Perry Family Chair to Advance the Future of Health Care Innovation in Durham Region
Inaugural appointment marks a milestone for research, innovation and philanthropy at Lakeridge Health
OSHAWA, ON, [November, 3, 2026] – On October 30, 2026, Lakeridge Health, Lakeridge Health Foundation and Ontario Tech University were proud to announce the appointment of Dr. Mehran Ebrahimi as the inaugural holder of the Perry Family Chair in Advanced Technology and Quality Systems. This is a groundbreaking role that will help accelerate research and innovation aimed at improving patient care, health care quality and health system performance through the use of artificial intelligence, advanced analytics and emerging technologies.
Made possible through the generosity of the Perry family, the Chair will help bring leading-edge research and innovation to Durham Region, supporting new discoveries and solutions that improve the care experience for patients and families today while helping shape the future of health care.
The appointment represents a significant milestone for health care innovation in Durham Region. The Perry Family Chair is the second research chair established at Lakeridge Health and the first made possible through philanthropic support through Lakeridge Health Foundation. Supported through a five-year commitment of $135,000 annually, the Chair will foster research, collaboration and discovery that improve patient experiences, healthcare quality and the future of care.
This investment reflects the Perry family's belief that Durham Region residents deserve access to world-class health care innovation close to home. Their generosity is helping create a lasting legacy of research, discovery and collaboration that will benefit patients and families for generations to come.
As the inaugural holder of the Perry Family Chair in Advanced Technology and Quality Systems, Dr. Mehran Ebrahimi will support the Chair's mandate to advance research and education in artificial intelligence, machine learning, big data analytics and quality systems, with the goal of improving patient experiences, health care quality and innovation.
Quote – Dr. Mehran Ebrahimi
"Through our partnership with Lakeridge Health, we have an opportunity to bring Ontario Tech’s expertise in AI research closer to patient care, working alongside hospital teams to develop tools that address real health care needs. With the Perry family’s generous support, our goal is to translate advances in AI responsibly into practical solutions that support clinical decision-making and improve outcomes for patients in our community."
Quote – Cynthia Davis, President and CEO, Lakeridge Health
“The Perry Family Chair represents a significant step forward in our ambition to make Lakeridge Health a leader in research, education and innovation. Our 2026–2031 Strategic Plan reflects our commitment to harnessing new technologies and advancing research to find better ways to deliver care. Through the generosity of the Perry family and our partnership with Ontario Tech University, we're turning these priorities into action, building the expertise and partnerships to translate discoveries into better care for patients and families across Durham Region and bring our vision of One System. Best Health., to life."
Quote – Dr. Randy Wax, Chief of Staff, Lakeridge Health
“Quality care is at the heart of everything we do, and we recognized an opportunity to strengthen how research, advanced technology and quality improvement come together to address challenges across our health system. The Perry Family Chair gives us dedicated academic expertise to work alongside our clinical and research teams, explore new approaches and evaluate their impact in real health-care settings. Dr. Ebrahimi brings an exciting vision for translating complex clinical and health-system challenges into research opportunities that can lead to stronger research capacity and better outcomes for patients.”
Quote – Dr. Ilan Lenga, Chief Information Officer and Regional Chief Medical Information Officer
“Our Partnership for Advanced Technology in Health Care (PATH) with Ontario Tech University was built on a shared commitment to connecting academic expertise with real-world health-care challenges. We're already seeing that partnership translate into action. The Perry Family Chair builds on this momentum, bringing additional expertise and opportunities for collaboration that will help accelerate research and translate promising ideas into meaningful improvements in patient care.”
Quote – Yves Gadler, CEO, Lakeridge Health Foundation
“The Perry Family Chair is a powerful example of how philanthropy can help shape the future of health care. Through their leadership, vision and generosity, the Perry family has created opportunities for research, innovation and discovery that will benefit patients and families across Durham Region. Their support demonstrates the transformative impact philanthropy can have in advancing research, attracting exceptional talent and fostering innovation that improves patient care. We are proud to celebrate this milestone as the first research chair made possible by philanthropic support through Lakeridge Health Foundation. This remarkable legacy will help benefit our community for generations to come.”
Quote – Dr. Les Jacobs, Vice-President, Research and Innovation, Ontario Tech University
"Ontario Tech University is thrilled to be enhancing our partnership with Lakeridge Health through the new Perry Family Chair. This Chair is a wonderful collaborative vehicle for translating cutting-edge research at Ontario Tech into tangible tech tools to strengthen health care provision at Lakeridge Health."
Quote – Janis Perry
"Steve believed in giving back to the community that had given so much to our family. We will always be grateful for the care and compassion we’ve received at Lakeridge Health. Seeing his gift continue to support better care close to home means a great deal to me and our entire family. I am so proud of the compassionate and generous man he was."
The Chair builds upon the longstanding partnership between Lakeridge Health and Ontario Tech University, creating new opportunities to bridge academic research and clinical practice. By connecting researchers, clinicians and health system leaders, the partnership will help turn innovative ideas into practical solutions that enhance care for patients and families.
For Lakeridge Health Foundation, the appointment demonstrates the powerful role philanthropy can play in shaping the future of health care. Donor support is helping bring exceptional talent, groundbreaking research and innovative thinking to Durham Region, creating benefits that will be felt by patients and families for years to come.
The Perry Family Chair reflects a shared commitment to advancing research, innovation and patient care in Durham Region, helping bring new ideas, discoveries and solutions closer to the patients and families who rely on Lakeridge Health.
About Lakeridge Health Foundation
Lakeridge Health Foundation raises funds and builds awareness to support Lakeridge Health’s regional priorities and advance health care across Durham Region. Through our fundraising activities and the generosity of donors, volunteers, sponsors, and community partners, funds are invested and transferred to Lakeridge Health and related hospital foundations to support capital equipment and projects, research, education, specialized programs, and other health care priorities that strengthen our health system and help realize Lakeridge Health’s vision of One System. Best Health.
As part of our regional role, Lakeridge Health Foundation has committed $5 million over five years to support regional priorities that strengthen care across the Lakeridge Health network. Beginning in 2026, up to 10% of donations will help fulfill this commitment while continuing to fund the highest-priority needs at Oshawa and Whitby Hospitals. Our first regional investment of $1 million will support the redevelopment of Lakeridge Health Bowmanville Hospital, helping expand access to exceptional care for communities across Durham Region.
Together, we are helping shape the future of health care for more than 750,000 residents across Durham Region.
About Lakeridge Health
Lakeridge Health is one of Ontario’s largest community health systems, serving Durham Region and beyond through five hospitals, a same-day surgical centre, a long-term care home and more than 30 community locations. Guided by its vision, One System. Best Health., Lakeridge Health provides a broad range of acute, ambulatory, community and specialized services, while advancing education, research and partnerships that connect care across the region. Learn more at lh.ca.
About Ontario Tech University
Ontario Tech University is Canada’s STEM-focused university, advancing technology and innovation to improve lives, strengthen communities and build a better future. Through hands-on learning, research and industry partnerships, the university prepares future-ready graduates with the skills and expertise to succeed in a changing world. With strengths in artificial intelligence, energy and emerging technologies, Ontario Tech works with partners to tackle real-world challenges and drive economic and social progress. Guided by a commitment to ethical, sustainable and human-centred innovation, Ontario Tech is shaping the future through Tech with a Conscience. Learn more at ontariotechu.ca.