treatment at all three sites by helping to fund:
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Dr. Adam Kinnaird
Dr. Adam Kinnaird is a surgeon-scientist and Chair of the Alberta Prostate Cancer Research Initiative (APCaRI), as well as the Frank and Carla Sojonky Chair in Prostate Cancer Research in the Division of Urology. Funding for this Chair is provided by the Alberta Cancer Foundation through an endowment made by the late Frank Sojonky and the Bird Dogs volunteer group to drive innovation in the diagnosis and treatment of prostate cancer.
Dr. Kinnaird completed advanced fellowship training at UCLA in imaging, targeted biopsy, and focal therapy for prostate cancer. His research program focuses on translational prostate cancer studies, including the development of new drugs, technologies, and medical devices.
A graduate of the University of Alberta, Dr. Kinnaird was a varsity athlete and two-time national champion with the Golden Bears men’s hockey team. He completed his MD, urology residency, and PhD at the University of Alberta through the Clinician Investigator Program, earning recognition as a Vanier Scholar and receiving the Governor General’s Gold Medal for research excellence. Since joining the faculty in 2020, he has published in leading journals such as JAMA, JAMA Oncology, Nature Reviews Urology, and has secured competitive research funding at the local, regional, and national levels.