Promoting Cardiovascular Education, Research, People and Places
THE OFFICIAL BULLETIN OF THE INTERNATIONAL ACADEMY OF CARDIOVASCULAR SCIENCES
VOL. 1 · NO. 1 · Pages 1-12, 2002
Editorial Team From The Editors
Editor: In order to recognize people of significant stature in Ivan Berkowitz, Canada cardiovascular sciences, the Academy has intro- Assistant Editors: duced Distinguished Achievement Awards (for pro- Ian Dixon, Canada moting cardiovascular education and research Lorrie Kirshenbaum, Canada throughout the world). First presentation of these awards was made at the World Congress in Editorial Board: Winnipeg in 2001, to Jacques Genest and Ruth Otoni Gomes, Brazil Collins-Nakai. Suresh Gupta, India Keld Kjeldsen, Denmark During Executive Director Naranjan Dhalla’s recent Ricky Man, Hong Kong visit to Japan, he developed a plan for the Peter McLennan, Australia St. Boniface Hospital Research Centre, Academy’s first regional affiliation. He confirmed Dennis McNamara, USA Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada with the Japanese Working Group on Cardiac Bohuslav Ostadal, Czech Rep. Structure and Metabolism with 350 members to Grant Pierce, Canada he Academy has established Cardiovascular become the International Academy of Arie Pinson, Israel Network as the Official Bulletin to promote Cardiovascular Sciences – Japan Section. Pawan Singal, Canada T education, research, people and places. An The Academy appreciates the support of the Bramah Singh, USA enthusiastic editorial team has been put together to American Heart Association which provided a booth Nobuakira Takeda, Japan publish this bulletin three times each year. It is our at the AHA Conference in Anaheim, November 2001. hope that we will be able to serve the cardiovascu- The Academy will also exhibit at the 11th In This Issue lar community throughout the world by insuring International Congress on Cardiovascular exchanges of ideas and networking. The CV Network Pharmacotherapy, May 18 – 21, 2002, in Montreal, 1 From the Editors will also be available on the Academy web site: Quebec, the 22nd ISHR European Section Annual www.heart.academy.org Meeting, July 3 – 6, 2002, in Szeged, Hungary and the 2 Founding Directors & Officers Since its founding in 1996, the Academy has been ISHR - North American Section 24th Annual Meeting, sponsoring 3 – 5 scientific conferences per year, at July 24-27, 2002, in Madison, Wisconsin, USA. 2 Official Journals different places in the world. Meetings of the found- The Academy leaders have begun approaching 3 Mission Statement & ing directors have been held at least once a year to potential sources of the funding which will sustain Objectives develop strategies. These efforts have resulted in an endowment fund to assure the long-term viabili- two official journals being sponsored by the 4 People & Places ty of our efforts to promote cardiovascular educa- Academy. The 1st World Congress of The Academy, tion, research, people and places. 6 Remembering Someone under the chairmanship of Otoni Gomes, will be Special held in Belo Horizonte, Brazil, October 11 – 13, We take pride in sharing with you that the hard work invested by the Founding Directors and 6 Living Legends 2003. Between now and then, there are several other scientific meetings planned. The Academy Officers over the past six years has positioned the 7 World Heart Conference was a partner in hosting the immensely successful Academy for a dynamic growth curve. We ask you to 10 Academy – Japan Section XVII World Congress of the International Society for think of CV Network as your own. Please forward Meeting Heart Research at the superb facilities of the newsworthy items to the Editor, which we will be Winnipeg Convention Centre, July 6 - 11, 2001. pleased to publish and add to the web site. 10 Ottawa Heart Institute: 25th Anniversary EDITORIAL OFFICE: Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, St. Boniface General Hospital Research Centre, 11 Conference Calendar Faculty of Medicine, University of Manitoba 3006 - 351 Taché Avenue, Winnipeg, Manitoba R2H 2A6 Canada · Tel: (204) 228-3193 · Fax: (204) 233-6723 e-mail the Editor: [email protected] · Academy web site: www.heartacademy.org FOUNDING DIRECTORS & OFFICERS
