‘One of the top nursing schools in the world’: Lawrence Bloomberg celebrates the impact of his gift, 15 years on

Aug 5, 2022

Fifteen years ago, the Faculty of Nursing at the University of Toronto was given a new name and a new opportunity to bolster its reputation as one of the top nursing schools in the world. Since that time, the Lawrence S. Bloomberg Faculty of Nursing has continued to excel, adding significant capabilities in the area of nursing research and continuing education for nurse leaders.

“Our students and faculty receive incredible support in the form of unique scholarship opportunities and ways to advance their research, thanks to the generosity of donors like Mr. Bloomberg who continue to give back to the future of nursing at the University of Toronto,” says Linda Johnston, Dean of the Lawrence S. Bloomberg Faculty of Nursing.

For Lawrence Bloomberg, success in the business world has always been about more than financial reward.

“It has always been a goal of mine to give back and play a role in the community. I always felt that if I was able to give a gift that would truly make a difference, then it needed to be in health care education, and what better place to provide that support than to nursing,” says Bloomberg.

I always felt that if I was able to give a gift that would truly make a difference, then it needed to be in health care education.
Lawrence S. Bloomberg

Reflecting on this milestone anniversary, Lawrence Bloomberg spoke with writer Rebecca Biason about his inspiration for giving and his pride in the ongoing achievements of the Faculty.

What inspired you to give to the Bloomberg Faculty of Nursing at the University of Toronto?

I had been fortunate to be in a position to give back to health care for a number of years, but it was in my role as Chairman of the Board at Mount Sinai Hospital that I learned more about the importance of nursing within health care. Not only how integral nursing is to the health care system as a whole, but also the incredible difference nurses make in a patient’s experience, from the delivery of babies to the speed of recovery, to the quality of palliative care.

Nurses are often overlooked. In my mind, providing support for nursing education was a means of helping raise the profile of the profession and elevating the stature of nurses.

But nurses are often overlooked, and the complexity of the role is not completely understood by the public or policy makers.

In my mind, providing support for nursing education was a means of helping raise the profile of the profession and elevating the stature of nurses.

Nurses are often overlooked. In my mind, providing support for nursing education was a means of helping raise the profile of the profession and elevating the stature of nurses.

What are some of the achievements or accolades of the Faculty over the past 15 years that have made you most proud?

When my family began its association with the University and the Faculty of Nursing, it was recognized as one of the top nursing schools not only in the country but in the world. Over the past 15 years, the Faculty has maintained its top-tier status and proven consistent in its focus on excellence in nursing education, practice, and research.

Research is incredibly important to me; it is the catalyst behind so many innovations and changes that have taken place in our lifetime.

Research is incredibly important to me; it is the catalyst behind so many innovations and changes that have taken place in our lifetime, and U of T is a powerhouse of research expertise. At the Faculty of Nursing global collaboration in research through the Frances Bloomberg Visiting Professorship and Tom Keirnans International Postdoctoral fellowship, has allowed students and faculty to benefit from a broad cross fertilization of ideas.

In addition to its profound research capabilities, the Faculty has also been committed to continuous education and has established the Centre for Professional Development in nursing education. The nursing profession changes so quickly, and the Centre provides this wonderful opportunity for nurses both in Canada and around the world to benefit from continuous learning, affording them an opportunity to adapt quickly to changes in the workforce.

Research is incredibly important to me; it is the catalyst behind so many innovations and changes that have taken place in our lifetime.

What has been the most enjoyable part of your connection to the Faculty of Nursing and the University?

I have most definitely enjoyed my association with the Faculty. The Deans I have had the pleasure and opportunity to work with are superb and have done an excellent job.

The COVID-19 pandemic has brought about a new focus on the role of nurses, and it has been wonderful to see graduates of Bloomberg Nursing in the field. I can recall countless times when provincial governments have felt that we had too few or too many nurses, and it is good to see the recognition that we need more nurses to operate the health care system safely.

It has been rewarding to see so many students supported through scholarship funds.

Of course, Bloomberg Nursing would not exist without its students, and since the naming of the Faculty, it has been rewarding to see so many students supported through scholarship funds, provided by Seymour Schulich and others, that have allowed them to pursue their dreams. Many of these students go on to become world-class health care providers or researchers, caring for individuals across their life span.

It has been rewarding to see so many students supported through scholarship funds.

By Rebecca Biason

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