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Dec 20, 2024

Two ob-gyn faculty among U of T community members recognized with Order of Canada

Awards, Faculty

"Each in their own way, they broaden the realm of possibilities and inspire others to continue pushing its boundaries"

Headshot of professors on abstract yellow circles
(photos supplied)
David Chitayat (left) and Greg Ryan
By Adam Elliott Segal

A pediatric surgeon who pioneered techniques to keep children’s hearts pumping. An anthropologist whose work has explored how land development shapes communities. A leading mathematician also renowned for scholarship on Indian philosophy.

These are a few of the University of Toronto community members who were recently recognized by the Order of Canada.

The Governor General announced 88 new appointments to the Order of Canada on Dec 18, including three promotions. They include George Trusler, former head of cardiac surgery at the Hospital for Sick Children and a professor emeritus in the department of surgery in the Temerty Faculty of Medicine; Tania Li, a University Professor in the department of anthropology in the Faculty of Arts & Science; and Vijaya Kumar Murty, a professor in the department of mathematics in the Faculty of Arts & Science.

“Members of the Order of Canada are builders of hope for a better future,” Gov. Gen. Mary Simon said in a statement. “Each in their own way, they broaden the realm of possibilities and inspire others to continue pushing its boundaries. Thank you for your perseverance, fearless leadership and visionary spirit, and welcome to the Order of Canada.” 

Created in 1967, the Order of Canada is one of the country’s highest civilian honours. It recognizes individuals whose achievements and service have had an impact on communities across Canada and beyond.

Here are the two ob-gyn faculty members, David Chitayat and Greg Ryan, who were appointed in this latest round:

Headshot of David Chitayat
(photo supplied)

David Chitayat

Chitayat, head of the prenatal diagnosis and medical genetics program at Mount Sinai Hospital, physician at SickKids and professor in the Temerty Faculty of Medicine’s departments of paediatrics, obstetrics and gynaecology, laboratory medicine and pathobiology, and molecular genetics, was named a Member of the Order for his globally acclaimed work identifying genes associated with fetal abnormalities and postnatal newborns.

Picture of Greg Ryan in scrubs in hospital corridor
(photo supplied)

Greg Ryan

Ryan, a perinatologist at Mount Sinai Hospital, head of the fetal medicine unit at Sinai Health and professor in the department of obstetrics and gynaecology in the Temerty Faculty of Medicine, was named a Member of the Order for his groundbreaking contributions to fetal medicine. A senior clinician scientist in the Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, he has revolutionized in-utero treatment and care, improving outcomes for mothers and their unborn children globally.

Story from U of T News, with files from Matthew Tierney. See original for full list of appointed U of T community members.