Photo essay by acclaimed Canadian portrait photographer Christopher Wahl showcases the extraordinary donors who are helping UHN reimagine health care. (Video: UHN Foundation)
UHN Foundation debuts
Portraits of Giving, a photo essay featuring donors
UHN Foundation has debuted
Portraits of Giving, a photo essay by acclaimed Canadian portrait photographer Christopher Wahl, which celebrates the generosity of people from Toronto and the GTA who are transforming health care at UHN.
The series, which serves as a thank you to all supporters who help make UHN Canada's No. 1 Hospital, features portraits of nine remarkable donors from all ages and stages, each accompanied by a personal story that sheds light on their individual motivations for giving.
From grateful patients and family members to UHN staff, monthly donors and people organizing their own fundraisers,
Portraits of Giving underscores the idea that every gift — no matter its size — has the power to make a meaningful difference.
"UHN has given me an opportunity to live again," says Arzein Mirza, one of the donors featured in
Portraits of Giving, who has been a cardiovascular patient at UHN's Peter Munk Cardiac Centre since 2014, and who received a heart transplant at UHN's Ajmera Transplant Centre last year.
"I want people to know that this top-of-the-line health care exists at UHN. To have this calibre of health care, we all have to take part. I hope that others will join me in donating so other people can benefit from what's available here."
Christopher Wahl, known for his intimate and thought-provoking portraits, brings his distinctive vision to this project, creating a compelling visual narrative that underscores the deep connection between donors and the communities they support.
"These portraits are about people, their stories, and their commitment to making a difference," he says. "It's an honour to spotlight these individuals who give selflessly to improve the lives of others."
The nine donors featured in this series represent the power of uniting as a community, and the incredible impact donations can have to help UHN reimagine health care. From funding life-saving equipment to advancing critical medical research and innovation, donor support helps UHN remain at the forefront of world-changing health care.
Michener Institute hosts first in-person Open House since 2019
The future of health care converged at The Michener Institute of Education at UHN for the first in-person Michener Open House since 2019.
More than 300 prospective students and their family members toured the St. Patrick Street campus and facilities on Nov. 23 to learn more about what the health care institute has to offer.
It was a welcome return to in-person interactions for Teresa Diel, Student Recruitment Coordinator at Michener Institute, and one of the organizers of the event.
"We were thrilled with the turnout, and how everyone engaged with the sessions and programming provided," Teresa says. "The success of this event surpassed our expectations.
"We're excited for the next one!"
Attendees were provided with campus tours, information sessions, a fireside chat with alumni and sessions within the simulated labs on campus. Michener Institute offers 12 programs in applied sciences, as well as three joint programs with the University of Toronto in medical radiation sciences.
After hosting virtual program weeks since the onset of the pandemic, the in-person interactions with prospective students and their families left a big and positive impact, says to Grace Acosta, Associate Registrar, Enrolment Management & Systems.
"We adapted so successfully to the virtual environment that it was easy to forget how much better it is to receive that firsthand feedback," says Grace. "There's something special about watching prospective students and their families discover our campus and meet our Michener faculty, students and alumni."
Open House 2024 accompanied a series of weekly information webinars, where current students and alumni discussed their experiences at Michener and their path to their chosen profession.
For more details on applications for the 2025 academic year,
please visit michener.ca.
Pushing boundaries: what makes Test Your Limits 2024 extraordinary
Since the first expedition to Antarctica in 2006, the
Test Your Limits team has climbed, paddled and biked in different parts of the world.
But this year, for the first time, the Test Your Limits expedition across New Zealand's South Island combines all three into one epic multisport adventure.
From snowy summits to roaring rapids and rugged trails, the team faced each challenge with enthusiasm and resilience, all in support of heart health innovation at UHN's
Peter Munk Cardiac Centre.
A journey unlike any other
This year's expedition took the team far off the beaten path, testing their endurance, teamwork and spirit.
Some days began before dawn, like the 3 a.m. start for their climb of Mt. MacKenzie. Armed with "coffee, granola and grit," team members ascended through snow-covered terrain, roped to guides for safety and pushed past exhaustion to reach the summit.
Each day in New Zealand brought a new challenge — pushing through rough water while navigating rapids and trying to stay in the raft or cycling through dry riverbeds and loose rocks while conquering tough ascents and descents.
The crowning moment of the expedition was the journey to Kaitiaki Peak, tackling glacier traverses and alpine rock climbs. But, as with every other leg of the trip, the team overcame every obstacle to reach the summit and complete the Summit to Sea adventure.
