On October 6, 2025, Joe Repovs joked in front of a group of his friends, Ajax Pickering Hospital’s surgical program leadership and orthopaedic surgeons, and Ajax Pickering Hospital Foundation Board members and staff that he probably asks too many questions when he talks with his surgeon about how he can give back to the hospital and support its orthopaedic program! Joe recounted that when he had his first orthopaedic surgery, he asked Dr. Fathi Abuzgaya what he could do with a gift of $10,000; Dr. Abuzgaya replied that he could buy some new tools that he used everyday, but with a donation of $50,000….!
Fast forward several decades, and the Foundation hosted an intimate event to celebrate the Repovs’ latest gift to the orthopaedic program of $1 million!
“Inga and I are so pleased that we have the resources to be able to support the Ajax Pickering Hospital with this size of a donation. As residents of Ajax for over 50 years, we have a long personal history with this hospital, from welcoming the birth of one of our children to undergoing different orthopaedic surgeries. The incredible skill that the surgeons possess makes them heroes in my books! And helping them realize new surgical procedures or introduce new advances in orthopaedic medicine means that our entire community benefits.”
On behalf of her colleagues, Dr. Meaghan Rollins (Lakeridge Health’s Chief of Orthopaedic Surgery), profusely thanked the Repovs for their investment in the program, and promised that they would be using the funds strategically to grow the program as well as to bring new innovations to their surgical procedures, which will ultimately benefit their patients.
“It is an absolute honour to create the ‘Joe & Inga Repovs Orthopaedic Fund'”, said Tracy Paterson, CEO of Ajax Pickering Hospital Foundation. “And we are excited to start working with our orthopaedic medical colleagues on how best to direct this transformational gift. Our orthopaedic program is already top-notch, and thanks to donors like Joe and Inga, the surgeons will continue to be ‘A Cut Above’, providing the best care, implementing the most ground-breaking practices and using the most cutting-edge technology and equipment, right here in the Region of Durham.”
In recognition of this leading gift, the Ajax Pickering Hospital Foundation has installed a plaque in the waiting room of the Fracture Clinic that reads:
In recognition of
Joe & Inga Repovs
and their generous support of the Orthopaedic program at Ajax Pickering Hospital.
Movement is essential to life. From high-performing athletes to seniors playing with their grandchildren, workplace injuries to broken bones, orthopaedic issues, pain and discomfort can tremendously impact your world of life, work and play. Everyone is unique, but the Orthopaedic team at Ajax Pickering Hospital work hard everyday to provide patient-centred and innovative care so that their patients are able to return to work sooner, get back to life’s regular activities without worry and resume their physical pursuits with gusto.
