Dr. Veli Ylänkö, who graduated in medicine from the University of Turku, 1957, prior to immigrating to Canada from Helsinki, 1972, was Assistant Professor, Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of Toronto, before he retired, 1995. A private practitioner since 1987, Dr. Ylänkö, , President, Toronto Finnish Seniors’ Centre, 1982-92, is active today in both Finland and Canada with Medical and Community Associations. Deputy Speaker of the worldwide Finnish Expatriate Parliament, Dr. Ylänkö, was honoured, 1992, with Canada's Commemorative Medal celebrating the 125th Anniversary of Confederation. Recognized by the Finnish Red Cross with the Medal of Merit, Dr. Ylänkö, as viewed here, 1993, was made, for his many years of volunteer services to Finnish people worldwide, Knight, First Class, Order of the White Rose of Finland, by Finnish President Mauno Koivisto. [Photo, courtesy Dr. Veli Ylänkö]

In 1972, Anneli Ylänkö, right, with her husband, came to Canada from Finland as a teacher, becoming Principal of the Toronto Finnish Language School in 1975. Founding President of the Finnish Language Teachers’ Association of Canada since 1984, her Teacher’s Handbook, supported by the Department of Multiculturalism and Citizenship, Government of Canada, is used extensively in Finnish schools worldwide. A member of the Finnish Expatriate Parliament, Anneli Ylänkö, for fostering appreciation of Finnish culture worldwide, was given Finland's Society Silver Medal in 1990, and was made, in 1995, Knight of the Order of the White Rose of Finland. In this view, she is holding her certificate signed by Finnish President Martti Ahtisaari. [Photo, courtesy Anneli Ylänkö]