What is Partners for the Future?
A planned gift creates a personal legacy that will benefit future generations.
It also provides a sense of satisfaction, the knowledge that you are making a lasting difference in patient care, teaching and research for generations to come at Toronto General Hospital and Toronto Western Hospital.
Partners for the Future is a special group of donors who have made planned or future gifts to Toronto General and Toronto Western Hospitals. The Society is chaired by Mr. Fredrik S. Eaton, O.C., O.Ont., who has served as a University Health Network (UHN) trustee and whose family, starting with his grandfather, Sir John Eaton, has had a long-standing history with Toronto General Hospital over the years.
The launch featured a special presentation by Mr. Eaton and Dr. Robert Bell, President & CEO, UHN, who awarded commemorative gifts to the inaugural members of Partners for the Future. Mr. Eaton also joined Mr. David Smith, Chair of the Board of Directors of Toronto General & Western Hospital Foundation and Mr. Keith Patterson, Co-Chair of the Planned Giving Committee, to unveil a special donor wall to pay tribute to the 23 Society members.
During the ceremony, Mr. Eaton and Dr. Bell also honoured the family of the late Thomas J. Bell, former Chair of the Board of Trustees of Toronto General Hospital. In 1983, the Private Patients Pavilion at Toronto General Hospital was re-named the Thomas J. Bell Wing. The Building was taken down in 2001 to make way for the Clinical Services Building, but Mr. Bell’s legacy was preserved in the DeGasperis Conservatory with the presence of the original portico from the Bell Wing.
The portico, which has been chosen as the symbol for the Society, represents the rich history of medical, surgical, and research firsts the Hospitals have achieved over the years. It also highlights the strong, and sustainable foundation that has been built from our founders to the visionaries who will carry on the tradition – enabling the Hospitals to continue pushing the boundaries of excellence: quality health care, medical discovery and innovation, and optimal patient care – today, and well into the future. We were also honoured that 13 members of the Bell family, three of Mr. Bell’s children and ten of his grandchildren, were able to participate in this special tribute.
The event also featured a presentation from Dr. Heather Ross, Medical Director of the Cardiac Transplant Program at the Peter Munk Cardiac Centre, Rueben & Florence Fenwick Family Professor in the Medical Management of Heart Failure and Deputy Director of the Multi Organ Transplant (MOT) Program at UHN.
Dr. Ross reflected on her journey to Antarctica in December 2006 to climb Mount Vinson Massif to raise awareness of Heart Failure. Dr. Ross and a team of determined climbers, including one of her transplant patients, Mr. Dale Shippam, took on the mission, climbed the mountain, and raised over $1 million for Heart Failure research.
The launch of the Partners for the Future Society was a great success and signified the celebration of those who are committed to guaranteeing a high quality health care system in the future.
For more information, please call (416) 340-3935 or e-mail plannedgiving@uhn.on.ca