Norman Alpert, Burlington, USA K. Gopal Nair, Bombay, India Administrative Structure of the International Academy of Giuseppe Ambrosio, Perugia, Italy Bohuslav Ostadal, Prague, Czech Republic Cardiovascular Sciences Piero Anversa, Valhalla, USA Grant N. Pierce, Winnipeg, Canada President Colin Bloor, La Jolla, USA Shahbudin H. Rahimtoola, Los Angeles, USA Howard Morgan, Winfield, USA Vice President Roberto Bolli, Louisville, USA Edson A. Saad, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Stephen Vatner, Hackensack, USA Horacio E. Cingolani, La Plata, Argentina Ismail Sallam, Cairo, Egypt Vice President Norman Alpert, Burlington, USA Naranjan S. Dhalla, Winnipeg, Canada Bal K. Sharma, Chandigarh, India Chairman, Board of Directors Ian M.C. Dixon, Winnipeg, Canada Pawan K. Singal, Winnipeg, Canada Makoto Nagano, Tokyo, Japan Raul Domenech, Santiago, Chile Bramah Singh, Los Angeles, USA Executive Director and CEO Naranjan S. Dhalla, Winnipeg, Canada Sidney Goldstein, Detroit, USA Jan Slezak, Bratislava, Slovak Republic Director of Finance Otoni Gomes, Belo Horizonte, Brazil Nobuakira Takeda, Tokyo, Japan Vladimir N. Smirnov, Moscow, Russia Chide Han, Beijing, China Director of Education Edmund H. Sonnenblick, Bronx, USA Pawan K. Singal, Winnipeg, Canada Wilbert J. Keon, Ottawa, Canada Nobuakira Takeda, Tokyo, Japan Director of Scientific Affairs Lorrie A. Kirshenbaum, Winnipeg, Canada Grant N. Pierce, Winnipeg, Canada Paul M. Vanhoutte, Courbevoie, France Director of Corporate Affairs Keld Kjeldsen, Copenhagen, Denmark Stephen Vatner, Pittsburgh, USA Ian M. C. Dixon, Winnipeg, Canada Jos M. J. Lamers, Rotterdam, Director of Public Affairs Richard A. Walsh, Cincinnati, USA The Netherlands Lorrie A. Kirshenbaum, Winnipeg, Canada
Terrance Montague, Pointe-Claire, Canada Karl Werdan, Halle/Salle, Germany Director of Development Ivan Berkowitz, Winnipeg, Canada Howard Morgan, Winfield, USA James T. Willerson, Houston, USA Administrative Assistant Makoto Nagano, Tokyo, Japan Magdi Yacoub, London, England Susan Zettler, Winnipeg, Canada
Official Journals of the International Academy of Cardiovascular Sciences
1) EXPERIMENTAL & CLINICAL CARDIOLOGY 2) JOURNAL of CARDIOVASCULAR PHARMACOLOGY and (Editor: B. Ostadal) THERAPEUTICS • An international, English language, peer review journal cov- (Editor: B. Singh) ering all aspects of cardiology from basic science to clinical Four times a year, this respected publication brings critical trials and reviews. evaluation and discussion to pharmacologic and therapeutic • Controlled by an internationally renowned editorial board advances in the treatment of cardiovascular disease comprising leading cardiologists from Europe, North America For details, please contact the publisher: and around the world. WESTMINSTER PUBLICATIONS For more info please visit the site of the publisher: Telephone: (516) 759 0025 Fax: (516) 759 5524 PULSUS GROUP: E-mail: [email protected] http://www.pulsus.com/ecc http://www.westminsterpublications.com
2 MISSION STATEMENT AND OBJECTIVES
Our Mission of the Academy. The number of Fellows c) holding scientific symposia on focussed will not exceed 250 at any given time. To promote cardiovascular education of pro- topics of current interest fessionals and lay people and to recognize d) developing news bulletins highlighting c) Corporate Members: Any corporation major cardiovascular achievement through- different programs of cardiovascular cen- or organization which shares the mission out the world. tres and institutes all over the world of the Academy and willing to support its activities will be invited to become e) publishing cardiovascular journals, The Academy Corporate Members. books and symposia proceedings as well as The International Academy of developing an interactive Web Site - Cardiovascular Sciences was founded in d) Patrons and Supporters: Any individual www.heartacademy.org - for promoting car- 1996 and is headquartered in Winnipeg, who shares the mission of the Academy diovascular education Manitoba, Canada. Established by renowned and is willing to support its activities will Cardiovascular Scientists, Surgeons and be invited to become part of the Academy Cardiologists, the Academy provides the in an appropriate category. 