Val Cabral, Research Program Manager at the Department of Surgery, retires after more than 25 years of service
The Department of Surgery team gathered for lunch on November 3rd to bid farewell to a long-standing, very influential member of the Department, Val Cabral, the Department’s Research Program Manager, who retired after being a member of the U of T Department of Surgery team for more than 25 years.
Val was the “go-to person” for all research-related matters at the Department of Surgery. She managed and supported the research initiatives of the Department of Surgery and played an instrumental role in research program coordination, including organizing research events and workshops, and overseeing reports and data management.
Many community members saw Val as “the face” of the Surgeon Scientist Training Program (SSTP). Her colleagues considered her to be “like a mother to the trainees” as she consistently cared for them and for the program with utmost attention and dedication.
SSTP trainees knew that they could always come to her and that she would always be more than willing to help. The SSTP is one of the main jewels of the Department, and in many ways, the program pursued and succeeded due to Val’s dedication and commitment.
Another main achievement of Val’s was Gallie Day. She worked incredibly hard to ensure that the day was a success- year after year- putting together the judges’ committees and the poster presentations, and working for months in advance to make sure the event ran smoothly.
Best of luck, Val, and thank you for all your remarkable work and dedication throughout the years. On behalf of the U of T Department of Surgery team, we wish you a long, happy and healthy retirement.
Please join us in welcoming Renata Musa, who will be joining the Department of Surgery team on December 5 as the Program Coordinator for Research Initiatives, replacing Val. Renata can be reached via email at renata.musa@utoronto.ca.