New leadership gift set to transform surgery

Introducing the Blake & Belinda Goldring Department
of Surgery and the Blake Goldring Chair in Surgery

When the email arrived in Blake Goldring’s inbox this past January, he had no idea the words inside were going to make his day, maybe even his year.

“Happy New Year, Blake,” wrote Dr. Andrew Dueck, Sunnybrook vascular surgeon and assistant professor of surgery, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto. “I just wanted to let you know you helped save another life today.”

Mr. Goldring, the executive chairman of Canadian-based investment management firm AGF Management Limited, and his wife, Belinda, had made a generous lead gift to build and outfit Sunnybrook’s first hybrid operating room.

Opened in January 2022, the Blake & Belinda Goldring and Family Hybrid Operating Room supports Sunnybrook’s most complicated surgeries involving patients with urgent and often competing needs. Having access to multiple specialists in the same room without the need for transfer from the operating room to the catheterization lab or imaging suite has proved life-saving for countless patients.

It was an immense feeling of humility, and also great pride, knowing our donation helped skilled surgical teams make a meaningful difference while also helping Sunnybrook fulfill its mission to be there when it matters most,” Mr. Goldring recalls of the moment he read Dr. Dueck’s email.

Driving surgical breakthroughs

It wasn’t the first nor will it be the last time the former Sunnybrook Board Chair and current member of the Sunnybrook Foundation Governing Council will make a life-saving and life-changing difference with his gifts.

In April 2023, Sunnybrook Foundation and the Temerty Faculty of Medicine at the University of Toronto announced the endowed Blake Goldring Chair in Surgery, established with a significant donation from Blake and Belinda Goldring. Sunnybrook Foundation is also recognizing more than $10 million in giving from the Goldring family with the naming of the Blake & Belinda Goldring Department of Surgery.

Blake and Belinda have always been quick to appreciate that it takes the right space, equipment and people to invent the future of health care. With this latest donation, they’re helping to build the critical mass of experts required to drive surgical breakthroughs and deliver personalized and precise treatments,” says Sunnybrook’s President and CEO, Dr. Andy Smith.

A joint initiative of Sunnybrook and U of T, the Blake Goldring Chair in Surgery will enable both institutions to attract and support top talent and advance new approaches to surgical care. It will also have broader impact across the city and beyond, through the sharing of surgical innovations and practices that lead to better patient outcomes at lower costs.

Additionally, the Blake Goldring Chair will help cultivate and support the next generation of surgical leaders through U of T’s Surgeon Scientist Training Program.

Rising to new challenges

“The Goldring Chair will advance our reputation and impact as one of the best university departments of surgery in the world,” says Dr. Avery Nathens, Sunnybrook’s surgeon-in-chief and the inaugural chairholder. Among many priorities, Dr. Nathens plans to leverage funding from the endowed chair to explore new ways of evaluating surgical care using Sunnybrook and U of T’s unique strengths in clinical trials, artificial intelligence and data sciences.

Having the right person to lead and speed those innovations is “just one more arrow in our quiver,” says Mr. Goldring, adding that it is also the right time to invest in surgical research, education and care.

As Canada’s population ages, it is important now more than ever to ensure everyone is able to access quality health care – especially as COVID-19 shined a spotlight on the weaknesses in the health system,” says Mr. Goldring.

“Philanthropy plays an important role in advancing health care, and I am grateful to be able to lend our support in this way,” says Mr. Goldring.

U of T President Meric Gertler expressed heartfelt thanks on behalf of the University for this latest act of generosity from Blake and Belinda Goldring. “Together with the Goldrings and Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, we are excited to help usher in a new era of surgical care and innovation,” he says. “This gift builds on Blake’s remarkable legacy as a longtime U of T donor, dedicated volunteer and distinguished alumnus. This latest act of generosity and vision further advances the Goldring family’s status as truly outstanding citizens of the University of Toronto.”

Four generations of the Goldring family have attended U of T. This deep relationship is reflected in the family’s visionary philanthropy and leadership, and its ongoing dedication to supporting higher education and student life. A proud U of T alumnus, Mr. Goldring has supported many causes and projects at the University. He currently serves as a member of the steering committee for the University’s Defy Gravity campaign.

Combined power of two world-class institutions

With this latest gift, Mr. Goldring is intent on harnessing the combined power of two world-class institutions to help deliver better health outcomes for all, while motivating others to do likewise.

“It’s a great honour to be a part of Sunnybrook and U of T, and a great privilege to be able to give back and know that it’s going to make a meaningful difference,” Mr. Goldring says, pausing to reflect again on Dr. Dueck’s email.

“There’s such a great feeling of warmth from the heart to know that you’re helping support top-notch surgical teams as they save lives.”