His life as an immigrant started when he was two years old and landed in Halifax, Nova Scotia. His family had left Italy with ideas of returning, but never did. He was raised as a Canadian, adopted Canadian values and grew up loving hockey. He never thought he would leave. In time, he trained in medicine in Montreal, moved to Toronto and went on to become a children’s surgeon with a special interest in pediatric liver disorders.

In the early 90’s, Children’s Memorial Hospital was looking for a pediatric surgeon to start a liver transplant program for children. Pediatric surgeons with an interest in transplantation were and still are a scarce commodity, so the hospital came knocking at his door. Even though Dr. Superina had never thought of leaving his position at the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto where he directed the liver transplant program, the temptation to come to the United States was too much.

The United States was familiar territory for him as America was a constant source of fascination, admiration and trepidation for Canadians. He vacationed here, watched American television and movies and worried about the impact of American culture on the Canadian way of life. In many ways, the Canadian identity is wrapped up in trying to define how Canadiens differ from our their cousins who always seem faster, stronger and smarter.

However, coming to the United States has taken more adjustment than he had anticipated. Despite the obvious similarities between Canadians and Americans, the differences are significant and extend far beyond a shared passion for hockey and a different, some would say better, health care system.

Yet despite the differences, his wife, Lori, and their children, Daniel and Laura, and Dr. Superina have learned to deeply appreciate all that they have been extended by their new country. Americans in general are among the most generous and open minded people in the world. The great quality of America is its ability to assimilate and incorporate the very best qualities of all the cultures that come here and blend them into the American way of life.

Additional Resources: Riccardo's  Video Remarks