Published: March 2026
Dr. Innie Chen
Dr. Innie Chen is the new Dr. Elaine Jolly Chair in Women’s Health and Gynecology Research — a chair supported by donors and established to honour Dr. Jolly’s pioneering work to advance women’s health.
A national leader in gynecologic surgical research, Dr. Chen also treats women who have complex gynecologic conditions. She is currently leading national collaborations, and her research is focused on issues surrounding equity of surgical care, safety, and raising the quality of care for women’s gynecologic health.
Her work has already informed national clinical guidelines, reduced surgical complications, and improved recovery for thousands of patients.
Dr. Chen’s focus for the future is harnessing the power of artificial intelligence and big data to predict surgical risks and address health inequities, opening new methods for more personalized care and overcoming invisible barriers in health systems.
Dr. Natasha Kekre
Dr. Natasha Kekre has just been announced as the new Program Director of our Cancer Research Program!
In 2023, she was awarded the Research Chair in Advanced Stem Cell Therapy and has been gaining national attention for her work in bringing lifesaving therapies to Canadian cancer patients. In fact, her work in immunotherapy helped earn her the 2023 Joe Doupe Young Investigator Award.
Her early-career work secured millions in funding and led to numerous peer-reviewed publications, but she might be best known for her pioneering work building the first “made-in-Canada” (CAR) T-cell clinical trial.
“Creating a made-in-Canada cell therapy platform has been groundbreaking and opens a world of possibilities for Canadians needing life-saving therapy options,” says Dr. Kekre.
Rita Timpano
Rita Timpano has been a nurse at TOH for more than 34 years and is currently an RN in the surgical suites, where she greets patients before they come into the operating room. She prepares them for their surgery and usually stays with them as they go off to sleep.
“I hold their hand, and I reassure them, as they’re often anxious,” says Rita. “Then, I proceed with the surgery aspect. If I’m in a scrub role, I assist; if I’m in a circulating role, I do everything in the room to prepare. Patient safety is the number one priority.”
Rita is known for being supportive and compassionate — words she also uses to describe her fellow colleagues. But Rita’s kindness has not gone unnoticed, and recently she received a special thank you, in the form of a Gratitude Award, from a patient, who had this to say to Rita:
“A ‘thank you’ is not enough. Last fall, you treated my father like he was your family. Your sense of humour and the fact that you could speak to him in Italian immediately put him at ease, and I knew I was leaving him in good hands at the OR doors. This past June, it was my turn. Your hug before I entered the OR and you holding my hand as I drifted off to sleep are things I will never forget. Thank you for your kindness, your empathy, and your smile.”
Dr. Lisa Caulley
Dr. Lisa Caulley is a clinician-scientist and otolaryngologist-head and neck surgeon at The Ottawa Hospital.
Her journey into science was inspired by the desire to understand the unknown and the possibilities that science can bring to the world in general. She sees it as a space that combines creativity with curiosity, where asking questions, thinking differently, and testing ideas can lead to discoveries that have real-world impact. That freedom to explore and create is what keeps Dr. Caulley inspired.
Along the way, supportive mentors and meaningful research experiences showed her how powerful science can be when it’s driven by purpose. And that sense of impact and the freedom to explore and create is what keeps her motivated to this day.
Dr. Caulley also hopes to inspire other young women to pursue a career in science. Her advice is: “Stay positive and don’t be afraid to fight for your voice to be heard. Find mentors who support you and remember that there’s no single “right” path into science.”
Dr. Kathleen Gartke
Pioneering orthopedic surgeon and leader in Canadian medicine, Dr. Kathleen Gartke, has recently been appointed to the Order of Ontario — the province’s highest honour. This prestigious recognition speaks volumes about her lifelong commitment to patients, innovation, and leadership — and it also reflects the remarkable standard of excellence we are fortunate to have at The Ottawa Hospital.
Dr. Gartke began her outstanding career as an orthopedic surgeon at Ottawa’s Grace Hospital in 1984 and joined The Ottawa Hospital in 1999. For 15 years, she was the only operating female orthopedic surgeon in Ottawa. She retired from her surgical practice in 2016 before joining the hospital’s administration as Senior Medical Officer, a position she held until October 2025. From then until retirement at the end of February 2026, she served as Strategic Medical Advisor.
In addition to producing a large body of research during her career, for more than 45 years, Dr. Gartke has been a member of the Federation of Medical Women of Canada (FMWC), where she served on the National Executive team for 12 years.
Since joining the administration at The Ottawa Hospital, Dr. Gartke has driven quality and safety initiatives, earned an Award of Excellence and championed women’s health through national campaigns and mentorship.
We’re grateful for Dr. Gartke’s tremendous work as a surgeon, and for advancing patient care and women’s leadership in medicine in Ottawa and across Canada.
The Ottawa Hospital is a leading academic health, research, and learning hospital proudly affiliated with the University of Ottawa.
