News

Nanji Family Foundation donates $1 Million to expand Scarborough Hospital's Stroke Centre

Iqra

25 Jun 2025 • 2 min read

Pictured above, back row, left to right: Chris Tambakis, Co-Chair, Love, Scarborough Campaign; Alicia Vandermeer, President & CEO, SHN Foundation; Dr. Derek Smith, Chief of Neurology; Azim Nanji; Dr. Raza Noor, Medical Director, Nanji Foundation Stroke Clinic; Dr. Amir JanMohamed, Chief and Medical Director, Cardiology. Front row, left to right: Gulshan and Pyarali G. Nanji.

The Scarborough Health Network (SHN) has received a new $1 million gift from the Nanji Family Foundation to significantly expand the Nanji Foundation Stroke Centre of Excellence at Birchmount Hospital.

This transformative donation aims to increase the centre's capacity and upgrade essential equipment, ensuring more patients in the community receive timely and life-saving stroke care close to home.

This latest contribution marks another incredible milestone in the enduring partnership between the Nanji family and SHN.

The Nanji Foundation Stroke Centre of Excellence was established through a previous foundational gift from the family, and this new funding will further enhance its capabilities to serve one of Canada's most diverse and rapidly growing communities.

The impact of the Nanji family's generosity extends beyond this recent donation. For the second consecutive year, they have served as the Matching Sponsor for SHN ZOO DAY, a key fundraising event for the health network.

Their commitment to matching donations has inspired broader community giving, significantly multiplying the impact of the event and fostering a culture of philanthropy in Scarborough.

The Nanji Family Foundation's legacy of giving is a testament to their dedication to Canada, the country they adopted after arriving as refugees from Uganda.

Their philanthropic endeavors have touched numerous healthcare and educational institutions across the nation, reflecting a deep-seated commitment to giving back and strengthening communities.

"From Scarborough to communities across Canada, the Nanji Family Foundation’s legacy of giving is truly extraordinary," SHN expressed in a statement. "Thank you for believing in SHN, in our patients, and in a stronger future for all."

This latest act of generosity will play a crucial role in advancing stroke care in Scarborough, a critical health service for the region.

The expansion of the Stroke Centre of Excellence will help address the growing healthcare needs of the community and ensure that residents have access to state-of-the-art medical facilities.