2020 Annual Report

In Memoriam
Dr. Viviane Labrie, an associate
professor at Van Andel Institute, passed
away in a tragic vehicle accident Aug. 21,
2020. She was an imaginative, creative
scientist. Her ability to look at the world
through different lenses allowed her to see
things in new ways, and ultimately revealed
groundbreaking insights with the potential
to change lives. Born in Ottawa, Ontario,
and raised in the small town of Deep River,
Ontario, Dr. Labrie quickly established
herself as a globally recognized leader in her field. Although early in her career, she
already had made pioneering discoveries that continue to transform the understanding
of Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s diseases, including the revelation that the appendix may
be a starting point for Parkinson’s. Her findings led to exciting new avenues of discovery
for potential treatments for these diseases and shed light on the underpinnings of many
other conditions, including bipolar disorder, schizophrenia and lactose intolerance.
Innately curious, Dr. Labrie’s creativity and tenacity were immediately evident and
energizing to those around her. She rapidly advanced, earning an early promotion to
associate professor in 2019 — a tremendous achievement. Throughout her career, she
earned numerous scientific awards and honors, including highly competitive grants from
the National Institutes of Health and Department of Defense.
Peter Secchia, an ardent supporter
of Van Andel Institute and a member
of its Board of Governors, passed away
Oct. 21, 2020, at the age of 83. He often
was described as “larger than life” and
leaves a substantial hole in the collective
spirit of West Michigan and in the hearts
of family and friends worldwide. Along
with his wife, Joan, Secchia was a longtime
supporter of VAI from the early
years. Secchia was the recipient of many
notable awards throughout his life, including the Carol Van Andel Angel of Excellence
Award, which he and Joan each received in 2017. The award celebrates individuals
who have demonstrated significant contributions to VAI through volunteer service and
philanthropy. Elsewhere on the Medical Mile, when Michigan State University was seeking
to expand its medical school, Secchia worked to ensure its new campus was located in
Grand Rapids. Today, MSU’s College of Human Medicine is housed in the Secchia Center
on the city’s Medical Mile.
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