UHN's inaugural Mission Legacy Award recognizes three honourees who have left an indelible mark on the organization and established the conditions for its long-term success.
Melanie and the late Peter Munk and the Peter and Melanie Munk Charitable Foundation; Robert and Linda Krembil and Family, and the Krembil Foundation; and Dr. Alan Hudson are the first honourees.
"We would not be Canada's No. 1 Hospital without the outstanding contributions of these three pillars of the UHN community," Dean Connor, Chair of the UHN Board of Trustees, said at the event in the DeGasperis Conservatory at Toronto General Hospital on Tuesday, May 6, 2025.
"Our honourees have given their time, talent and support to shaping UHN into who we are today. And, in addition to being foundational to UHN's legacy, they have ensured we are positioned to continue our success well into the future."
A continuation of the inaugural UHN Mission Excellence Awards celebrated in March, the new UHN Mission Legacy Award is, alongside the Global Impact Award, UHN's most prestigious accolade.
Dr. Kevin Smith, President CEO of UHN, introduced each of the honourees.
"It strikes me that there perhaps has never been a more important time in our history to celebrate the excellence and innovation in Canadian health care, research and education, and the people who've been instrumental to shaping that legacy," Dr. Smith told the audience. "Today, we proudly celebrate our position as Canada's No. 1 hospital and among the top three in the world.
"But we didn't get here overnight. Tonight's honourees are all formidable founders and builders and people who helped establish UHN as Canada's leading academic research hospital and the destination for some of the top clinical and research talent in the world."
"Melanie and the late Peter Munk and the Peter and Melanie Munk Charitable Foundation have profoundly affected cardiac and vascular care in Canada and around the world," Dr. Smith said. "They have illustrated how individuals, foundations, the private sector and government can work together to support excellence in health care and research."
In 1993, a new era for cardiac care in Canada began with their first gift to UHN to establish the Peter Munk Cardiac Centre at Toronto General Hospital. In 2017, Peter Munk made history by announcing the largest single donation ever made to a Canadian hospital — a remarkable $100 million.
"Peter Munk did not just believe in Canada, he was indebted to it," Dr. Smith said.
Together, Peter and Melanie Munk's total contributions to the UHN Foundation have surpassed $187 million.
"Three decades after their historic donation, the Peter Munk Cardiac Centre continues to transform the future of cardiac and vascular care for patients across Canada and around the world, integrating excellence in clinical care, research, innovation and teaching," Dr. Smith said.
"The Krembils are so much more than longtime donors to UHN, they are true partners who understand that research creates progress for patients," Dr. Smith said.
Since establishing the Krembil Family Chair in Neurology in 1998, their unprecedented support has developed a long and fruitful relationship with Toronto Western Hospital, where the Krembil Neuroscience Centre, the Krembil Discovery Tower and the Krembil Research Institute all proudly bear the Krembil name.
Along with being leading investors in neuroscience research in Canada, through the Krembil Foundation, the family has broadened their support to fund research projects in rheumatology, osteoarthritis, stem cell biology and nursing.
"They are unparalleled supporters of research at UHN — over 27 years of philanthropy — demonstrating one of the most consistent and generous commitments in our history," Dr. Smith said.
Robert and Linda Krembil and Family and the Krembil Foundation "have dedicated the power of philanthropy to supporting world-class medical research and their remarkable giving history to UHN has driven transformative change through supporting innovative research, empowering researchers and funding projects that strive for lasting impact," Dr. Smith said.
"Dr. Alan Hudson is a man whose vision, energy and drive was not only instrumental in the creation of University Health Network, but also in so much of what remains at our core more than a quarter century later — true excellence in patient care, scientific discovery and academic performance," Dr. Smith said.
During his tenure as President and CEO of The Toronto Hospital, Dr. Hudson, a renowned neurosurgeon and immigrant from South Africa, orchestrated profound change, leading to the establishment of UHN.
UHN's reputation as Canada's No. 1 Hospital began with a vision statement Dr. Hudson instituted. It codified what the organization should be — an internationally recognized academic health science centre.
"From introducing the concept of measuring the quality of care and providing accountability to patients to pushing for the establishment of research institutes and expanding the appointments of research chairs, Dr. Hudson's innovative solutions created UHN and shaped its future," Dr. Smith said.
"Twenty-four years after his retirement, Dr. Hudson's legacy as a visionary leader and 'change agent' lives on."
