Tell us about your role at UHN and how long you have been in this role.
I am a communications specialist at UHN Foundation and have been in this role for 22 years. My role is specifically in marketing and communications where I help raise funds for the various research institutes by writing donor proposals. I am also involved in impact reporting where we communicate to donors how their funding was used.
What are you passionate about in your role at UHN?
I love being part of an organization that is an international leader in health care and medical research. Being a part of such a large organization means you are constantly learning and exposed to a diverse number of research interests. It also means that you get to support work that really makes a difference.
How do you help to advance research? What work are you most proud of at UHN?
The funding we receive from donors goes on to help recruit researchers and it also provides important research funds for current scientists and investigators.
How does your work help to advance UHN's vision of A Healthier World?
For the past 22 years, I have been part of an effort to raise $3 billion in support of UHN. One project that I worked on was a funding proposal for Krembil Research Institute’s Schroeder Arthritis Institute. This initiative helped raise funds for a next generation sequencing machine to study new ways of diagnosing arthritis at earlier stages. The machine is now used by researchers across the institute.
What makes UHN an ideal place to advance health research?
We are home to some of the best specialists in the world who love to collaborate and share their knowledge.
Do you have any interests outside of work?
I am a voracious reader and have just finished “Covenant of Water” by Abraham Verghese, a doctor in Southern India who writes about life in India from a clinical perspective. My husband and I also like to travel to escape the cold weather!
What do you see for the future of health research, and what gets you excited about it?
I see health research advancing exponentially in the next five years. I get very excited knowing that patients at UHN will be among the first to benefit from these breakthroughs. I am so proud to be able to support and advance the important medical research that takes place at UHN.
How to Participate in You @TeamUHN
You @TeamUHN is a campaign to highlight the important scientific contributions that research lab staff, trainees and learners, administrative staff, core facilities staff, Research Solutions & Services staff, and volunteers make towards A Healthier World through discovery and innovation. If you’re interested in sharing your story, we invite you to complete this form here (UHN Office365 account is required; open to UHN staff, trainees and volunteers).