Recognizing and Celebrating Medical Science Research and Innovation – an Italian Canadian star

Joe Volpe October 30, 2026

TORONTO – It is the Italian way: combining Art, Innovation and Application in Science. Wednesday evening, those elements came together for a significant modern expression of that manifestation at the headquarters of the Italian Canadian Savings on Dundas St. West in Etobicoke.

Fausto Gaudio, its President and CEO, backed by the entire Board of Directors led by Chair John DaRe, hosted an evening with Dr. Gianluigi Bisleri. He is a renowned “cardiac surgeon, innovator-entrepreneur at Saint Michael’s Hospital, at Unity Health Toronto” … and in demand. Co-incidentally, the Master of Ceremonies, Susana Petti, ad SMH Foundation, Jennifer Lo, had to apologize for his tardiness because he was performing a life-saving operation whose emergency presented itself in the late afternoon.

Performers and urgent care specialists respond to the priorities presented by the need for their input, said Fausto Gaudio, 26-year veteran as leader of ICS Credit Union and Savings, quasi- apologetically; accolades can wait.

And so it is, Dr. Bisleri, once assured of the surgery’s success, made his way across town to be with the admirers of his growing, merited celebrity status. Dr. Bisleri is the heir to the research launched by inventor inventor-genius Leonardo da Vinci who 500 years ago produced “definitive mechanical and anatomical drawings of the human heart, a sophisticated vital organ/muscle uniquely designed to pump life-giving oxygenated blood to the body”, said Susana Petti.

Dr Bisleri’s genius was to develop surgical practices utilizing robotics and mechanized surgical devices to reduce the surgically invasive nature previously common to a complex life-saving procedure. The technology used is aptly enough, the da Vinci.

Read Dr Bisleri’s presentation here: IC_Savings_Speech (and his biography here: Dr. Gianluigi_Bisleri).

IC Savings, whose contributions to robotics in hospital care dates to the earliest days of the Humber River Hospital after it transferred itself to its current location by Keele and the 401, wanted to acknowledge the Doctor’s contributions to life-saving procedures with a $100,000.00 contribution to the Foundation investing in his innovative procedures. No pomp, less ceremony, “just the facts” approach to the concept of Giving back as responsible corporate citizens.

Dr. Bisleri responded in kind but gushed over his appreciation at the not insignificant donation from an organization which is now including more Canadians of Portuguese background. Among its corporate infrastructure. He is a person who has not forgotten his roots and delighted in sharing that he has special fondness for the Corriere Canadese, expressing his respect for our journalism and admitting a great love of contemporary music.

For our part, we appreciate ICS’ support for the classic Renaissance Man that still emerges from our community.

Below, the presentation of the cheque to Dr. Gianluigi Bisleri by IC Savings, followed by a photo gallery from the event (photos: Corriere Canadese)

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