3. To increase public awareness with respect organizational structure for the world-wide to cardiovascular health and disease by: sharing of research and education informa- Objectives: a) making the general public aware of the tion in the field of heart health. cardiovascular risk factors by holding pub- 1. To promote the scientific basis for the lic seminars and lectures practice of cardiology and cardiovascular Although great strides have been made in surgery by: improving the death rate from heart disease, a) organizing Cardiovascular Teach-ins all b) expressing views on cardiovascular issues heart attacks and related problems are still over the world for continued education of through national and international media the number one killer. The Academy practicing physicians, surgeons and believes that a fundamental problem is the experimental cardiologists c) cooperating with national government, lack of transmission of knowledge to the public and private agencies concerned with public. Research has found answers but the b) establishing cardiovascular forums in improving cardiovascular health and pre- facts are too slow in moving beyond the labs. all major cities of the world for organizing venting cardiovascular disease and increasing the interaction of clinical The Academy, through world-wide represen- cardiologists as well as surgeons with 4. To recognize the achievements of cardio- tation, builds connectivity and encourages basic scientists vascular investigators by: networking through traditional means of a) identifying established investigators of journals, texts and symposia, as well as con- c) setting up national offices of the high reputation for awarding Fellowships sensus panels made up of advisory board Academy for coordinating its activities in of the Academy (not more than 250 at any members and other experts. The Academy different countries continually pursues new information tech- given time) nologies which will result in more rapid and d) cooperating with various national agen- wider availability of the latest discoveries to cies in different countries concerned with b) awarding major prizes to distinguished help save lives. the education of medical students, gradu- scientists ate students and postdoctoral fellows Membership c) selecting young talents for awards and e) collaborating with various national and travel grants This Academy will consist of Members, international organizations dedicated to Fellows, Corporate Members, Patrons and both clinical and experimental research 5. To raise funds from individuals and corpo- Supporters. in the area of cardiovascular sciences rate sources for various programs of the a) Members: Any individual at the rank of Academy by: full professor, senior scientist, celebrated 2. To foster the exchange of information a) naming symposia/workshops/seminars cardiologist or cardiovascular surgeon who among cardiovascular scientists by: in cardiovascular sciences has made substantial contributions in a) establishing national and international their field of expertise, can be nominated networks of various centres and institu- for the membership of the Academy. tions for optimal utilization of resources b) making corporate members of the Academy b) Fellows: The Fellow of the Academy b) promoting exchange programs among will be elected by membership with 80% different countries through respective c) identifying patrons and supporters of majority. The Fellow must be a member governmental agencies the Academy
3 PEOPLE AND PLACES Academy Honours Jacques Genest with Distinguished Achievement Award
More than anyone else in Canada and proba- most important contributions to the patho- Conseil de la recherche médicale du Québec bly in North America, Dr. Jacques Genest has genesis of hypertension in the last 30 years”. that became, in 1981, the Fonds de la devoted energy and time to promotion of the He helped save the Université de Montréal, recherche en santé du Québec (FRSQ), with status and essential importance of the physi- Faculty of Medicine in 1962 when, after many an annual budget of over 60 million dollars a cian-scientist as the vial link between basic successive visits, was threatened with cancel- year. The latter organization has been most research and patient. lation of its accreditation as a medical school successful in promotion of the importance of Dr. Genest has been a most consistent and by the Joint US and Canadian Council on clinical research in Québec at all medical ardent promoter of biomedical and clinical Medical Schools in 1950, 1955, 1960 and 1962, schools, as well as university hospital research and of its importance in modern if specific recommendations repeatedly made research centres. society, stressing the importance of the physi- were not put in place within a year. At this Dr. Genest created the Clinical Research cian-scientist for the understanding of physi- time, the Board