Honouring impact with the 2026 Dean’s Alumni Awards
The University of Toronto’s Temerty Faculty of Medicine is pleased to announce the 2026 recipients of the Dean’s Alumni Awards, honouring five outstanding members of our alumni community who share a deep commitment to advancing human health through excellence in clinical care, research and education.
Selected by a volunteer committee of alumni and students, this year’s awardees represent a wide range of fields — genetic medicine, cardiology, biochemistry, speech-language pathology and forensic medicine — and their impact extends across Canada and around the world.
“I was inspired by the strength and breadth of this year’s nominations,” says Lisa Robinson (MD ’91, PGME Internal Medicine), Dean of the Temerty Faculty of Medicine and U of T’s Vice-Provost, Relations with Health Care Institutions. “These alumni are making a meaningful difference and advancing health for communities everywhere. Their accomplishments are a source of pride and a powerful testament to the lasting impact of a Temerty Medicine education.”
Here are the recipients of the 2026 Dean’s Alumni Awards:
Daniel Beriault (PGME Clinical Biochemistry ’16)
Emerging Leader Award
Daniel Beriault is a nationally recognized clinical biochemist whose innovative work is transforming laboratory medicine and public health responses to the opioid crisis. As co-founder of Toronto’s Drug Checking Service and Dosecheck, he has played a key role in implementing point-of-use technologies that allow for rapid analysis of substances which helps to reduce overdose risk and inform policy decisions. Beriault is currently the Division Head of Biochemistry for all Unity Health Toronto sites, as well as a leader in laboratory test utilization and guideline development who works with initiatives such as Choosing Wisely Canada to promote evidence-based practices. Through his significant scholarly contributions and commitment to advancing care for our most vulnerable populations, Beriault stands out as a national leader in his field.
Martha Gulati (MD ’95)
MAA MD Alumni of Distinction Award
Martha Gulati is an internationally renowned cardiologist and a leading voice in advancing women’s cardiovascular health. Over the course of her career, she has reshaped understanding of how heart disease is diagnosed and treated in women. Her pioneering research has helped establish more equitable standards in cardiovascular medicine and influenced practices around prevention, risk assessment and treatment worldwide. Gulati has held prominent roles with several major professional organizations, including the presidency of the American Society for Preventive Cardiology, and is currently a professor of cardiology at Houston Methodist where she holds the Davis Chair in Women’s Cardiovascular Health. A dedicated educator and mentor, she is widely respected for fostering the next generation of cardiology clinicians and scientists.
Jana Leggett (MHSc ’03)
Impact Award
Jana Leggett is a transformative leader in speech-language pathology, recognized for advancing evidence-based practices across educational and clinical settings in Canada. Her work has been instrumental in improving how early language and literacy challenges are identified and addressed, with lasting effects on student outcomes nationwide. As co-lead of the Start Strong Together Early Language Initiative for the Toronto District School Board (TDSB), Leggett helped reshape how early language development is identified and supported at the TDSB. Outside of her work with the school board, Leggett has influenced countless practitioners through her teaching, program development and passionate advocacy for evidence-based literacy. Across all her roles, she continues to drive meaningful improvements in literacy outcomes and access to care.
Michael Pollanen (PhD ’95, MD ’99)
Humanitarian Award
Michael Pollanen is an internationally respected forensic pathologist whose career has been devoted to advancing human rights, justice and global health. He is the Chief Forensic Pathologist (CFP) and a Deputy Chief Coroner for Ontario, as well as a U of T professor of laboratory medicine and pathobiology. He has worked with international organizations on inquiries into torture, deaths in custody and mass atrocities in more than twenty countries and has participated in extensive volunteer forensic missions. He founded the G. Raymond Chang Forensic Pathology Fellowship at U of T, a global training initiative that builds local expertise and capacity in underserved regions, which has catalyzed other related advocacy and research. Pollanen’s humanitarian impact is exceptional in scope, depth and sustainability and extends far beyond his formal academic and clinical roles.
Katherine Siminovitch (MD ’76, PGME Internal Medicine ’81)
Lifetime Achievement Award
Katherine Siminovitch is a distinguished clinician-scientist whose pioneering work has transformed our understanding of genetic and autoimmune diseases. Her research has led to landmark discoveries, including identifying the gene responsible for Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome and uncovering key genetic risk factors for conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis and vasculitis — findings that have significantly advanced diagnostic precision and therapeutic development. As the founding Director of the Litwin Centre in Genetic Medicine at University Health Network’s Mount Sinai Hospital, Siminovitch has been instrumental in integrating clinical care, research and education, fundamentally reshaping how adult genetic medicine is delivered. Siminovitch has also made a profound cultural impact through her leadership of the Siminovitch Prize, which honours excellence and innovation in Canadian theatre. Her career reflects an enduring commitment to public contribution, leaving a legacy that bridges science, medicine and the arts.
The 2026 Dean's Alumni Award recipients will be honoured at an intimate celebration this fall.
Learn more about the Dean’s Alumni Awards and how you can nominate a member of the Temerty Medicine alumni community for a future award.
