Celebrating science and spirit

The 2025 Tribute Dinner was a vibrant celebration of curiosity, community spirit and the power of pushing boundaries. 

Nearly 1,000 guests gathered at RBC Place London on October 9 to hear from Timothy Caulfield, a health law expert, Canadian bestselling author and science communicator. The evening also had the honour of paying tribute to the generosity of Ann and Bill Fleming and celebrating the groundbreaking work of Lawson Research Institute.

Caulfield, known for cutting through misinformation and championing scientific consensus, presented a message perfectly aligned with the mission of Lawson: challenge assumptions, pursue truth and use science to make life better. It’s a shared commitment that connects scientists, caregivers and donors alike – working together to transform health care for the better. 

Generosity and volunteerism across decades

For Ann and Bill Fleming, supporting health care is one of the most important ways to give back to their community. With a decades-long history of thoughtful philanthropy, the Flemings have supported countless care and research initiatives across St. Joseph’s and throughout London.

As Roy Butler, President & CEO of St. Joseph’s Health Care London, noted during the event, “Ann and Bill have contributed to St. Joseph’s in countless ways. Their generosity is part of the fabric of who they are and is provided quietly and with humility.”

Ann and Bill took the stage to accept the honour and shared how proud they are to support the work happening at St. Joseph’s. 

“We are here to celebrate the research and the researchers who grace the labs of this stellar organization,” Bill told the audience. “We have every confidence in them and their talents that have been life-changing for people across the world.”

Shining a light on Lawson

During the evening, special guest speaker and host of Morning Live on CBC News Network, Heather Hiscox spoke about the exciting innovations in health research happening at Lawson. 

“Much of the research that is so critical to the frontline of care at St. Joseph’s is powered through donor support – which is what we also celebrate tonight,” Hiscox said. “In fact, it is that long history of donor support for research at Lawson Research Institute that has fueled innovation and discovery for decades at St. Joseph’s.”

From mental health and mobility innovations to molecular imaging breakthroughs, Lawson continues to push the boundaries of what’s possible – a perfect match for Caulfield’s passion for science and truth.

Driving the way forward

When Timothy Caulfield took the stage, he challenged the audience to fight the spread of misinformation – not just in medicine, but in everyday life.

He discussed the rise of pseudoscience and health myths, and the importance of building trust between the public and the medical community. 

“The people in this room are supporting the research, the science and the clinical work that really matters,” Caulfield shared. “Those contributions mean more today than ever before.”

Drawing on decades of research, pop culture and his own real world examples and experiences, Caulfield struck a balance between humour and urgency, leaving the audience inspired to become more thoughtful consumers of health information – and more passionate advocates for evidence-based care.

A night of impact

The evening wrapped up with a 50/50 raffle, where every ticket directly supported the highest priority needs at St. Joseph’s. These funds will help meet the organization’s most urgent needs across teaching, care and research.

Thank you to all of the sponsors, guests, volunteers and speakers who made the 2025 Tribute Dinner an evening to remember and to inspire. 

The winning ticket number for the raffle is C-4260.