A cardiologist’s legacy of giving back to Sinai Health

Born and raised in the city, Dr. Nitkin started his medical training at the University of Toronto. He completed rotations at some of Toronto’s leading hospitals – but it was his time at Mount Sinai Hospital that he credits with laying the foundation for the clinician and researcher he would become.  

As a medical student, intern and fellow, Dr. Nitkin spent years training at Mount Sinai. It’s where he fell in love with cardiology and where the commitment to compassionate care among his mentors fuelled his own desire to advance the field. After his father passed away due to a heart condition, Dr. Nikin's interest in the field shifted from being purely academic to being informed by personal experience. 

“I realized how lucky I was in life to have a father who instilled in me the importance of working hard, having a good job and helping people,” says Dr. Nitkin. 

After completing additional training at Stanford Medical Centre in the United States, Dr. Nitkin returned to Toronto. He was proud to take on a position as a cardiologist at Scarborough Health Network, where he helped start the hospital’s cardiology program.  

After a few years of practicing in Scarborough, Dr. Nitkin had the opportunity to partner with Mount Sinai to bring medical students into his practice each week, offering hands-on clinical experience in cardiology. He welcomed this chance to stay connected with his roots and pass on the kind of expert training that was given to him. 

In addition to his contributions as a teacher, Dr. Nitkin also worked as a researcher, investigating congestive heart failure, arrhythmias, acute coronary syndromes and sudden death. He's particularly proud of his work on an international study that examined the benefits of a drug designed to help dissolve blood clots with reduced risk. At the time, the treatment was groundbreaking and was able to improve outcomes for many people at risk of heart attacks. But above all else, he was committed to providing great quality care to his patients, proudly sharing how meaningful it was to him whenever he received positive reviews from them. 

Paying his opportunities forward for the next generation of health-care leaders

Now, after more than 40 years in medicine, Dr. Nitkin has retired. He’s joined a pickleball league, he’s learning the guitar and he’s taking time to travel with his partner BobbieLynn – all things he didn’t have time for while he was practicing as a cardiologist.  

But he’s still committed to making a difference in the lives of others. He volunteers regularly with his local synagogue, and he also runs educational sessions on heart health. And as Dr. Nitkin reflects on the experiences that have shaped his life of service, and the legacy that he wants to leave behind, he’s decided he wants to give back to the institution that helped shape his life.  

That’s why he’s chosen to leave a legacy gift to Sinai Health in his will. “Mount Sinai was my home,” Dr. Nitkin reminisces. “I lived on Elm Street for four years and so I spent a lot of time at Mount Sinai. I knew it very well.”

For Dr. Nitkin, giving back is a privilege. It’s his way of expressing his gratitude for the education he received, the mentors who guided him and the system that supported his growth. And it’s about ensuring the impact of Sinai Health continues, so that future generations of physicians receive the same exceptional training that he did.  

“It’s a privilege and honour to give back and help others,” he says. “I want to give back to organizations that were very instrumental to me.”

By including Sinai Health in his estate plans, Dr. Nitkin is ensuring that the mentorship, education and compassionate care that shaped his career will continue to shape the next generation of health-care leaders. You can create a lasting legacy, too. Whether through a gift in your will, retirement savings or other estate planning options, your generosity can help ensure Sinai Health continues to deliver exceptional care, breakthrough research and world-class education for generations to come. Learn more about legacy giving and estate planning.