Celebrating the changemakers shaping Sinai Health's future
From high school students transitioning to post-secondary education to health-care professionals pursuing further training, Sinai Health’s annual Scholarships, Bursaries and Awards ceremony celebrates achievement, growth and lifelong learning.
As a teaching hospital, Sinai Health is proud to support its people and their children throughout their academic journeys. This year’s recipients include learners, researchers and health-care professionals whose accomplishments are advancing research, enhancing patient care and strengthening communities across Sinai Health and beyond.
Congratulations to the 2026 recipients.
The Drucker-Reitman Families Innovation Award – Clinical
The Drucker-Reitman Families Innovation Awards recognize outstanding discovery research and clinical innovation by trainees at the Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute. Their work has the potential to advance knowledge, improve patient outcomes and transform the future of health care.
Emerson Grabke is an MD-PhD trainee at the Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute. Under the mentorship of Dr. Masoom Haider, he developed a novel artificial intelligence approach that uses routinely generated radiology reports to create highly realistic synthetic prostate MRI images. His work addresses a major challenge in medical AI development by reducing the need for large, annotated data sets. By combining expertise in engineering, artificial intelligence and medicine, Emerson is helping advance the future of medical imaging research and patient care.
The Diamond Jubilee Scholarship
Created in recognition of Mount Sinai Hospital’s 75th anniversary, the Diamond Jubilee Scholarship supports children of Sinai Health employees and physicians in their pursuit of higher education. Recipients are recognized for academic achievement, leadership and community involvement.
Sara Jacob, daughter of Reenu Joseph, a Lab Coordinator at Mount Sinai Services, is recognized for her leadership, musical excellence and community involvement. A talented saxophonist, pianist and vocalist, she mentors younger students and volunteers at Peel Memorial Hospital, where she performs piano to create a welcoming environment for patients, families and staff. She has also explored the connection between music and cardiovascular health through community education initiatives.
Hannah Lee, daughter of Yujin Yang, an Application Developer at the Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, has demonstrated a strong commitment to health advocacy and community well-being. Through volunteer roles at Women’s College Hospital and St. Michael’s Hospital, she has contributed to initiatives that support patient education and improve access to care. As co-president of her student council, she also led a peer-focused anti-vaping program and championed wellness initiatives within her school community.
The Rose Torno Bursary
The Rose Torno Bursary supports individuals pursuing research or continuing education in the health sciences.
Ivy Cheung is a Mental Health Clinician in the Seniors’ Wellness Centre within the Department of Psychiatry at Mount Sinai Hospital. She is known for her clinical expertise and commitment to culturally responsive mental health care and community education. As nurse lead for the Shall We Talk Project, she co-developed programs aimed at reducing social isolation among Chinese-speaking older adults. Ivy is pursuing a Master of Science in Nursing at Trinity Western University to further strengthen her leadership and clinical practice.
The Valerie Fine Bursary
The Valerie Fine Bursary recognizes an individual who exemplifies Sinai Health's value of Humanity and supports continued education that promotes patient-care excellence.
Gelila Tento is a Registered Practical Nurse on the Float Pool team at Hennick Bridgepoint Hospital. Recognized for the compassion and respect he brings to every patient interaction, he takes the time to understand each patient’s unique circumstances and goals. Patients frequently describe feeling seen, heard and valued under his care. This bursary will support his studies as he pursues his Registered Nurse designation through Seneca’s Honours Bachelor of Science in Nursing Bridging Program.
The Donald E. Low Bursary Fund
The Donald E. Low Bursary Fund supports individuals studying or practising in microbiology to pursue specialized learning opportunities and expand knowledge in the field.
Dr. Kumudhavalli Sridhar is a resident in the Department of Medical Microbiology at Mount Sinai Hospital whose expertise and collaborative approach have enriched the learning experience of her fellow trainees. Through the Donald E. Low Bursary Fund, she completed advanced training at the National Microbiology Laboratory in Winnipeg, focusing on microbial proteomics and genomic sequencing. She will share these learnings with colleagues and trainees at Sinai Health while exploring opportunities to integrate emerging technologies into laboratory practice.
Bernard Ghert Award of Resident Excellence in Patient Focused Care
The Bernard Ghert Award recognizes a resident who demonstrates exceptional patient care, teaching excellence and strong relationships with patients and families.
Dr. Xingham (Hill) Du is a General Internal Medicine resident at Mount Sinai Hospital who exemplifies patient-centred care. He is known for his warmth, empathy and commitment to ensuring patients and families feel informed, supported and engaged in their care. A dedicated advocate, Hill consistently goes above and beyond to create a positive care experience and build meaningful relationships with those he serves. Through his leadership, professionalism and example, he inspires learners and colleagues alike.
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