DR. ROB SARGEANT, AN INSPIRING LEADER AND MENTOR
Dr. Rob Sargeant, the former head of the General Internal Medicine Unit (GIM) at St. Michael’s Hospital, passed away on November 28, 2021 — one year after he was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumour. He was at St. Michael’s for nearly two decades, first as a medical student, then as a resident, fellow, clinician, teacher, leader and mentor to his students and residents, many of whom became close friends.
Under his leadership, the GIM team developed a remarkably warm and supportive environment that makes its members feel like they’re part of a family. He also fostered a patient-centred culture that ensured patients’ needs were met with the expertise and compassion for which St. Michael’s is renowned. One of his most significant accomplishments is the GIM’s Rapid Referral Clinic, which allows urgent cases referred from Emergency or Family Health to be seen within 72 hours.
"Working with the nurses, medical trainees, care and transition facilitators, allied health professionals and physicians at St. Michael’s Hospital has been the most rewarding career I could ever have hoped for. It has been extremely meaningful to come together as a team to care for the most vulnerable patients in the province. Being provided with the opportunity to work with others to introduce new models of care is just a bonus. And putting together the hospital’s COVID-19 unit was the challenge of a lifetime, something I couldn’t have done without the hard work and support of my colleagues. While I am deeply saddened that I haven’t been able to work on the frontlines with my colleagues since being diagnosed with inoperable brain cancer in December 2020, I am honoured that my illness has inspired this fund, which will ensure that GIM can continue to deliver what I consider to be the best care and teaching opportunities in the country well into the future." — The Late Dr. Rob Sargeant
The Dr. Rob Sargeant Fund for General Internal Medicine
Rob and Karen have established a flexible fund that will provide immediate support for the GIM department’s highest-priority needs, which could include anything from vital equipment to educational programs for staff and trainees and team wellness initiatives.
A donation to the Dr. Rob Sargeant Fund for General Internal Medicine will honour the memory of an inspirational leader and help our GIM team navigate the next health challenge and deliver the best care experience to their patients, particularly those experiencing disadvantage.
To read more about Dr. Sargeant’s remarkable legacy, click here.