HEROES MSH
“THE FAMILY MAKER” Dr. Mike Virro Obstetrician / gynaecologist and fertility specialist
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t the Markham Fertility Centre at MSH, Dr. Mike Virro runs one of the five largest fertility clinics in Canada. Helping patients get pregnant is his passion, even though he fell into it by happenstance. Back in 1987, his medical school curriculum required students be paired with a practicing doctor for mentorship. “It could have been a general practitioner, or any number of specialists… and who did Mike Virro get? He got a fertility specialist.” He was intrigued, and he dove right in. Dr. Virro has experienced exciting times in the field of fertility technology — over the past 25 years, success rates have grown from 10 to 15 per cent to about 65 per cent today. But Dr. Virro, ever focused on betterment says, “So we’ve got 35 per cent room for improvement, which is a lot.” The Markham Fertility Centre works within a specialized niche for patients who have experienced multiple in vitro fertilization failures. “So we’re the last stop when people have not succeeded elsewhere.” With the latest science and technologies backing them up, Dr. Virro’s team of three doctors — with a new one
joining this summer — works extremely hard to help wouldbe parents attain their dreams. Dr. Virro has helped many families and one of those fam ilies showed their gratitude by honouring him as an MSH Hero saying, “thank you for helping us build our family, and for the endless dedication and commit ment to ensure we had siblings for our son. Without Dr. Virro, we wouldn’t have three beautiful kids.” Looking back over his years at MSH, Dr. Virro estimates the centre has helped bring 11,000 babies into the world, however, he can’t help ponder the “what ifs.” He’s obviously thrilled about his successes, but states: “I would have loved to have helped the people who weren’t successful.” When asked about his accom plishments, he is somewhat reti cent. After some probing — he says: “What do I find rewarding? I can’t walk anywhere in the Greater Toronto Area without someone who has their kid (or kids) with them walking up to me and they say ‘thank you.’” If there is a special doctor, nurse, volunteer, hospital staff or the everyday hero who made a difference in your life, give a gift of gratitude at mshf.on.ca/msheroes
Healthy.Together. Spring/Summer 2019
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