It has been a transformative year for UHN, marked by achievements that are shaping the future of health care in Canada and beyond.
From pioneering surgical milestones to advancing research and strengthening patient partnerships, these accomplishments reflect UHN's unwavering commitment to innovation and excellence.
Toronto General Hospital once again earned global recognition this year, named the
world's top publicly funded hospital by Newsweek and ranked third overall — just behind Mayo Clinic and Cleveland Clinic.
Princess Margaret Cancer Centre was celebrated as Canada's leading oncology hospital, while Toronto Western Hospital secured a spot among the nation's top 10. For the 15th consecutive year, UHN was also ranked Canada's top research hospital.
Perhaps the most noticeable milestone was the unveiling of a dynamic new visual identity in June — the first in 25 years. Featuring a distinctive red maple leaf and the tagline Canada's Hospital, the new brand symbolizes UHN's evolution as a global leader not only in patient care, but also in groundbreaking research and the training of future health leaders.
Canada's first heart transplant from a circulatory death donor
In October,
UHN surgeons completed Canada's first heart transplant from a death by circulatory criteria donor (DCC). This pioneering method could increase the national donor pool by up to 30 per cent, offering new hope for patients with advanced heart failure and marking a major milestone in cardiac care.
New Toronto Western Hospital patient tower reaches construction milestone
Construction of Toronto Western Hospital's new surgical tower reached a major milestone in the fall with the structure now rising above ground. The 15-storey facility will feature 20 operating rooms and 82 private patient rooms, and is on track to open in 2028.
10 years of UHN's Patient Partner Program
UHN
celebrated a decade of its Patient Partner Program in October, which integrates highly valued patient and caregiver voices into committees, quality councils and improvement projects. The initiative has helped shape care delivery and improve safety across the organization. Over the past year alone, more than 130 patient partners have contributed across more than 350 UHN initiatives — including clinical care, digital processes, hiring, policy, quality and safety — demonstrating widespread impact on organizational decision making.
Stem cell therapy enables insulin independence in Type 1 diabetes trial
UHN was the first Canadian hospital to deliver an investigational
therapy using stem cell-derived insulin-producing cells for patients with Type 1 diabetes. The study, published in June, showed that after one year, most participants were insulin-free — signalling the potential of a transformative advance in diabetes treatment.
Canada Leads 100 Challenge launches to attract top scientists
In April, UHN launched the
Canada Leads 100 Challenge, an ambitious initiative to recruit 100 world-class, early-career scientists to Canada. Designed to accelerate breakthroughs in patient care and strengthen the innovation economy, the program has already secured one-third of its inaugural cohort from leading institutions worldwide.
First Neuralink brain implant surgeries outside the U.S.
Surgeons at UHN performed the
first implant of a Neuralink device outside of the U.S. — an international first — this past summer. The technology is designed to assist individuals with quadriplegia, a form of paralysis that affects all four limbs and the torso, to control digital devices using their thoughts alone. This milestone highlights UHN's leadership in neurosurgical innovation and the potential to redefine care for neurological injuries.
Michener Institute of Education graduates first CHASM cohort
In November, the
Michener Institute of Education at UHN celebrated the graduation of its first cohort from the new Community Health and Social Medicine (CHASM) certificate program. This fully-funded, year-long initiative equips community health workers with essential skills in crisis intervention, Indigenous health, mental health and system navigation — all designed to support underserved communities across Ontario. Co-designed with over 100 practitioners and stakeholders, the program bridges lived experience with professional credentials, empowering graduates to strengthen advocacy and improve health outcomes.
Peter Munk Cardiac Centre expands partnership to northwestern Ontario
UHN's Peter Munk Cardiac Centre has expanded its collaboration with Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre to strengthen cardiovascular care across northwestern Ontario, reinforcing UHN's commitment to equitable access to specialized services.
UHN and CAMH align specialties to advance integrated care and research
This year, UHN and the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) strengthened their partnership to better integrate brain, mental and physical health care. Patients in UHN's Emergency Department can now access CAMH's withdrawal management services, and CAMH's trauma-informed, de-escalation training is actively improving patient safety at UHN.
The collaboration is also driving research on dementia prevention, advanced brain imaging, and innovative treatments for depression, chronic pain and addiction. Together, these efforts are accelerating breakthroughs that could transform care for complex neurological and mental health conditions.
