In this episode of Living Transplant, we sit down with Dr. Susy Hota, an infectious diseases physician and medical director of Infection Prevention and Control at UHN. Dr. Hota takes us inside the world of C. difficile infections and the remarkable, life-changing treatment known as fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT).

From her early fascination with microbiology to leading pandemic preparedness at one of Canada’s largest hospitals, Dr. Hota shares her journey, insights from the frontlines of COVID-19, and how collaboration and relationships underpin every breakthrough in healthcare.

We then explore the gut microbiome — the “hidden organ” inside us — and how FMT offers new hope for patients living with recurrent C. diff. Dr. Hota also demystifies the donor process, potential risks, and the exciting future of microbiome research that could transform how we treat everything from gut disorders to mental health.

• Hope and healing: Even for those with chronic or recurrent infections, there are innovative treatments that can restore quality of life.
• Relationships matter: Whether in outbreak response or research, collaboration is key to success in healthcare.
• Your gut is an ecosystem: FMT is changing how we think about disease — focusing on restoring balance, not just killing bacteria.
• The future is bright: As microbiome science advances, new possibilities are emerging for treating conditions far beyond infection.

About our Guest

Dr. Susy Hota is the Division Head of Infectious Diseases at UHN and Sinai Health and the Medical Director of Infection Prevention and Control at UHN. She has been a leader in pandemic preparedness, infection control, and innovative treatments such as fecal microbiota transplantation. Her work bridges clinical care, research, and systems-level leadership to improve safety and health outcomes for patients across Canada.

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Learn more about Dr. Hota’s research and fecal transplantation

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Each episode, we share patient stories about organ donation from transplant recipients and living donors, along with insights and education from leading medical experts. Whether you’re a patient, a caregiver, a donor, or simply curious about the world of organ transplantation, you’ll hear expert advice and inspiring journeys of hope, resilience, and second chances.

About our Host

Candice Coghlan is the Education & Outreach Coordinator at the Centre for Living Organ Donation at the UHN Ajmera Transplant Centre. She is also a board member for the National Kidney Foundation and a kidney transplant recipient. After she was diagnosed with kidney failure in her early 20s, she was on dialysis until receiving a transplant from her mother.

Have questions? Comments? Ideas for an episode? Please reach out to the Centre for Living Organ Donation at [email protected]. Thanks for spending your time with us.

The views and opinions expressed in this episode do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Toronto General or University Health Network.