of Governors of the Université ological process toward more effective treat- de Montréal invited Dr. Jacques Genest to Institute of Montreal which has been a model ment and prevention of diseases. He has become a Board Member and President of its and a prototype of the modern organization of given numerous lectures around the world on Committee on Medical Affairs, with Drs. clinical research, especially in regard to inte- this subject and has been a true leader in this Roger Gaudry and André Montpetit. Within gration of basic sciences of molecular biology, area for more than three decades. two years, the budget of the Medical School genetics and immunology to clinical disci- was tripled, full-time teachers were appointed plines, especially in the fields of hyperten- In addition, through his inquiries in the both at the pre-clinical and at the clinical lev- United States and in Europe, and his many sion, cancer, endocrine disorders, els. Changes were made in the high echelons trips around the world, Dr. Genest has been a hematopoïesis, retrovirology and cardiovas- of the Faculty and means for a better collabo- most consistent and ardent promoter of bio- cular diseases. The IRCM was the model fol- ration and integration between basic and clin- medical and clinical research and of its lowed by the Lady Davis Research Institute, ical departments were taken. At the end of importance in modern society, stressing the the Robarts Research Institute in London this two-year period, the same committee importance of the physician-scientist for the and others in Canada as well as in the world. came back and was so satisfied that the understanding of physiological process Université de Montréal got its accreditation Instead of attempting to recruit older toward more effective treatment and preven- renewed for a five-year period. researchers of the highest standard and with tion of diseases. He has given numerous lec- international reputation, it was decided to tures around the world on this subject and In 1965, he was appointed by Dr. J.S.L. has been a true leader in this area for more Browne, founder of the Canadian start the Institute with young researchers on than three decades. Investigation Travel Club, as organizer of the the basis of their talents and the quality of Montreal meeting (the first one was held in their early productivity, and to create a cli- Dr. Genest has been considered as a giant in Montreal and the second one in Toronto) and mate where the passion for the acquisition of Canadian medicine, and one of the first three because of the increasing number of atten- new knowledge and the pursuit of excellence living Canadian physicians to be nominated dees to the CITC annual meetings, Dr. would give them the best changes of realising in 1993 in the Canadian Medical Hall of Fame Genest. proposed the Club be changed in a in Kingston, Ontario. their goals. formal clinical investigation society with its His many contributions have been recognised own charter and by-laws. This was accom- The Clinical Research Institute of Montreal, by numerous awards (see below) and his plished in 1960-61, the new society being inaugurated in 1967, was the first one to estab- nomination on the Board of the Merck & Co., formed (CSCI) and a federal charter to its lish as a priority the creation of teams of physi- Inc. (1972-1992) and of the Montreal Trust representatives: Drs. Robin Chermack, cian-scientists and basic researchers in each (1979-1989) which have permitted him to Ramsay Gunton and Jacques Genest. The lat- thematic laboratory such as hypertension, have an important insight into the world of ter was elected as its first President. enzymology-endocrinology (convertases), ath- high finance and in the administration of Following this example, Dr. Genestfounded erosclerosis, hematopoïesis, AIDS, etc. It was multinational corporations. the Club de recherches cliniques du Québec also the third in the world (after Georgetown For 40 years, one of the world leaders in in 1959. Which that has held meetings each and Hudson’s centres) and the first in creating hypertension research and patients’ manage- year ever since and has been most successful within a biomedical research institute a ment. According to Irvine Page: “Genest and in promoting clinical research in the province Bioethics Centre which became a leader in his group in Montréal have made some of the of Québec. He also created in 1963-64 the Canada and in the world.
