In a hotel lobby on the outskirts of Toronto, I sat in a room full of strangers, all soccer parents and our kids, watching Game 7 of one of the best World Series ever to be played. There were loud cheers and high fives all around, followed by nail-biting silence and gut-wrenching plays. The game had everything you could wish for – except a win for the Jays. It was a heartbreaking end, but one which inspired me, nonetheless.
“The Blue Jays” World Series run was a masterclass in teamwork. Every player stepped up, playing for each other and for the bigger goal. You could see the extra effort in everything they did and what mattered most was doing it together—with a team of misfits, rookies and journeyman, that believed in one another. Their journey united an entire country, giving Canada a much-needed boost and a reason to cheer. Even the commercials made you smile with Canadian pride.
I have often looked at the parallels of sports and medicine and realize at times, it’s the same spirit we see every day in our operating rooms—surgeons, cardiologists, and care teams working side by side with one goal, the health of our patients. (Minus, of course the million-dollar contracts, endorsements and celebrity status!) I loved seeing this picture of some of the Institute staff make its way into national coverage.
I also just got back yesterday from my annual four-day getaway with my best friend Taryn. With just a carry on – and a new book, these precious days are a reminder of how important it is to have people in our lives who lift us up. Time with Taryn gives me space to recharge, but also a chance to brainstorm, bounce ideas, and share perspectives. We also laugh a lot. We met as board members at the Snowsuit Fund, and while we are total opposites on many levels, I always find renewed energy and clarity when I am with her. We both got off the plane with a long list of ‘to-dos’ for work but with a boost of energy and a fresh tan to do so.
Prior to me leaving, our Foundation was proud to have donors, board members, doctors and some of our leadership teams represented at both the Ottawa Celebrity Sports Dinner and the Negev Dinner. These events are cornerstones of our community, and our presence reflects the Foundation’s commitment to supporting initiatives that bring people together for meaningful causes. It’s always a joy to see patients and doctors reconnecting in these rooms outside of the Institute, reminding us of the strong bonds that extend beyond clinical care.
I also want to share a proud moment for our team. Our own Dr. David Birnie, Dr. George Wells, and the Cardiovascular Research Methods Centre co-led a significant international study on atrial fibrillation.
Their findings were just published in the prestigious New England Journal of Medicine. We are incredibly proud of the entire team for this outstanding accomplishment. You can read the full announcement here.
And here it comes…the checklist.
I can’t believe I am already mentioning our golf and pickleball tournaments in late spring but wanted to give you the heads up that the registration is now open for the Wilbert Keon Memorial Golf Tournament presented by ServiceMaster, taking place on June 15th at the Ottawa Hunt and Golf Club. Our Pickleball Tournament presented by CHG-Meridian, which sold out quickly last year, is also now open for registration—don’t miss your chance to sign up early! We are so excited to take over the EY Center with 90,000 square feet dedicated to the fastest growing game in North America. Essentially, everything has doubled. We are trying not to panic!!!
Our team is also gearing up for many of our holiday campaigns. Giving Tuesday is up next, with focus on our Acute Care Triage Unit (ACTU). I am excited to share those details about the work that is being done. Thank you to Linda and Russell Grass and their group of companies for stepping up once again to match donations on Dec 2nd.
In full transparency, one of my daughter’s friends recently referred to our home as a “Type B” household. I thought this was a hilarious observation. She is right, my Tupperware drawer is in shambles, my hangers are mix and match, the mail is piled up on the kitchen desk, and at least six pairs of shoes are visible in the front entryway. She described hers as a “Type A” household, and I understood exactly what she meant – everything has its place and is always in order. I do admire the Type A’s out there and know that you are likely organized and prepared for the upcoming holiday season. So, with that in mind, I hope you might also plan to string red lights outside of your home or business this February. We are hoping that you will consider the option of turning them red as we get ready for “February Is Heart Month” and our “Light the Capital Red” campaign. We continue to see this initiative build across the city and would love to include even more inspiring displays of community support this year.
As the days get colder and darker, I wish you an easy November with the hope that you find warmth in family and friends and always find yourself in good health.
With gratitude and much love,
Lianne
Lianne
