In this edition of UHN On The Go:
Recognizing nursing excellence during National Nursing Week
National Nursing Week at UHN inspired feelings of connection and gratitude, as colleagues gathered in the De Gasperis Conservatory at Toronto General Hospital for the 2026 Launch Event.
Hosted by Pam Hubley, Vice-President Health Disciplines, Patient Experience and Chief Nurse Executive, the Nursing Week celebration set the tone for a week dedicated to recognizing the extraordinary contributions nurses make in shaping health care, driving innovation and providing patient-centred care.
Hubley and Dr. Kevin Smith, President and CEO, kicked off the event with opening remarks while expressing gratitude to the teams.
DAISY Awards — an international program that recognizes and celebrates the extraordinary clinical skill and compassionate care given by nurses every day — were also presented to nominated team members.
Guided by the theme "The Power of Nurses to Transform Health," National Nursing Week honors the many ways nurses lead change every day through clinical expertise, advocacy, compassion and partnership.
Toronto Western Hospital opens new Centre for Clinical Research
UHN's Toronto Western Hospital (TW) recently celebrated the opening of the new Centre for Clinical Research — an intentionally designed space that brings together supports for participants and researchers, making clinical research more accessible, co-ordinated and patient-centred.
"The launch of the new Centre for Clinical Research is not simply the opening of a physical space," says Marnie Escaf, Clinical Vice President. "It represents our commitment to the future of clinical research at Toronto Western Hospital, and our belief that research and clinical care should be integrated."
Operated by the Clinical Research Unit (CRU), the Centre expands the hospital's capacity to conduct complex research protocols, early-phase clinical trials and studies involving advanced treatment procedures.
For Dr. Carmela Tartaglia, clinician-investigator at
UHN's Krembil Brain Institute (KBI) and medical lead of the Centre, this milestone marks an important step forward for patients facing challenging diagnoses.
"Many of our patients live with chronic diseases for which treatment options are limited. For patients and families, access to high-quality clinical research gives them hope," says Dr. Tartaglia. "This centre enables us to offer innovative clinical studies to patients and families more quickly and within a safe and well-supported environment."
Located on the fifth floor of TW's West Wing, the Centre includes a welcoming reception area, private exam rooms and a newly renovated treatment and monitoring space. With full electronic medical record system integration and support from the TW CRU, research teams and participants benefit from co-ordinated operations, streamlined workflows and consistent standards of care.
Adolescent and Young Adult Program Hosts Inaugural Fundraiser
Organized in collaboration with
The Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation, the
Adolescent and Young Adult (AYA) Program hosted the first Lights Up for AYA fundraiser, an evening of comedy, music and live entertainment.
The event, held during AYA Awareness Week, brought together patients, staff, volunteers and community supporters to raise funds, build connection and highlight the diverse needs of adolescents and young adults, ages 18 to 39, impacted by a cancer diagnosis.
Performances included topics from body image and mental health, to school, work and life transitions. Guests participated in interactive fundraising initiatives, including raffle prizes and silent auctions and also had the opportunity to connect with AYA patients and care teams.
Powerful speeches from AYA patients and teams created moments of reflection, celebration and storytelling that highlighted resilience.
Raised funds will support enhancing and developing new AYA programming, patient and caregiver services.
UHN recognized as one of Canada's Greenest Employers
Powered by a shared commitment to sustainability, UHN has been named one of
Canada's Greenest Employers for the sixth consecutive year.
The annual program, run by Mediacorp Canada with results published in
The Globe and Mail, recognizes organizations across the country for environmental workplace and operational practices.
Sustainability is a foundational commitment within
UHN's Strategic Plan, influencing both daily operations and long-term planning. Environmental considerations are integrated across the organization — informing decisions related to infrastructure investments, purchasing practices and workplace design — rather than being treated as a separate initiative.
For TeamUHN members, this approach is evident in practical ways. Energy-efficient lighting and ventilation upgrades have improved comfort while curbing costs and emissions associated with climate change.
Greener procurement choices have reduced waste and promoted responsible use of resources. Enhanced gardens and outdoor spaces provide opportunities for restorative breaks that benefit well-being, while cycling amenities support lower‑emission commuting.
Staff-led initiatives also drive meaningful change. In operating rooms, teams collect cautery cords for scrap metal recycling and reinvest the proceeds into reusable surgical caps. Anesthesia teams have reduced climate pollution 56 per cent by switching to more climate-friendly anesthetic gases.
Oncology Nursing Day committee honours nurses at Princess Margaret Cancer Centre
Colleagues from across UHN gathered at
Princess Margaret Cancer Centre to celebrate
Oncology Nursing Day (OND), honouring the compassion, expertise and resilience of nurses who care for patients with cancer and their families.
Held in the Princess Margaret Atrium, the event featured 13 interactive booths highlighting the breadth of oncology nursing practice at UHN, including acute care, clinical trials, advanced practice nursing, palliative care and specialized populations. Staff had the opportunity to enjoy an on-site photo booth and Craig's Cookies giveaway.
During the OND Awards ceremony, oncology nurses were recognized for excellence in clinical practice, innovation, mentorship, research, leadership and teamwork.
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