The Department of Surgery congratulates Dr. Lee Errett on his appointment to the Order of Canada

The Department of Surgery congratulates Lee Errett, Professor of Surgery, on his appointment to the Order of Canada on the basis of “his transformative leadership in cardiac research and care including his role in establishing St. Michael’s Hospital, Toronto as a world-class centre for cardiac surgery", as well as "his dedication to educating future medical leaders and providing care in underserved areas worldwide”. 

The Order of Canada is one of Canada’s highest honours, recognizing individuals who have made extraordinary contributions to the nation. Appointments are made by the Governor General on the recommendation of the Advisory Council for the Order of Canada. The Order’s motto is “DESIDERANTES MELIOREM PATRIAM”, which translates to “They desire a better country”. Dr. Errett's record of achievements and contributions demonstrate his fulfilment of this motto.

Dr. Errett was the Head of Cardiac Surgery at St. Michael’s Hospital for over 15 years. At the same time, he built a successful global surgery program which has now spanned 30 years and 34 countries. Over the past 15 years, he has concentrated his work in Jamaica and China. 

In Jamaica, he helped build three facilities including operating rooms in Falmouth, an eye clinic in Montego Bay and currently operating rooms in Savanna-la-Mar. He has lead 8 surgical missions with a variety of surgical specialties including general surgery, urology and orthopaedics. 

In China, Dr. Errett has visited 174 hospitals, establishing 11 training centres and creating partnerships between Chinese universities and U of T. Twice a year, he organizes groups of 30 surgeons and physicians who travel throughout China, sharing their expertise  where most needed. These contributions have been recognized with a number of awards, including the Friendship Award. Dr. Errett is  the Honorary Dean of the Bethune Modern Medical Research Institute in Changzhou University. 

Over the years, Dr. Errett has received honorary professorships at several universities and multiple other honours, including the Norman Bethune Award, the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal,  appointment to the Order of Ontario, and the Wifred G. Bigelow Professorship for Cardiac Surgery at U of T.​

With his friends and benefactors, he was instrumental in founding the Donnelly Centre for Cellular and Biomolecular Research (CCBR) at U of T. He also established the Terrence Donnelly Vascular Biology Laboratory and the Terrence Donnelly Cardiac Resident’s Research Day, which provides a unique opportunity for all cardiac surgical residents across Canada to present original research work and exchange ideas.

Please join me in warmly congratulating Dr. Errett on his new appointment to the Order of Canada, 2024.

Sincerely,

Carol Swallow
R.S. McLaughlin Professor and Chair
Department of Surgery, Temerty Faculty of Medicine
University of Toronto