For 15 years, Melissa Martin has been a driving force behind some of the most impactful moments at our Foundation. From her leadership roles as Vice Chair of the Board, Co-Chair of Angels Den, and Co-Chair of the Research Innovation Council, to her contributions to events like Angel Ball, our Board Chair shares her inspiring vision for the future.
Q: What motivated you to champion St. Michael’s Hospital?
A: Once you get a window into the magic that goes on at St. Michael’s, there’s no turning back. Every day, this place surprises and inspires me.
Our doctors and scientists are tackling some of the world’s toughest health challenges. They do it without judgment, without ego and without exception. They truly are tireless.
That’s why, despite facing this fragile moment in healthcare, I have never been more hopeful about the future.
Q: What are some facts about St. Michael’s that might surprise people?
A: Where do I start? Did you know that we deploy more AI health tools than any other hospital in the country? Or that we’re home to Canada’s largest research centre dedicated to tackling health inequities? Or that we have one of the highest trauma survival rates in North America? Or that we admit rehab patients with the lowest functional independence scores, and discharge them home with the highest?
But my job—and my passion—is sharing the stories behind the stats. Why should people care that we’re inventing these AI tools? Because they’re saving real lives as we speak. Moms, dads, sons, daughters. Why does it matter that we’re globally recognized for health equity research? Because that research is removing barriers to care for people here and around the world. What does it mean to be a top trauma hospital? It means that when the unthinkable happens, our health teams are ready to respond. And functional independence scores? They translate into lives restored and reclaimed.
Q: What role do you play?
A: My job is to give people a reason to care by connecting the dots—showing them that when they support the Foundation, they’re making a meaningful difference. It’s about helping people see and feel the impact of their philanthropy.
Q: What’s your vision as the new Chair of the St. Michael’s and Providence Foundation Board?
A: St. Michael’s is a testing ground for globally impactful health innovations. We’re the architects of models and programs that hospitals across Canada—and the world—can adopt. Providence Healthcare helps people from all walks of life overcome and navigate extraordinary circumstances. Their health teams literally transform lives.
As Chair of the Foundation’s Board, it’s my privilege to share stories like these publicly and powerfully. At this precarious moment in Canadian healthcare, I want to instill a sense of hope and possibility. Because when you look at what’s happening at our hospitals—the breakthroughs, the compassion, the impact—you can’t help but believe in a brighter future.
Q: What’s been your biggest accomplishment at the Foundation?
A: Without a doubt, co-chairing Angels Den alongside Gwen Harvey. What started in a small classroom at the Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute has grown to become Canada’s biggest medical research competition. Now a live event at Koerner Hall, Angels Den brings together some of our brightest scientists to pitch their life-changing ideas to a panel of judges, jurors, and nearly 1,000 guests.
But it’s so much more than just a competition. It’s a celebration of the groundbreaking innovations coming out of our hospital. For 10 years, Angels Den has been giving our scientists the platform—and funding—they need to turn breakthrough ideas into reality.
Recently, The Globe and Mail highlighted the commercialization successes of Angels Den, shining a national spotlight on our scientists. Seeing their achievements recognized in this way was incredibly validating and deeply rewarding.
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