In this article – our final of 2023 – we revisit the captivating physicians, clinicians, scientists, nurses and allied health professionals, and the inspiring narratives that made headlines in The Beat this year.
From the important first steps of groundbreaking initiatives in cardiovascular health to the remarkable career highlights of distinguished leaders, these were the stories that captured the hearts of our readers in 2023.
An important step in women's heart health herstory
The Canadian Women's Heart Health Centre (CWHHC) at the University of Ottawa Heart Institute (UOHI) is establishing a network to improve cardiovascular disease prevention and care in women.
The network will work to improve the awareness of risk factors that disproportionately or uniquely affect women – for example, certain pregnancy-related conditions, autoimmune rheumatic diseases, and menopause – and will look to systematize processes for prioritizing and tailoring screening, assessment, diagnosis, and treatment.
“We need a better, more informed and integrated system that connects women to resources and interventions in their community earlier, before their conditions progress,” explained CWHHC Director Dr. Kerri-Anne Mullen, who is co-leading the project.
Read An important step in women's heart health herstory »
Drinking less alcohol is best for heart patients
Canada’s Low-Risk Alcohol Drinking Guidelines recommend consuming no more than two drinks a week for no to low risk of seven types of cancer, short-term disability and injury, heart disease and stroke.
Dr. Hassan Mir, a cardiologist in the Division of Cardiac Prevention and Rehabilitation at the UOHI, said alcohol can weaken the heart muscle and cause congestive heart failure and put patients at risk of heart disease and stroke. Regular alcohol use prior to surgery can increase the risk of postoperative complications.
Kathleen Turner, a registered dietitian at the Heart Institute, said patients should be mindful of their alcohol intake and consider drinking less. She advises patients to consult their family doctor or primary care provider in their community about low-risk alcohol consumption.
Read Drinking less alcohol is best for heart patients »
Devoted nurse with passion for education develops first one-stop resource for women with heart disease
Nazli Parast, an advanced practice nurse at the UOHI, began noticing a pattern in her conversations with her patients in the women's heart health clinic. Recognizing a gap, she developed the first comprehensive guide tailored specifically to women with heart disease.
Cardiologists, nurses, dietitians, psychologists, physiotherapists, and other medical professionals contributed to the guide’s development, but patient partners played a significant role throughout the process.
Dr. Marc Ruel reflects on 11 years as chief of cardiac surgery
Dr. Marc Ruel led as head of cardiac surgery at the UOHI for 11 years, but in September of 2023, his second mandate came to an end, and the institute announced Dr. Pierre Voisine as his successor.
Dr. Ruel has largely shaped the division’s approach to nearly all aspects of patient care while driving translational and clinical research outputs, advanced surgical education, and new forays in surgical innovation.
In an interview with The Beat, he reflected on his time as leader of cardiac surgery at the country’s largest and foremost heart health centre dedicated to understanding, treating, and preventing heart disease.
Read Dr. Marc Ruel reflects on 11 years as chief of cardiac surgery »
Unlocking the power of collaboration: The promising future of a Canadian alliance of cardiovascular centres
In October of 2023, a coalition of administrative leaders from across the country and with influence over heath policy gathered in Montréal to discuss steps to formally launch a Canadian alliance of cardiovascular centres and set a two-year work plan.
Dr. Thierry Mesana, president and CEO of the UOHI, agreed to be a champion for the alliance.
“The vision is to establish a community of practice for administrative leaders from cardiovascular centres across Canada to address common challenges by sharing and pooling knowledge, experience, tools, and solutions, and to establish a common voice to policymakers on key issues,” he said.
“I believe that an alliance of Canada’s cardiovascular centres has the power to accelerate the right changes, to amplify the voice of advocacy for cardiovascular care in Canada, and to bring the crisis of heart disease morbidity and mortality back into the public’s view.”
Recognized for lifelong achievement, Dr. Terrence Ruddy shines light back on others
The Canadian Association of Nuclear Medicine awarded Dr. Terrence Ruddy with its Lifelong Achievement Award. At a gala held in his honour, several of Dr. Ruddy’s colleagues and friends delivered speeches, their words soon to be published in a supplementary issue of the Journal of Medical Imaging and Radiation Sciences.
However, on a night when much of the healthcare community was shining its spotlight on him, Dr. Ruddy was emphatic about shining that light back on others. He affirmed his successes have been the result “of working together as teams with a common goal.”
Read Recognized for lifelong achievement, Dr. Terrence Ruddy shines light back on others »
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