Mazankowski Alberta Heart Institute
Three experts appointed to lead heart institute
The three scientists who will take the helm at the new Mazankowski Alberta Heart Institute have their hearts set on success. Nationally recognized Halifax cardiologist Dr. David Johnstone, who specializes in cardiac best practices and outcomes, has assumed a post as clinical director. His U of A colleague Dr. Gary Lopaschuk, a world leader in energy metabolism and control of fatty acid metabolism in the heart, will serve as the centre's scientific director. Surgeon Dr. Arvind Koshal, regional director of Capital Health's cardiac sciences, has been appointed director of development and external affairs.
Original: Express News

In January 2001, the Government of Alberta charged Capital Health, in partnership with the University of Alberta, to develop a heart disease centre. Construction of the new building began in October 2003, and, in May 2005, the centre was named the Mazankowski Alberta Heart Institute after the Right Honourable Don Mazankowski, an active Conservative politician.
Capital Health, one of the largest integrated health regions in Canada, is recognized internationally for its groundbreaking innovations and advances in medicine. The University of Alberta is one of Canada's foremost research-intensive universities, and the Government of Alberta has provided $156 million for construction of the Institute. Health professionals, policy makers, educators, and administrators from each of these three outstanding partners have worked together to create an outstanding centre of cardiovascular health excellence.
The mission of the Mazankowski Alberta Heart Institute is to "provide the highest quality of integrated cardiovascular care to Albertans and Western Canadians, pursue new knowledge through leading-edge cardiovascular research, educate the next generation of health professionals, and advance the frontiers of promoting heart health and preventing heart disease."
The Mazankowski Institute will use the most current treatment, state-of-the-art equipment, and technology to ensure optimum treatment for patients from Alberta, the other Prairies, and the Canadian North. It will also increase the patient treatment capacity and the number of beds and will decrease the wait time.

All those who want to improve cardiovascular care, including physicians, nurses, pharmacists, rehabilitation professionals, and policy makers will be able to work together at the Mazankowski Institute. It will also be a place of education for cardiologists, cardiac surgeons, researchers, and other health care professionals of the future. The Mazankowski Institute will help move research discoveries into clinical practice and will attract and retain the best cardiac talents in Canada.
In addition to episodic treatment, the Maz Institute will also focus on lifelong care and cardiovascular disease prevention.
The Alberta Cardiovascular and Stroke Research Centre will be located on the lower level of the Maz Institute.
To read more about the Mazankowski Alberta Heart Institute, please visit its website.