4 Dr J. Genest’s Previous Awards: • For his scientific and research contributions*, he was Medicine of Canada (1988), the Royal Bank Award • Companion of the Order of Canada in 1967 (the first the recipient of many prestigious prizes, besides the (1980), the Sir Thomas Lewis Medal of the British year of the Order) Gairdner Award (1963), the Flavelle Award of the Cardiac Society (1985), and others • Grand Officier of the Ordre National du Québec in Royal Society (1968), the Killiam Award (1986), the • Twelve Honorary Degrees among which the 1991 and President in 1996 Toronto University, the McGill University, the Stouffer Award of the AHA (1969), the Marie-Victorin • Master of the American College of Physicians Rockfeller University, the Université de • Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada Scientific Prize of the Government of Québec (1977), Montpellier, etc. • President of the Council for High Blood Pressure the Armand-Frappier Scientific Award of the • The Macy Foundation (1974) recorded his mem- Research of the American Heart Association (1976- Government of Québec (1996), the FNG Award of the 1978) oirs in the series of «Leaders in American • Simms Commonwealth Professor of the Royal Canadian Medical Association (1982), the Christie Medicine» for the National Library of Medicine in College of Surgeons of London (1970) Award of the Association of Professors of Washington and by Harvard University (1982)
PEOPLE AND PLACES Academy Honours Ruth Collins-Nakai with Distinguished Achievement Award
Ruth Collins-Nakai, affectionately known by tional levels in such prestigious roles as Canada Foundation for Innovation, the Heart many of her patients as "Dr. Ruth", is a physi- President of the Alberta Cardiovascular and Stroke Foundation of Canada and the cian, mother, wife, educator, scientist and Society, Commissioner on the Premier’s National Institutes of Health. Her research community volunteer. This native of small- Commission on Future Health Care for interests have included epidemiology of con- town Alberta has been extraordinarily suc- Albertans, President of the Alberta Medical genital heart disease, pharmacodynamics of cessful in her chosen specialty of Cardiology, Association (first woman), Chair of the Board cardiac drugs in infants and children, cardiac and has proceeded to serve her profession, of Governors of the American College of metabolism and congestive heart failure. her University and her community with dis- Cardiology (first woman and first Canadian), Dr. Collins-Nakai’s true humanity is revealed in tinction, skill and enthusiasm. Dr. Collins- and most recently, as the President of the her volunteer activities. Whether chairing a Nakai completed her undergraduate, medical Canadian Cardiovascular Society (first committee for the Heart and Stroke school, and postgraduate education at woman). She has worked on national projects Foundation of Canada or serving a major char- University of Alberta, McGill and Harvard ranging from physician resource planning, ity such as the Muttart Foundation in its quest Universities. After nearly a quarter of a cen- and health care financing in the country, to for better lives for children and a more effec- tury as an academic with the University of federal-provincial surveillance systems. Alberta, in 2001, she chose to continue to see tive charitable sector, or in her role on the The energy, compassion, intellect and leader- Board of Governors for Grant MacEwan patients on a part-time basis, but to leave the ship Dr. Collins-Nakai generates is not con- University and pursue additional health care College, Ruth contributes to her community. fined to Medicine. She has been a strong She believes that those of us who can, must consulting opportunities which have supporter of the need for education and sci- increased steadily since she completed her contribute to make our communities just a lit- ence in the province and has worked to tle bit better. A true leader with a heart! MBA in 1998. increase research funding overall in the Dr. Ruth established the Heritage Pediatric