Left to Right: Stephen Sorensen, Elizabeth Sorensen, Sean Thompson (Kin Club of Gananoque), John Hodges (Kin Club of Gananoque), Ryan Kingston (Peter Kingston's grandson), Emily Jackson (KidsInlclusive), Tabitha Lawson (KidsInclusive) and Emma Fitzgerald.
Five exceptional individuals and groups whose passion and commitment have helped transform health care in Kingston and southeastern Ontario are being honoured with volunteer awards from University Hospitals Kingston Foundation (UHKF).
Here is a look at the 2025 UHKF Volunteer Award honorees:
Stephen Sorensen: Davies Award for Philanthropic Leadership (Individual)
Stephen Sorensen’s philanthropy is transforming patient care across the region. Stephen has championed the campaign for a second MRI machine at Breast Imaging Kingston. He also made a landmark gift to secure Kingston’s first portable MRI for KHSC’s Intensive Care Unit, offering rapid, bedside imaging for critically ill patients. He also made significant contributions to fund a second Interventional Radiology (IVR) suite at KHSC and HeartFlow (an artificial intelligence platform that quickly assesses anatomy and physiology of coronary artery disease from cardiac CT scans). Stephen’s visionary support is elevating health care in Kingston to new heights.
Kids Inclusive Run/Walk/Roll: Davies Award for Philanthropic Leadership (Community Group)
For nearly 30 years, the Kids Inclusive Run/Walk/Roll has raised funds to support children with special needs and their families. The event has amassed over $460,000 to date, funding essential equipment, specialized programs, and family supports. In 2023, the event returned in-person following two virtual years, raising a record $58,000. The Kids Inclusive Run/Walk/Roll continues to make a tangible difference for families facing extraordinary challenges.
Kin Club of Gananoque: Davies Award for Philanthropic Leadership (Organization)
For more than 30 years, the Kin Club of Gananoque has demonstrated steadfast support for Kingston Health Sciences Centre (KHSC) and Providence Care. Despite being a service club rooted in Gananoque, the group recognizes the crucial role these facilities play for the entire region. The club’s generosity is highlighted by two major leadership gifts made in the past three years. In 2022, they contributed $50,000 to KHSC’s redevelopment campaign, followed by another significant donation in 2023 to support urgent hospital priorities. Their dedication ensures that communities benefiting from KHSC’s specialized care also have a hand in strengthening it.
Emma Fitzgerald: Sister Dorothy Fournier Award for Volunteerism
Emma Fitzgerald is a passionate advocate for health-care philanthropy and an inspiring leader of Kingston’s next generation of changemakers. Since 2019, she has served as Chair of the YGK Healthcare Champions, fostering a culture of giving among young professionals. Emma actively contributes through fundraising, public speaking and professional development initiatives, including hosting a financial planning webinar for intentional charitable giving. Her ability to connect people with a cause and inspire meaningful involvement has made a lasting impact on health care philanthropy in Kingston.
Peter Kingston: Ian Wilson Award for Volunteerism
Peter’s decade-long commitment to end-of-life care advocacy has helped bring Kingston’s new hospice residence to life. As chair of the Hospice Kingston campaign cabinet since 2014, Peter led a dedicated team of volunteers in raising over $16 million. His passionate storytelling, tireless fundraising efforts and personal philanthropy culminated in the opening of Providence Care’s Hospice AB Smith Homestead House in March 2025, providing compassionate, residential hospice care for the community.
“These remarkable volunteers and philanthropists embody the spirit of community that defines our community,” says UHKF President and CEO Tom Zsolnay. “Their contributions are not only improving care today but are helping to shape a healthier, stronger future for everyone in southeastern Ontario.”