Our Vision & Mission
Our mission goals are:
- Conducting rigorous research that improves patient outcomes
- Achieving operational efficiency through optimized research infrastructure and streamlined processes
- Fostering collaborations with researchers, industry, government, and patients
- Mentoring the next generation of clinical researchers and methodologists
The Ontario Clinical Oncology Group
The Ontario Clinical Oncology Group (OCOG) was founded in 1982 to address the critical importance of clinical research in advancing healthcare delivery and to facilitate the development, coordination, and promotion of cancer clinical trials across Ontario. In 1988, the Clinical Trials Methodology Group (CTMG) was established as a program within the Department of Clinical Epidemiology & Biostatistics conducting clinical trials in venous thrombosis, cardiovascular disease, and pediatrics.
OCOG and CTMG merged under the OCOG designation in 2007. This consolidation coincided with McMaster University's establishment of its new Department of Oncology, positioning the unified organization within this specialized academic department and strengthening its foundation for oncology research.
By 2025, OCOG had broadened its research mandate beyond its original oncology focus to encompass clinical trials in thrombosis as well as surgical interventions. In recognition of this expanded scope and to better reflect its multidisciplinary research activities, OCOG underwent a strategic restructuring to become the Trials Research and Clinical Evidence (TRACE). Under this new organizational framework, TRACE serves as the institutional home for OCOG, ensuring continuity of its foundational mission while accommodating its evolved research portfolio and enhanced capacity for conducting clinical trials in various disease areas.