province and in Canada. She has encouraged Previous Awards: Cardiology Program, the precursor to the suc- and helped young entrepreneurs, and 1. Teacher of the Year Award: Pediatrics, University of Alberta 1988. cessful Congenital Heart Program at the through her work on the Board of 2. Nominee: "Woman of the Year" in category Science University of Alberta which now serves Management of the Alberta Science and and Technology, YWCA, Edmonton, 1991. Nominee: Western Canada. She introduced ultrasound Research Authority has helped to promote a Service Award by Premier’s Council in Support of of the heart there more than two decades ago knowledge-based industry in the province. Alberta Families 1991 and helped establish an infant heart surgery She contributed to an action research project 3. Woman of Vision Award, ITV, Connecting Women mag- program. An innovator, she introduced many on Women in Leadership, the results of which azine for professional & community service & leader- new techniques to take the place of surgery, were released publicly in early 1999. She has ship, February, 1997 and to decrease pain and suffering in the also been appointed to the Governing Council 4. Teacher of the Year Award: Pediatrics, University of Alberta 1997. children and adults she treats. Always willing of the newly established Canadian Institutes 5. Woman of the Year Award: 1999, Business and to serve her profession, Dr. Collins-Nakai has of Health Research and routinely reviews Professional Women’s Club of Edmonton and worked at provincial, national and interna- grants for institutions as diverse as the Northern Alberta
5 REMEMBERING SOMEONE SPECIAL
Dr. Robert E. Beamish by Ian M.C. Dixion
Members of the ACADEMY were greatly sad- second World War, retiring at the rank of became a Fellow of the Royal College of dened at news of the passing, Feb. 17, 2001 of Captain. He also provided by example a pro- Physicians (Canada) in 1950, and then one of the founders, Dr. Robert E. Beamish. totype for the training of research-oriented returned to Winnipeg to serve Manitobans for His death marks the end of a storied career in clinicians. He had a great number of awards many subsequent decades. Canadian cardiovascular medicine. He made including the Order of Canada (1990). He Dr. Beamish always provided young investiga- major contributions to the improvement of was the founding editor of the Canadian tors and clinicians with encouragement and the delivery of excellent health care in this Journal of Cardiology. Dr. Beamish’s work support whenever it was due. Many knew him province, and his efforts extend over garnered him international accolades, and as a gifted mentor and an outstanding orator, decades. Dr. Beamish is recognized as the he maintained an international reputation who could transform a sundry message to a person who promoted the expansion of mod- for excellence in cardiovascular science. He thing of beauty with his usual mixture of ele- ern cardiology in Manitoba through his very was raised in Western Manitoba and received gance and clarity. Despite his long list of early efforts with the Heart and Stroke his early training in Winnipeg. After receiv- achievements, he always maintained his Foundation. He is widely recognized in ing a prestigious appointment (Nuffield famous "down-to-earth" demeanor. He was Canada and the U.S. for his pioneering work Dominion Traveling Fellowship – 1947) and never too busy to drop a pearl of scientific or in clinical cardiology and he is regarded as a extensive training in the UK (Assistant philosophical wisdom. His rapport with all person of singular vision and energy. His Registrar, National Heart Hosp., London, staff and colleagues was superb. Dr. Beamish interests and pursuits were multiple, varied England – 1948, Member, Royal College of long ago became and remains an inspirational and were manifest in the scope of his Physicians (London) – 1948, Member, Royal figure and model for his colleagues and the achievements. For example, he served in the College of Physicians (Edinburgh) – 1949) he current population of students.
