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2022 in review

This year, our donor community provided unparalleled support to our health care heroes who worked tirelessly every day to provide the best patient care, educate the community and drive groundbreaking medical research. As the world continues to navigate through changes and uncertainty, we’ve curated some of our most inspiring and engaging stories from 2022.


Drs. Dinesh Thavendiranathan and Kate Hanneman
Dr. Dinesh Thavendiranathan, Peter Munk Cardiac Centre, and Dr. Kate Hanneman, Joint Department of Medical Imaging, use PET/MRI to assess heart inflammation in recovered COVID-19 patients. (Photo: UHN)

In a world-first, researchers at UHN used PET/MRI scans to measure heart injury in recovered COVID-19 patients, revealing that a small percentage had inflammation in their heart after infection.

Dr. Minna Woo says it has been a privilege to witness so many advances in diabetes care, but highlights that there are still challenges in equitable access to insulin and other therapies. (Photo: UHN)

On January 23, 1922 at Toronto General Hospital, 14-year-old Leonard Thompson became the first person in the world to receive insulin.

A century later, UHN’s Dr. Minna Woo discusses insulin’s impact and the challenges that remain with diabetes.

MRI scan of the human brain
(Photo: Getty Images/iStockphoto)

A first-in-Canada clinical trial aims to treat advanced Parkinson’s disease with exciting new stem cell therapy at UHN in partnership with BlueRock Therapeutics.

Andrew Christie's wedding
Andrew went through surgery to donate a part of his liver a few months after his wedding to Carey. (Photo: Courtesy, Andrew Christie)

The hundredth living donor at UHN’s Ajmera Transplant Centre, Andrew Christie, shares one of his most meaningful experiences of giving a part of his liver to a complete stranger.

Dr. Koorosh Shirkool
Dr. Koorosh Shirkool, a Krembil Brain Institute neurologist, has spearheaded the initiative to open a clinic geared to neurology patients who identify as 2SLGBTQIA+. (Photo: Koorosh Shirkool)

A first-of-its-kind in Canada, UHN’s Krembil Brain Institute has opened a neurology clinic for patients who identify as 2SLGBTQIA+. The new clinic offers a full range of neurological treatments that affect the brain, spinal cord and nerves.

Travelling more than 6,000 km in just five days, UHN Foundation’s Rally for Rehab helped raise more than $200,000 in support of UHN’s Toronto Rehab and KITE Research Institute.

Dr. Wahiba Dhahri and Dr. Michael Laflamme
Dr. Wahiba Dhahri, (L), former postdoctoral fellow and first author of the study, and Dr. Michael Laflamme, senior author of the study and Senior Scientist at UHN’s McEwen Stem Cell Institute. (Photo: UHN StRIDe Team)

A recent study from UHN’s McEwen Stem Cell Institute reveals a new approach using heart muscle cells derived from stem cells for treating injured hearts.

Nikki (left) and her Tough Mudder team. (Photo courtesy: Nikki Bergen)

Just 16 weeks after giving birth, Nikki Bergen, one of Canada’s most sought-after health and fitness experts, had a life-changing heart procedure at UHN’s Peter Munk Cardiac Centre and no longer lives in fear.

Golfers with their caddy at Golf for Heart. (Photo: Jeff Bloom)
Golfers with their caddy at Golf for Heart. (Photo: Jeff Bloom)

This summer, UHN Foundation hosted our spring signature golf tournaments in support of the Peter Munk Cardiac Centre, the Ajmera Transplant Centre and the Centre for Living Organ Donation at UHN.

Dr. Milos Popovic, KITE’s Research Director and the co-founder of MyndTec. (Photo: KITE Research Institute)

Bringing life-saving technology to patients often involves entrepreneurial innovation.

At Toronto Rehab’s KITE Research Institute, MyndMove is helping stroke and spinal cord patients regain upper body function after injury.

The new Michael Lawrence Turk Rapid Assessment Centre at Toronto General Hospital will address the challenges facing our Emergency Department and improve the patient experience, now and into the future.

Toronto General Hospital (Photo: Cavouk)
Toronto General Hospital (Photo: Cavouk)

For the fourth straight year, UHN’s Toronto General Hospital has been named one of the best hospitals in the world by Newsweek magazine.

Lou Biasin (L), a physiotherapist in Toronto Rehab’s Stroke Inpatient Service, and PT student Christian Martin, (R), use perturbation-based training to help patient Fatah Abdul regain reactive balance control following his stroke. (Photo: UHN)

Meet physiotherapists from across UHN as they open up to what makes their role unique, their secrets to success and how they know they’ve made a difference.

Chris Malcolm is a dedicated security guard at Toronto General Hospital. When he’s not working the night shift, he’s rehearsing or performing with his choir Kevin Adams & Voices of Praise. The group was nominated for its first Juno Award this year. (Photo: UHN)

When Chris Malcolm isn’t patrolling the halls of UHN’s Toronto General Hospital, he can be found rehearsing in studios or performing at venues as a Juno-nominated artist.

After tragically losing her sight in 2014, Amber Needham regained her vision thanks to a stem cell transplant at UHN. To help others experiencing vision loss, Amber rode her bike across Ontario to raise funds in support of ophthalmology research at UHN.

AI analyzing a retina image for diabetic retinopathy. (Photo: RMIT University)

A study from UHN’s Donald K. Johnson Eye Institute is using artificial intelligence to screen for undiagnosed diabetic retinopathy in indigenous communities – with a goal of providing access to eye care in remote or underserved areas.

UHN Impact Collective Serving Knowledge Supper Club joined Chatelaine for their inaugural wellness retreat featuring a discussion with Dr. Sarah Levitt, a psychiatrist at UHN’s Centre for Mental Health.

Tweet from UHN's Dr. Gelareh Zadeh with an all women surgery team.
Dr. Gelareh Zadeh and an all women neurosurgery team at UHN. (Photo: Courtesy of Dr. Gelareh Zadeh on Twitter)

In November 2022, Dr. Gelareh Zadeh, Head of the Division of Neurosurgery in the Sprott Department of Surgery at UHN shares a photo of an all women neurosurgery team.

Diwali -- A Night to Shine with UHN Foundation.

In October, UHN Foundation hosted the 10th annual Diwali – A Night to Shine in support of UHN’s Krembil Brain Institute and Toronto Rehab.

The Rogers Foundation announces a second landmark gift, building on its $130-million gift in 2014, to sustain the Ted Rogers Centre for Heart Research in perpetuity and bring the promise of precision cardiac health to patients across Canada and globally.

The Rogers Foundation announced a second transformational gift to sustain the Ted Rogers Centre for Heart Research in perpetuity. Explore how it brings the promise of precision cardiac health to patients across Canada and globally.

In October, the John and Myrna Daniels Foundation announced the largest single donation to emergency medicine in Canada. This transformational gift will elevate the standard of urgent care for older adults across the country.


Thanks to donors like you, 2022 was an incredible year. We hope to accomplish even more in 2023.

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