Published: August 2024
When Dr. Francois Auclair and Jennifer Toby met six years ago, they developed an immediate bond over their shared connection to The Ottawa Hospital. Despite their different approaches to helping the hospital’s community, both had a strong passion for giving back.
“It was essentially common values,” says Dr. Auclair of what connected them.
The two have worked hard for The Ottawa Hospital and given back in many ways, including through their work, time, donations, volunteering, and, most recently, they decided to leave a gift in their will to our hospital. Jennifer sees it as an important investment in the future of healthcare.
“Any financial contribution is an investment in making this a better hospital,” says Jennifer.
While they only became a couple a few years ago, their respective contributions began long before they knew one another and have made a significant impact.
“Any financial contribution is an investment in making this a better hospital."
A leading infectious disease expert drawn to The Ottawa Hospital
Dr. Auclair is an infectious disease expert who has dedicated more than 38 years to The Ottawa Hospital. After growing up in Trois-Rivieres and training in the United States, he was drawn to our hospital because of the complexity of the work that comes with a large healthcare centre.
As a clinician, he’s always prioritized what he describes as, “The bedside practice and the humanity aspect of medicine.” This aligns exactly with the vision of this hospital — to provide each patient with the world-class care, exceptional service, and compassion we would want for our loved ones.
One of his main interests is how to best explain to a patient what their health issue is. “Patients sometimes don’t receive clear explanations about the state of their health, and I understand how distressing this can be. I’ve always been a bedside type of physician, and I never liked the cold approach that I sometimes observed,” he says. “I think it makes a big difference in the wellbeing of the patient.”
His belief that the emotional journey of the patient is critically important is one of the core values he and Jennifer shared when they first met and something that continues to connect them to this day.
The “art” of philanthropy
Since 2000, Jennifer has been supporting our hospital. It began when she participated in the campaign to support a new Critical Care Wing at the General Campus. Her passion for the hospital, she says, comes in part from the fact that so many important social issues are dealt with here.
“It addresses all types of issues, from homelessness to aging well to having babies,” says Jennifer. “I think that a good hospital experience stays with you, and I appreciate the fact that we have an excellent hospital here.”
The couple has also found a meaningful way to join their focus on healthcare with their love of art. Since its inception, they have been integral to Creative Wellbeing, a community building initiative connecting local artists with our hospital researchers and clinicians to create original art to enhance hospital spaces and the patient experience.
The Trias Art Prize, which is part of Creative Wellbeing, is a juried competition that intersects art, science, medicine, and community. It is a unique partnership between the community, Ottawa Art Gallery, and The Ottawa Hospital. Local artists submitted work which was reviewed by a jury and five pieces were selected and are now on display at the entrance of the General Campus.
“The Trias prize reflects the commitment to excellence, creativity, and inclusiveness inherent in the Ottawa artistic community, OAG, and The Ottawa Hospital. The prize uses art as a way to knit together the hospital and the community it serves, while creating a more interesting and attractive hospital for patients, staff, and visitors,” says Jennifer.
Beyond just demonstrating the hospital’s world-leading research, Jennifer sees art as a method to provide relief and calm in some of life’s most difficult moments, and her art initiative does just that for many patients.
One patient who was at the hospital for a nerve-racking test shared a note with the hospital team about how she experienced a moment of reprieve while looking at the Trias exhibit on the wall. She expressed appreciation that the hospital looked after not only her physical body, but also her mental and emotional body.
“It means something to the people who come,” says Jennifer. “To me, it’s about the humanity that is at the core of a hospital, but can get lost in the need for efficiency and the hectic pace of a hospital.”
A shared passion for giving
While Dr. Auclair has always had an innate appreciation for art, he says meeting Jennifer brought it out of him. “I’ve come to realize that the entire sensory experience of the patient matters greatly,” he says. “From how they are touched in the hospital to what they see around them.”
Together, they’ve visited multiple healthcare facilities in Europe, taking inspiration from the art-filled walls they’ve seen and the ways in which they portray care. Art has been incorporated into hospitals for centuries to bring care and comfort to patients. The couple has toured hospitals and hospital museums across Canada, as well as in England, Italy, and Belgium. The Creative Arts program at Chelsea Westminster Hospital in London, UK has been a valuable advisor to Creative Wellbeing.
“There are different ways to help, but that's the idea — we need to help, big or small.”
While art has become a mutual passion for them, what they’ve always shared is a common desire to help in whatever way they can. ‘How can I help?’ is Dr. Auclair’s way of thinking. “There are different ways to help, but that’s the idea — we need to help, big or small.”
And help they have. In a true act of generosity, the couple forewent gifts at their wedding and asked guests to donate to The Ottawa Hospital instead.
A legacy for the future of healthcare
The latest contribution will perhaps be the longest lasting. The couple has chosen to leave a gift in their will to the hospital. It’s this type of forward-thinking that helps the hospital plan — whether it’s donation from the estate, a gift of life insurance, or gifts of securities — large or small it helps future generations access the care they need. For Jennifer, it comes down to one question, “Is there anything I can contribute?”
That’s something we want to continue to build on, to strengthen, however we can do it. The hospital needs investment from the community.”
And her answer is yes. According to Jennifer, the reason is simple. “We are very fortunate in this community to have The Ottawa Hospital that will provide the specialized care when you need it, so you don’t have go somewhere else. That’s something we want to continue to build on, to strengthen, however we can do it. The hospital needs investment from the community.”
A hospital is a place that all of us will need at one point or another, she adds, and knowing there’s somewhere you or a loved one can go to receive supportive care — a place full of people who have devoted their lives to caring for people who need it — is essential.