THE LIVING LEGENDS Colleagues Honour the Minds Behind a
Half-Century of Breakthroughs by Patti Edgar · The Ottawa Citizen, Mon., Aug. 20, 2001
organization's first North American symposium, attracting 250 delegates from 39 countries. Each of the honoured scientists gave a brief presentation, outlining their careers or mak- ing predictions for the future. Doctors who had led research in everything from kidney dialysis to open heart surgery offered a glimpse into Dr. Naranjan Dhalla Dr.Michael DeBakey Dr. Wilbert Keon Dr. Magdi Yacoub the future of artificial eyes, hidden mechani- The men who gave the world kidney trans- "In the last 50 years there has been an explo- cal hearts and brain transplants. plants, pacemakers and artificial hearts were sion of knowledge compared to human histo- They also shared practical advice for young named "Living Legends" by their peers in ry," said emcee Tofy Mussivand, a director at scientists, such as the value of learning from Ottawa yesterday. the Ottawa Heart Institute. failures. A greying panel of 12 scientists -- one wearing "These people sitting in front of you have "It's encouraging for new scientists to see how a pacemaker whose concept he helped per- been a major contributor to that explosion of much someone can achieve in their career," fect -- were honoured by their younger col- knowledge." said Dr. Mahmoud Shahrabadi, a University of leagues on the last day of a weekend sympo- On the 10-year anniversary of its creation, the Calgary researcher. "When you see what these sium at the Ottawa Congress Centre. World Artificial-Organ, Immunology and people have done, it gives us hope for the Organizers believe it was the first time the Transplantation Society gave out its first future. People who are suffering from incur- men who pioneered organ transplantation, awards to living scientists 60 and older who able diseases should never give up." one of medical science's greatest frontiers, have made major contributions to humanity The honoured scientists, the oldest 93, were were gathered together in the same room. through invention or discovery. It was also the just as impressed with the next generation of
6 innovators. "I am greatly encouraged to see pumps, arterial bypass operations and heart Dr. Keon was a cardiac research pioneer and that the future is really bright," said Dr. transplants. the first Canadian surgeon to implant an arti- Magdi Yacoub. Naranjan Dhalla: A University of Manitoba ficial heart as a bridge to transplantation. The scientists honoured yesterday are: doctor who has worked in experimental car- William Kolff: Known as the father of artifi- Kazuhiko Atsumi: At Tokyo University, Dr. diology, focusing on the subcellular basis of cial organs, this American invented the artifi- Atsumi led a team that took up the challenge heart function. cial kidney and dialysis technique. In the of developing heart assist devices and artifi- Wilson Greatbatch: An American who was a 1950s and 1960s he helped develop the heart cial hearts in Japan. pioneer in the development of power sources and lung machine and the first artificial heart at the Cleveland Clinic. Wilfred Bigelow: Among other achieve- for implantable medical devices and helped ments, Canadian Dr. Bigelow discovered how develop and use the pacemaker. Juro Wada: Honorary president of the to lower the body's oxygen requirements by Roland Hetzer: Dr. Hetzer performed the World Artificial-Organ, Immunology and lowering its core temperature, allowing open first heart transplant operation in Hannover Transplantation Society. After inventing heart surgery to be performed safely. and helped develop a program for heart and Japan's first hyperbaric chamber, Dr. Wada per- formed Japan's first heart transplant in 1968. Roy Calne: Dr. Calne performed Britain's lung transplants. He is the director at the first liver transplant and discovered azathio- German Heart Institute in Berlin. Magdi Yacoub: A British pioneer heart sur- prine, which stopped the rejection of new Adrian Kantrowitz: An American credited geon who developed new surgical techniques organs in transplant patients. with developing a plastic heart valve, a heart- for congenital heart conditions. He founded the British branch of Chain of Hope, a charity Michael DeBakey: An American who helped lung machine, an internal pacemaker and an dedicated to performing operations on chil- develop the artificial heart and has been auxiliary left ventricle. dren from developing countries. credited with inventing or perfecting numer- Wilbert Keon: Canadian senator and founder ous devices and procedures including heart and director of the Ottawa Heart Institute.
