At our Celebration of Excellence 2025, we celebrated those who have provided many years of service to LMP, as well as those who retired this year. We thank them for their dedication and for everything they have contributed to LMP’s academic mission.
Dr. Avrum Gotlieb, Professor, is a renowned cardiovascular pathologist and founding Chair of the Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology at the University of Toronto. His pioneering research in atherosclerosis and heart valve disease, his teaching, and his service have earned him numerous accolades: Distinguished Achievement Award, Society for Cardiovascular Pathology (2012); the J.B. Walter Award as Founding Program Director for LMP’s Master of Health Science in Laboratory Medicine Program (2023); and the Distinguished Service Award, Association of Pathology Chairs (2013). For over 47 years, Dr. Gotlieb's dedication to education and mentorship has shaped the careers of many in the field of pathology at the University of Toronto.
Marc Grynpas
Dr. Marc Grynpas, Professor, was a Senior Scientist at the Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute and has held an appointment in the Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology for 42 years. His research focused on the nature of bone mineral, animal models of osteoporosis and osteoarthritis, the effects of drugs and trace elements on bone quality and the determinants of bone fragility and bone fatigue. The research he conducted on the structure and chemistry of bone has significantly advanced our understanding of osteoporosis and osteoarthritis. He has authored over 260 publications and holds five patents, continuing to share his expertise through select collaborations and mentorship.
Janice Lage
Dr. Janice Lage, Professor Emerita, was appointed as a Staff Pathologist at St. Michael’s Hospital, Unity Health Toronto and has been appointed in LMP since 2019. Dr. Lage has had a distinguished career and is internationally recognized for her work in gynecological pathology, particularly in placental and perinatal pathology. She has received numerous awards and recognitions including being listed in America’s Top Doctors for Cancer guide (2005-2017). She contributed to teaching of LMP’s pathology residents during their rotation at St. Michael’s Hospital where her mentorship was greatly appreciated.
Michal Opas
Dr. Michal Opas, Professor Emeritus, has been appointed for over 40 years in the Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology at the University of Toronto. His field of expertise is in cell motility and adhesion, cytoskeleton and cell differentiation. His work on calreticulin and its role in cell differentiation has provided valuable insights into stem cell biology and tissue engineering. Dr. Opas has shared his expertise through his mentorship of numerous students and researchers. He remains engaged in collaborative research and mentorship, drawing on over four decades of expertise in cell biology and cardiovascular science.
Bayardo Perez-Ordonez
Dr. Bayardo Perez-Ordonez, Associate Professor, was appointed as Staff Pathologist and Consultant in Head and Neck Pathology at University Health Network. His research interests included human papillomavirus (HPV) and squamous cell carcinoma, which led to significant advancements in cancer diagnostics and treatment. Since his appointment 25 years ago in the Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, Dr. Perez-Ordonez has been highly regarded for his contributions to pathology education and research.
Margaret Rand
Dr. Margaret Rand, Professor Emerita (Status-Only), held a Scientific Associate Staff appointment at the Hospital for Sick Children. She held faculty appointments at the University of Toronto since 1986, moving to the Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology in 2001. Dr. Rand’s research focus has been on blood platelet function and dysfunction, which has resulted in a total of 136 peer-reviewed publications and 28 book chapters. In 2019, she was awarded the Victor S. Blanchette Award for Excellence in Pediatric Hemostasis from the Canadian Pediatric Thrombosis and Hemostasis Network in recognition of her contributions to the field.
Simon Raphael
Dr. Simon Raphael, Associate Professor Emeritus, was Chief Pathologist and Director of Laboratories at North York General Hospital. He specialized in gastrointestinal pathology and his research focus was on inflammatory bowel disease and colorectal cancer. Dr. Raphael held an appointment in the Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology for the last 24 years, during which time he was the Program Director of the Anatomical Pathology Residency Training Program (2008-13). He was recognized for his leadership and exceptional contributions to resident well-being, social advocacy and mentorship with the Sarita Verma Award by the Temerty Faculty of Medicine (2013).
Robert Riddel
Dr. Robert Riddell, Professor Emeritus, has served in the Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology for over 23 years. As a Gastrointestinal (GI) Pathologist, and previously Head of Immunopathology at Mount Sinai Hospital, his research focus was primarily in inflammatory diseases, dysplasia, and carcinoma throughout the GI tract, particularly Barrett’s esophagus. Dr. Riddell was lead author on the 1983 paper defining and grading dysplasia in inflammatory bowel disease. His contributions were recognized with the Distinguished Service Award from University of Toronto (2015) and the Harvey Goldman Lifetime Achievement Award by The Rodger C. Haggitt Gastrointestinal Pathology Society (2017).
(Left to right) Gino Somers, Michelle Bendeck, Rita Kandel, David Hwang and Ravinder Dhillon
(Left to right) Marc Grynpas, Avrum Gotlieb, Rita Kandel and Bayardo Perez-Ordonez
