Founding Partners
In May 2008 a proposal was submitted to the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long Term Care by The Princess Margaret Hospital Foundation (PMHF) in partnership with Cancer Care Ontario (CCO) and University Health Network (UHN). The proposal was submitted in an effort to create an oncology nursing knowledge translation centre and build capacity across the province.
With proceeds from the 2008 Brazillian Carnival Ball already going to nursing education at Princess Margaret Hospital in Toronto, Ivan de Souza - husband of the late philanthropist Anna Maria de Souza - saw an opportunity to build on this support and bring specialized oncology education to all Ontario nurses. UHN, PMHF and CCO offered to oversee the creation of the new learning centre and provide infrastructure and resources.
The proposal was approved by the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care in June 2008 and the de Souza Institute was created. The Institute relies on the guidance and support of its founding partners to deliver innovative continuing education, mentorship and fellowship programs to nurses across the province.