Will Tishinski, a 92-year-old from Manitoba, has provided a record-breaking $531,000 donation to the Victoria Hospital Foundation in Winnipeg. This gift, made in memory of his late wife Mavis, establishes him as the institution's largest cumulative donor to date.
The $531,000 upgrade to the Mavis Tishinski Surgical Suite
The recent donation will fund significant upgrades to a minimally invasive surgical suite at Victoria Hospital. in recognition of the contribution, the facility has been officially renamed the Mavis Tishinski Surgical Suite. As reported by the source, Mavis Tishinski was a nurse at the hospital for three decades and was among the first staff members trained in laparoscopic surgery.
Victoria Hospital Foundation CEO Jessica Miller described the contribution as "transformational" for the hospital's capabilities. The funding arrives at a time when the foundation is making the renovation of surgical suites a primary fundraising priority to keep pace with medical advancements.
A $1 million legacy spanning 67 years of marriage
The Tishinski family's philanthropic impact extends far beyond this single gift. According to the report, the couple's cumulative giving to the Victoria Hospital Foundation has now surpassed the $1 million mark. Their previous charitable efforts supported the 2023 opening of the Tranquility Trail, an outdoor space for mental health patients,as well as a sensory lounge designed for patients living with dementia.
This level of sustained, high-value philanthropy is rare for the institution.. The Tishinskis' history of giving reflects a lifelong connection to the hospital, which began when the couple met on a hospital ward in 1956. They remained married for 67 and a half years until Mavis passed away in April at the age of 88.
From a 1956 hospital ward to a Manitoba Hydro vice-presidency
Will Tishinski’s personal history is deeply intertwined with the Winnipeg medical community. When he first met Mavis, he was a fourth-year engineering student at the University of Manitoba facing a difficult period of exams and professional uncertainty. Following his studies, he built a long career at Manitoba Hydro, eventually retiring from the position of vice-president .
The couple's journey from rural roots—Will from Roblin, Manitoba, and Mavis from Gainsborough, Saskatchewan—to a life in Winnipeg was defined by their partnership. Tishinski noted that their shared experience of moving to a large city helped cement their bond, descriibing Mavis as a "perfect nurse" and a "perfect wife."
Which specific suites will follow the Mavis Tishinski Surgical Suite?
While the foundation has signaled a clear intent to modernize more hospital facilities, several details remain unconfirmed. The report notes that the foundation hopes to renovate more surgical suites in the coming years, but it does not specify which departments or suites are next on the priority list. Additionally, the source does not clarify how the $531,000 will be partitioned between immediate equipment upgrades and long-term facility maintenance.
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