When long-time philanthropist and Waterloo grad Toby Jenkins addressed graduands at spring convocation, she challenged them to “make an impact, no matter what you do.” Jenkins, who received an honorary doctorate at the Applied Health Sciences ceremony in June, has certainly made an impact of her own over the years. She and her husband, Tom, have made generous contributions to the University, and she is known as an urban planning student who moved into finance, started Waterloo’s first venture capital fund for new businesses supporting local innovation, then became an avid supporter of research into applied health.
Jenkins built and operated a professional-services building in the Research and Technology Park in 2006, then gifted it to the University in 2012, giving the Faculty much-needed space for growing research centres. One of these is the Centre for Community, Clinical and Applied Research Excellence (CCCARE), which integrates research and community programs to develop innovative health interventions.
“When I walked across this stage as a graduate, I had no idea where life would lead me,” Jenkins said in her speech to this year’s graduating class. “I’ve lived a life filled with twists and turns, ups and downs, and the unexpected, over and over again. Along the way, I became passionate about health care and health delivery systems.”
Toby Jenkins, far right, with her family
She added, “I’m impressed you have chosen to solve problems associated with the health of our communities. We really need your help. You have a unique window into the challenges faced by individuals, by organizations, and by delivery networks.
“You have dedication that’s needed to improve health outcomes. You have access to data and information and technology like no other generation. You have the ability to innovate like no other generation, so I challenge you to make something better – better for the patient, better for the service provider, better for the tax payer, better for the community.”
