Dr. Dhun Noria’s inspiring journey as a leader devoted to giving back
As a new bride, with just $8 in her pocket and dreams of a brighter future, Dr. Dhun Noria and her husband Farokh embarked on a journey from India to Canada that would see her become a pivotal figure in healthcare.
Today, as the Chief of Laboratory Medicine at Scarborough Health Network (SHN), Dr. Noria’s narrative is not only one of professional distinction and philanthropy but also of personal courage and resilience.
Dr. Noria has been an integral part of SHN since its inception. She was a founding physician of Birchmount Hospital when it was built in 1984. She was instrumental in establishing the lab department and its ongoing success through her dedicated work, expertise, and financial contributions.
“It’s important to give back to SHN because we serve one of the most disenfranchised communities in Canada. We need to rally together to support the community we work and live in,” she says.
Her philanthropy and leadership have been pivotal in elevating SHN to a leading position in healthcare. Over the course of more than three decades, Dr. Noria, and her husband Farokh, have contributed over $1 million to the SHN Foundation.
Under her guidance, the SHN lab has grown to employ over 200 staff members, conducting four million tests annually for approximately 250,000 patients.
Dr. Noria also played a key role in creating the Shared Hospital Lab in 1996, a partnership between SHN, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Michael Garron and North York General Hospital to provide high-quality microbiology lab services. The lab became a critical asset during the COVID-19 pandemic, performing an impressive 10 percent of Ontario’s PCR testing.
Beyond her professional accolades, Dr. Noria’s journey through breast cancer adds a deeply personal chapter to her story of giving and resilience. A two-time breast cancer survivor, her experience with the disease has only amplified her dedication to healthcare and philanthropy.
“I have had seven surgeries, chemotherapy, radiation, you name it. But I knew it would work because I’m very positive,” she says. “And I still have a lot to give, to myself, to my family, to my hospital, and to my community.”
Dr. Noria’s dedication to giving is deeply intertwined with her gratitude for Canada, which she praises as one of the best countries in the world for living, working, and raising a family. Her journey of giving started with blood donations when financial means were limited and extended to encouraging her children and SHN colleagues to give back to the community.
Dr. Noria plays a pivotal role in the SHN Physician’s Campaign, which is aiming to raise $2 million in 2024. Dr. Noria believes in the power of example to foster a broader culture of giving.
“When the community sees physicians contributing, it inspires more generosity,” she explains. “Not only are we dedicating our lives and our careers to patient care but are also donating financially – it’s an important message.”
Beyond SHN, Dr. Noria devoted more than ten years as a member of the boards for both the University Health Network and Toronto Police Services. Her ongoing commitment to community betterment has garnered widespread acclaim. She has been recognized with prestigious accolades, including the Order of Ontario and medals for Queen Elizabeth’s Diamond and Platinum Jubilees. She’s also been honoured with a star on the Scarborough Walk of Fame, the Ontario Medical Association’s Presidential Medal, and the Canada-India Business Council’s Professional and Business Woman of the Year award.
(Source: Scarborough Health Network Foundation)