Arts-based education open house showcases the power of art as learning
For Dr. Lisa Boivin, a member of the Deninu Kųę́ First Nation in Denendeh, N.W.T. and an Indigenous educator, making art is more than an act of creative expression. It is a chance to share knowledge in the way her ancestors have for centuries and help people understand the importance of cultural safety and Indigenous Peoples' experiences in healthcare and research.
Members of the UHN community gathered in the De Gasperis Conservatory at Toronto General Hospital in late May for an arts-based education open house to learn more about how Dr. Boivin educates through art. The afternoon offered a taste of the workshops she hosts for UHN and Indigenous Peoples in the city.
Participants were encouraged to create their own artwork, leave their mark in the guestbook and add to a large group collage. The space was filled with laughter, thoughtful conversations and moments of connection as people explored their creativity together.
Dr. Boivin shared the meanings behind the animals in the collage, explaining the important lessons they carry in Indigenous knowledge.
Several of Dr. Boivin's artworks were also on display at the event, including a print entitled
Unravelling the Whispers of Ancestors, which was raffled to one lucky attendee. Other winners took home copies of her books:
I Will See You Again and
I Dream Medicine Dreams.
Events such as this open house bring the UHN community one step closer to decolonizing research and healthcare spaces. Centring the voices, teachings and experiences of Indigenous communities is the first step toward ensuring research at UHN reflects their needs.
With the help of incredible members of the community such as Dr. Boivin, UHN is committed to the continued learning and work necessary to make UHN spaces safe for and welcoming to Indigenous Peoples.
Symposium marks opening of new centre at UHN
More than 250 in-person attendees — and another 120 virtual participants — gathered at Toronto's MaRS Discovery District to celebrate the launch of UHN's newest research collaborative centre: the Collaborative Centre for Immunology to Immunotherapy (Ci2i).
The inaugural Ci2i Symposium in mid-June brought together leading experts in immunology, cell therapy, virology and immunotherapy for a day of networking, scientific dialogue and learning.
The event opened with Drs.
Tracy McGaha, Chair of the Ci2i Symposium Planning Committee,
Brad Wouters, Executive Vice President of Science and Research at UHN, and
Pam Ohashi, Chair of Ci2i.
Dr. McGaha took the stage first to welcome attendees and set the tone for an exciting day ahead, followed by Drs. Wouters and Ohashi who spoke about the significance of the centre's launch and shared their vision for the future of immune-related research at UHN.
Throughout the day, researchers from the University of Toronto and UHN presented their work, highlighting the breadth and depth of ongoing research in immunology, virology, immunotherapy and related fields. Attendees were encouraged to ask questions and engage in thoughtful discussions with the presenters.
Two international keynote speakers — Dr. Huji Xu, from Shanghai Changzheng Hospital, and Dr.
Donna Farber from Columbia University — bookended the day's presentations. These internationally recognized researchers provided a global perspective on immune science, showcased their field-defining work, and applauded the Ci2i for its focus on innovation and collaboration.
The symposium also featured a powerful talk by
Charlotte Grad, a Ci2i patient partner and former patient of Princess Margaret Cancer Centre. As a CAR-T cell therapy recipient, she shared her journey, reminding the audience of the real-world impact of immune-based research.
"I am here today because of
you," Charlotte told a captivated audience.
Her story underscored the life-changing impact that immunology and immunotherapy research at UHN has — and will continue to have with the establishment of the Ci2i.
Hand hygiene awareness campaigns launch across UHN
To mark Hand Hygiene Awareness Week, UHN's Infection Prevention and Control (IPAC) team led a series of inclusive, high-impact experience events for TeamUHN.
To reach inpatient units without disrupting care, the team introduced travelling booths — an idea conceived and carried out by IPAC staff who recognized the importance of meeting teams where they are. These mobile stations helped maximize participation across UHN's diverse campuses.
The week, aligned with the World Health Organization's Hand Hygiene Day in early May, sparked exceptional engagement, positive feedback, and a renewed system-wide commitment to infection prevention. Above all, it highlighted the power of teamwork in creating a safer UHN for everyone.
This year's WHO theme was "It might be gloves, but it's always hand hygiene!" a message reinforcing that gloves never replace proper hand hygiene and must be used, based on clinical judgment, along with proper hand hygiene.
Support for this campaign came from all corners of UHN.
A dedicated team from within IPAC spearheaded the development of educational content, interactive booths, and site-wide programming. Communications and Brand Strategy helped craft messaging and promotional materials. Frontline teams, including nurses, physicians, and Environmental Services colleagues, stepped forward to model hand hygiene practices in social media posts. The Energy and Environment team collaborated with IPAC to develop a MyLearning module to raise awareness about proper glove usage, highlighting the risks of overuse, such as missed hand hygiene opportunities and environmental impact.