WORLD HEART CONFERENCE — WINNIPEG The World of Heart Health came to Canada! by Lorrie A. Kirshenbaum
The St. Boniface General Hospital's Institute Hon. Ron Duhamel, Premier of Manitoba antee that visitors enjoyed every minute of the of Cardiovascular Sciences and the Gary Doer and Deputy Mayor of Winnipeg sessions, superb networking opportunities and University of Manitoba Faculty of Medicine Lillian Thomas helped to host visitors includ- hospitality which only Manitoba can provide. were honoured to host the XVII World ing international political, association and The Landmark Lecturers included Dr. Eugene Congress of the International Society for business leaders. Braunwald, Boston, USA; Sir Magdi Yacoub, Heart Research, July 6 - 11, 2001, in Dr. Dhalla’s, Planning Team of more than 200 London, England; Dr. Yoshio Yazaki, Tokyo, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. Dr. Naranjan global experts, created the most important Japan; Dr. Claude Lenfant, Bethesda, USA; Dr. Dhalla, Director of the Institute of scientific convention ever held in Canada, in Lionel Opie, Cape Town, South Africa; Dr. Eric Cardiovascular Sciences at the St. Boniface terms of numbers of visitors and the excep- Olson, Dallas, USA; Dr. Shigetake Sasayma, General Hospital Research Centre and inter- tional quality of the science and the people Kyoto, Japan; Dr. Phillip Poole-Wilson, nationally recognized scientist for his excel- attending. Over 600 of the world's leading London, England; Dr. Roberto Bolli, Louisville, lent contributions to the advancement of car- cardiologists, surgeons and scientists accept- USA; Dr. Paul Armstrong, Edmonton, Canada; diovascular science around the world, was ed invitations to share their expertise in the Dr. Wolgang Schaper, Bad Nauheim, Germany; the meeting Chairman. As a tribute to Dr. exceptional professional program consisting Dr. Roberto Ferrari, Ferrara, Italy; Dr. Adolfo Dhalla’s international recognition more of 20 Landmark Lectures, Awards DeBold, Ottawa, Canada; Dr. James Willerson, than 1,800 delegates including cardiologists, Competitions, 72 Symposia, an Exhibition, Houston, USA; Dr. Arun Chockalingam, cardiac surgeons, basic medical scientists and 3 sessions each presenting 200 Posters. Ottawa, Canada; Dr. Rodolfo Paoletti, Milan, and other allied health care professionals All speakers and chairmen received the Italy; and Dr. Karl Weber, Memphis, USA. from 70 countries. Government officials Lt.- Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences "Medal Gov. Peter Liba, Canada’s Minister of of Merit". The local volunteer Team per- continued… Veterans Affairs and M P from St. Boniface formed in an extraordinary manner to guar-
7 …continued Prestigious international awards were pre- experts established in 1998 the Global Forum National Research Council, Myles Robinson sented to: on Health Research on Cardiovascular Disease Memorial Heart Fund, International Initiative in Developing Countries. The head- Development Research Centre, Great- Dr. Robert Lefkowitz, Duke University, quarters for is located in New Delhi, India. West/London Life, Dairy Farmers of Canada Durham, USA – Peter Harris Award from The primary goal is to develop new innovative and Mars/M&M. the ISHR treatment strategies to reduce the morbidity Media interest was exceptional – locally, Dr. Eduardo Marban, Baltimore, USA – and mortality of cardiovascular disease in nationally and internationally (even CNN and ISHR Research Achievement Award third world countries which have limited the BBC aired a report from the Congress). In sponsored by Chugai Pharmaceutical access to conventional medical interventions. particular, the Winnipeg Free Press published Company A magnificent final banquet for the Congress an 8-page section and more than 30 articles. Dr. Hilchen Sommerschild, Oslo, Norway was highlighted by the presentation to Dr. Dr. Dhalla has arranged with Kluwer Academic – ISHR European Section/Servier Eugene Braunwald, Harvard Medical School, Publishers, Boston, for 9 books and focused Research Fellowship Boston, USA of the 2001 International issues of the work presented at the Congress,