A little kindness goes a long way, but Paula Goering – who dedicated her life to improving the lives of others, before passing away of cancer in May – went beyond the call of duty.
After obtaining her PhD from U of T’s Institute of Medical Science in 1985, Goering became a psychiatry professor at the university, where she was known to lead daunting large-scale projects. Her life’s work culminated in a five-city study that showed the “Housing First” model – where people grappling with homelessness and mental illness are provided with a place to live, along with preventive care – to be an effective long-term approach. “Paula was always bold and fearless in her commitment to helping those in need,” says Donald Wasylenki, former chair of psychiatry at U of T.
Throughout her career in mental-health-services research, Goering extended kindness to everyone, from befriending the people she worked with (many of whom struggled with mental illness) to organizing celebrations. “She’d bake a chocolate angel food cake – my favourite kind – for my birthday every year,” says Wasylenki. “She believed in making a difference in the world, no matter how small.”
Farah Mawani, a PhD candidate in public health sciences, had assumed that Goering would step down as her co-adviser. “She said, ‘No, I want to see you through to the end,’” Mawani recalls. “I was not able to complete my PhD in time, but I will carry her kindness, generosity and belief in me forever.”
Recent Posts
U of T’s 197th Birthday Quiz
Test your knowledge of all things U of T in honour of the university’s 197th anniversary on March 15!
Are Cold Plunges Good for You?
Research suggests they are, in three ways
Work Has Changed. So Have the Qualities of Good Leadership
Rapid shifts in everything from technology to employee expectations are pressuring leaders to constantly adapt