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More than 300 students, benefactors, volunteers, faculty, staff and members of the medical community gathered at the Terrence Donnelly Centre for Cellular and Biomolecular Research on Thursday evening to celebrate the launch of the $500-million campaign for U of T’s Faculty of Medicine, a cornerstone of the University’s overall $2-billion campaign. Through its campaign, the Faculty of Medicine aims to transform health care by training future health care leaders and putting scientific discovery into action.

Dean Catharine Whiteside announced that the campaign – the largest-ever fundraising initiative for a medical school in Canadian history – has already secured $252 million, more than half of its campaign goal.

In her address, Dean Whiteside spoke about the central role that charitable giving and philanthropic efforts play in advancing the Faculty’s research and education objectives and acknowledged the generous support of individuals like Michael Dan (Chair of the Campaign Cabinet), Terrence Donnelly, Carlo Fidani, Paul Dalla Lana, Mark and Stuart Tanz, and the Eaton family, who have made transformative gifts to the Faculty of Medicine. 

“The complexity of the health challenges we face today requires solutions that can only emerge through innovation that is collaborative and cross-disciplinary,” said Whiteside. “The Faculty of Medicine’s integrating role uniquely positions us to spark the discoveries and drive the changes that will transform health globally in the 21st century, with the help of our supporters.”

The Faculty of Medicine’s academic network is vast. In partnership with nine fully affiliated health institutions and 18 community affiliates, the Faculty’s 6,800 academic and clinical faculty members educate more than 8,600 trainees annually, including MD students, graduate and doctoral students, health sciences professionals, residents and fellows. To ensure these trainees have continued access to world-class opportunities, the Faculty will seek to raise $100 million for student programming and financial aid.

“Students in the Faculty of Medicine will become the next generation of health professionals and leaders. They inspire me to be confident in the future of health care in Canada and around the world,” said Dr. Terrence Donnelly, a generous supporter of the faculty and chair of recruitment for the campaign.

Recent MD graduates Jeffrey Alfonsi and Joshua Levitz spoke of the significant role donor’s play in students’ lives.

“Your generosity and work on behalf of the Faculty does not go unnoticed by students,” Alfonsi stated, “I can personally attest how important donor support is to the success of U of T Medicine students.”

Research in the Faculty of Medicine boasts a critical mass of expertise in four areas, reflected in the campaign’s strategic priorities; human development, global health, neuroscience and brain health, and complex diseases. To provide the Faculty’s scientists with leading-edge research technology, the campaign will seek to raise $200 million for research programs and infrastructure.

Recruiting and retaining world-leading faculty is also a top priority for the campaign, which aims to raise $200 million to support faculty.

“Our campaign will enable us to continue to attract and retain the best academic talent in the world,” said Whiteside.

The campaign for U of T Medicine is an integral part of U of T’s $2-billion Boundless campaign, which has secured more than $1.1 billion to date. Through the Boundless campaign, U of T seeks to address the pressing global challenges that affect us all by preparing global leaders who have the skills to work across borders, boundaries and disciplines. (See the video .)

President David Naylor concluded the evening by calling on “our friends and supporters to rally behind two great causes – preparing the next generation of health professionals and researchers, and advancing the legacy of cutting-edge research by our faculty members and students. Together we can help make possible a longer, better life for individuals and communities, in Canada and around the world.”

See a photo gallery from the event .