[Jeff Lozon speaking] Our journey begins in 1999 when St. Michael's Hospital first identified
research as a priority in our hospital's strategic plan. In 2000, we successfully
recruited Art to be our very first vice-president of Research.
There was quite a lot of skepticism externally and some internally about whether or not
St. Michaels could actually mount a great research program. So we knew that our
first vice-president of Research had to be a world-class scientist in their own
right, and in addition had the capacity to build world-class scientific programs
above and beyond their own scientific expertise. Art Slutsky fit the bill 100 per cent
on both of those characteristics. Over the next five years, Art started
recruiting top scientists, establishing world-class research
centres that aligned with the hospital's mission and values. However they were all
spread out across six separate sites. In 2004, with Art's leadership, the hospital
made a commitment to build a research building that would bring nearly all of
our researchers together under one roof.
[Alayne Metrick speaking] Pat and Barbara Keenan had decided that
they wanted to help us support a new research building, which was absolutely
critical at the time. We also had the chance, however, to get Mr. Li Ka-Shing
to make a very significant contribution. So we developed the idea of the Li
Ka Shing Knowledge Institute. And I have to give Art full credit -- and Bob
Howard -- but Art particularly for coming up with an idea where we would be
bringing best practice in research to the bedside faster. And the symbolism of
the bridge helped make that a reality.
[Jeff Lozon speaking] During this time of incredible growth at
St. Michael's Hospital, Art was also director of the Interdepartmental
Division of Critical Care Medicine at the University of Toronto. His leadership
in critical care was instrumental in building this world-class division and
contributed to St. Michael's Hospital's international reputation as a top
critical care centre.
[Dr. Laurent Brochard speaking] On of the difficulties with critical care is that
people have different backgrounds and come from different disciplines,
and it was very important to be sure that critical care was
recognized by the University of Toronto as really a leader in the academic field.
And he has been really successful. And that's why I said, "Well, Toronto,
Art Stutsky... that's a great place to come."
[Dr. Andreas Laupacis speaking] I joined St. Mike's in 2006. He literally called me up on the phone and said there was
this exciting donation from Mr. Li coming, and St. Mike's was going to do some
awesome things about research. Would you like to come?
A week later, I think my contract was signed. Art has this incredible
excitement about just good science. Whether it's, you know, so here's a guy
that was an engineer, does basic science research, identified
ventilation-induced lung injury and he's really, really genuinely excited about
population health research and research on marginalized populations.
So that makes him a super special guy.
[Jeff Lozon speaking] Art's motto has always been "recruit for brains,
hire for personality." This has led research excellence and impact, and has
also built a very special and collaborative culture.
[Dr. Muhammad Mamdani speaking] He has very high standards, but he's managed to recruit a lot of people who
just are really fun to work with, who love what they do and can come together.
And that's what's really been so special about Art. He has this talent to do that.
It's not just about the science and the academics, it's about the people.
[Dr. Sharon Straus speaking] Because everything begins and ends with patients, we are hospital
research institute, and I believe that one of the things that is so important
is for us to make sure that our research is going to benefit the patients that we
provide care for. And I think that's one of the great strengths of Art.
He was visionary in being able to recognize the importance of that and to
make sure that we would align what we do with hospital priorities, but ultimately
with providing excellent patient care.
[Dr. Warren Lee speaking] As a mentor, Art has has been fantastic.
He's not only been able to nurture my development as a scientist, but he's done
in a way that I've been able to preserve my independence -- developed my own
reputation separate from his, and come into my own. He knows how to promote
people without overshadowing.
[Jeff Lozon speaking] St. Michael's Hospital's current success in
research is a reflection of Art's vision and his leadership. When Art started,
St. Mike's research funding from CIHR, a major source of federal funding for
health research in Canada, was about a million dollars. And scientists were
publishing about 400 journal articles annually. Fast-forward to today: The
hospital's funding from CIHR has increased more than tenfold to over
14 million, and our researchers publish over 1,400 articles each year.
I don't think anybody in 2000 could have predicted where we would be in 2018.
By about 2009, we knew that this was a great trajectory for research at St. Michael's
Hospital. So you could actually see in 2009 where it was going to go. You just
weren't actually sure how high it could get.
So when you bring Art Slutsky into the hospital, you also bring Myra Slutsky into
the hospital. And she is a strong, capable, talented person, and together they make a
very formidable team. And they collectively have created an environment
where many, many scientists have felt very good about coming to our organization.
Wow, we just wish Art the very best
in his future activities. He's curious, he's open-minded, he listens well, he will
have a great career post being vice-president of St. Michael's Hospital.