Dr. Janet Wong
​​Janet Wong, Business Administrator at UHN’s Donald K. Johnson Eye Institute, is retiring on Feb. 3, 2025, after 36 years at UHN (Photo: UHN)

When Janet Wong first walked through the doors of UHN, she had no idea it would become the place where she would spend over three decades supporting groundbreaking research and innovation.

"It's the people that made me stay," says Janet. "It's hard to say goodbyes."

After 36 dedicated years, more than two decades of it as Business Administrator at UHN's Donald K. Johnson Eye Institute, she is ready to take a well-deserved break, retiring on Feb. 3, 2025.

Born and raised in Hong Kong, Janet graduated from Hong Kong Baptist University with a degree in business.

Her career at UHN began just two months after immigrating to Canada.

In October 1988, she joined the Ontario Cancer Institute — now UHN's Princess Margaret Cancer Centre — as a research secretary.

During her time at Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, Janet worked closely with researchers such as Drs. William Bruce, Michael Archer, Jean Gariepy, Ernest McCulloch and Samuel Benchimol, supporting various administrative tasks, assisting with grant proposals, as well as overseeing budgets.

"Looking back, it's all warm memories – busy, but I enjoyed every moment," says Janet.

Janet later transitioned into her current role in 2002, handling administrative and finance-related tasks for the Institute.

"If I had to use one word to describe Janet, it would be gracious," says Dr. Valerie Wallace, Senior Scientist and Co-Director of UHN's Donald K. Johnson Eye Institute.

"She's an elegant lady who has a very positive outlook on life and just stays calm in every situation."

Janet Wong, (L), with Dr. Valerie Wallace, Senior Scientist and Co-Director of UHN's Donald K. Johnson Eye Institute. (Photo: UHN)

For the past 22 years, Janet has overseen the Vision Science Research Program (VSRP), a unique partnership between the Government of Ontario, the University of Toronto and UHN.

The program supports the vision research program at UHN, offering funding support to masters and PhD students who are studying novel questions in vision science.

"There are very few groups across the city with the resources and access to programs like this, especially for vision research," says Dr. Wallace.

"We are very fortunate to have Janet, who is helping to keep the program running and well-advertised."

Since 2000, the program has invested over $11 million and funded more than 240 students, exploring questions in fields from molecular genetics and cell development to social work and rehabilitation.

For Janet, it is incredibly rewarding to see past trainees who were once supported by the program, now returning as principal investigators and starting their own research labs.

Beyond her work with the VSRP, Janet has been a fixture of the vision research effort at UHN's Toronto Western Hospital and later at the Donald K. Johnson Eye Institute.

Over the years, Janet supported dozens of vision researchers and clinicians at the institute, assisting with clinical trials, managing administrative and finance-related duties, and guiding research trainees.

Janet Wong, (R), demonstrating an eye movement tracker along with Dr. Martin J. Steinbach and Dr. Ester Gonzalez as part of a newspaper story on vision research at Toronto Western Hospital. (Photo: Toronto Star via Getty Images)

"Janet is unflappable," says Dr. Wallace. "She'll make things work, even in stressful situations."

Two years ago, Janet was diagnosed with uterine cancer.

Fortunately, it was caught early. Although progressive, the cancer cells have not spread to other organs. She was referred to Princess Margaret Cancer Centre and saw an oncologist in less than two weeks.

"Walking through the doors of Princess Margaret, I wasn't nervous at all, because I knew I'd be in good hands," says Janet.

Janet is very open about her cancer diagnosis and is grateful for all the doctors she met during her treatment journey.

She is happy to share that she is now doing well.

This experience prompted her to reflect on her priorities and the importance of cherishing life.

Upon retiring, Janet plans to spend more time with friends and pick up some old hobbies, including painting and playing the piano.

"It's sad to see her go, but it's now time for a very much deserved retirement," says Dr. Wallace.

"She's going to be really missed."

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