Dean Lisa Robinson on how philanthropy is supporting the future of medicine at U of T
Sep 15, 2026
Few people have seen the University of Toronto’s Temerty Faculty of Medicine from as many vantage points as Lisa Robinson (MD 1991). As a student, clinician-scientist, professor and now dean and vice-provost, she has watched the faculty evolve over more than three decades. Today, she sees the Defy Gravity campaign helping accelerate that transformation – from expanding opportunities for students to advancing research, innovation and infrastructure.
In a recent interview, she discussed the impact of the historic Temerty gift, the importance of mentorship and how the faculty has changed since her time as a student.
In September 2020, a $250-million gift from James and Louise Temerty and the Temerty Foundation – still the largest to any Canadian university – launched a new era for medicine at U of T. Looking back nearly six years later, how has that gift transformed the faculty?
First of all, I have so much gratitude for that gift, which has indeed been absolutely transformational for the faculty and has allowed us to do things that we could only dream about.
It’s helped us recruit incredibly talented students, postdocs, staff members and faculty and empower them with the resources and support they need. On the research front, we’ve been able to fund and scale more promising work and support research that’s timely and impactful, such as the COVID-19 Rehabilitation Network – the first of its kind in the world.
In the realm of AI, for example, the gift allowed the talented researchers in the U of T and Toronto ecosystem to expand the scope and scale of their work. The gift kickstarted T-CAIREM, the Temerty Centre for AI Research and Education in Medicine, and enabled us to recruit the phenomenal Professor Muhammad Mamdani to lead it.
I have so much gratitude for that gift, which has indeed been absolutely transformational for the faculty and has allowed us to do things that we could only dream about.
The centre has become a world leader and is deeply engaged in educating our future practitioners, including running AI in medicine courses for high school students while building a community of practice across the TAHSN network to maximize the talent and resources we have.
I have so much gratitude for that gift, which has indeed been absolutely transformational for the faculty and has allowed us to do things that we could only dream about.
The gift also enabled the foundational work of Amol Verma, who was appointed to a named professorship as part of the gift. Alongside Professor Fahad Razak, Professor Verma went on to launch the VITAL health data platform, which attracted $100 million in federal investment this year to expand its near real-time analytics to improve patient care at hospitals nationwide.
We’ve also increased support for innovation and commercialization through H2i, the Health Innovation hub supporting early-stage entrepreneurs, including a growing number from underserved communities. We’ve even been able to make curricular changes, for example, with a new program on medical innovation and technology, run by one of our learners.
How has the gift expanded opportunities for students?
It’s allowed us to welcome talent and brilliance from throughout our community and make sure we are removing any barriers we can, financial or otherwise. When I see the number of students it’s supported, it makes me emotional, because it’s hundreds, and the support is life-changing.
For example, a program called the Next Surgeon, run by cardiac surgeon Bobby Yanagawa, is a partnership with Toronto Community Housing to expose students to the ins and outs of careers in surgery, helping ensure these pathways are open to people who might not have considered them.
Another philanthropic priority is the Temerty Building, which will bring together Temerty Medicine and the Faculty of Arts & Science. How will the new building support research, collaboration and future growth, and how can donors get involved?
We’re very excited about this building, which will help us create the world-class facilities we need to do the great research we’re empowered to do, as well as provide gathering spaces for the community. It will allow us to think differently and more creatively about how we train the next generation of not just health professionals, but researchers as well, to be future-ready.
The partnership with the Faculty of Arts & Science will ensure the research we’re doing is integrated and that the things we discover don’t sit on a shelf somewhere but actually enhance the lives of patients.
Through mentorship, we can help young people navigate potential pathways and just be there to answer questions in formal and informal capacities.
Donors can be involved in so many ways. Brick-and-mortar facilities are important, but so is supporting the work that’s going to be taking place – and the people and programs that make it happen.
It’s important to note that Temerty Medicine has a long history of philanthropy that’s grown over the decades, with thousands of generous donors and alumni supporting the faculty now. Every gift of every size helps fuel our mission.
Through mentorship, we can help young people navigate potential pathways and just be there to answer questions in formal and informal capacities.
A recent example is the newly opened Scarborough Academy of Medicine and Integrated Health, which includes nurse practitioner, physician assistant, pharmacy and physical therapy programs, with MD students starting next year. We’re very grateful to Myron and Berna Garron for supporting the Myron and Berna Garron Health Sciences Complex, where our students will learn.
Earlier this year, you and your family established an MD/PhD Award for students becoming clinician-scientists – typically a journey that spans eight to nine years, combining undergraduate medical education with the pursuit of a life sciences doctorate. What inspired you to make this gift?
My position has given me an up-close and personal view of the impact clinician-scientists can have. These folks are so well positioned to make a difference because they can see from their clinical practice where there are gaps in care and our understanding of health, disease and treatments, which they can address in their research to figure out real-world solutions.
At U of T and TAHSN, we have 700 clinician-scientists – an extraordinary number – but they face a long and hard pathway and a lot of financial barriers, and some government funding for this program is no longer available. That’s why I wanted to do whatever I could to support our fantastic program and the brilliant students who are part of it.
One of the Defy Gravity campaign’s goals is to inspire more alumni to engage with the university by volunteering, mentoring and attending events. As a U of T alumna yourself, what role do you see your fellow alumni playing in the faculty today?
They play a huge role. The only reason I am where I am today is because I’ve had amazing mentors who’ve helped me at different stages, opened doors and supported me, even through tough times.
When I think of my fellow alumni, we’re so well positioned because of our experience, expertise in different areas and our networks. Through mentorship, we can help young people navigate potential pathways and just be there to answer questions in formal and informal capacities. There’s so much we can be doing to give back.
As the Vice-Provost, Relations with Health Care Institutions, you’re deeply involved with the Toronto Academic Health Science Network (TAHSN). How do U of T’s relationships with Toronto hospitals and health care institutions benefit students, patients and researchers?
TAHSN is an integral part of our community, and we see the network like a fourth campus as so many of our students and faculty members are in the TAHSN system. We’re so much stronger when we work together.
We have so many people who work in both research and health care, so we’re very well positioned to take our discoveries and translate and test them within this system. Fortunately, TAHSN’s work on a master collaboration agreement is starting to reduce barriers and accelerate approval times so that we can partner much more effectively in research.
We have an outstanding shared history of discovery with our hospital partners, and a big focus for us during U of T’s upcoming Bicentennial will be celebrating that.
How has Temerty Medicine opened its doors wider over the years since your student days?
I’ve already talked about the impact of financial support through the Temerty gift. We’ve also done a lot of work through mentorship. The Summer Mentorship Program, for example, which is just celebrating its 32nd anniversary, is a program for high school students from Indigenous and Black communities. Community of Support is a newer intensive mentorship program for students from lots of different communities who lack traditional resources. We also offer a free MCAT prep course for students who have financial need, and it’s made a huge difference in our student population.
We want to make sure the brilliance of our entire community is reflected in all that we do. We know that matters when it comes to timely, high-quality and dignified care, which translates directly into health outcomes for people from underserved communities.
