Three experts appointed to led heart institute
Written By: Caitlin Crawshaw, Arvind Koshal
2006-06-21
The three scientists who will take the helm at the new Mazankowski Alberta Heart Institute have their hearts set on success.On Wednesday the University of Alberta and Capital Health introduced the three distinguished experts who will lead the new institute when it opens in 2007. 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 to director of development and external affairs.
The new centre will provide researchers with "a tremendous physical resource" that will position the heart institute to provide services and conduct research unimaginable just five years ago, said Johnstone.
"However, the big excitement is, I think, in creating a team that will do this," he said.
Lopaschuk emphasized the importance of scientific research to the care and prognosis of heart ailments.
"If you had a heart attack in the 1970s you had a 30-per-cent chance of dying before you left the hospital. In 2006, if you have a heart attack, you only have five per cent chance of dying," he said. "That dramatic drop in mortality is due to advances in research and care of the heart attack patients, and transferring the basic fundamental research into clinical practice."
But despite the advances in cardiac medicine, heart disease and stroke continue to be major causes of mortality in Canada.
"Our goal is to eliminate both of these deadly diseases," he said. "I think the Mazankowski Alberta Heart Institute will go a long way towards doing that."
Koshal said the centre is a "dream come true."
"Building a facility of this magnitude is a giant undertaking which requires a critical mass of skill, experience, resources and ability to build on our assets," he said.
"There are very few places in North America that have the ability to build something like this, and we are very fortunate. This heart institute is going to be an asset in Canada, and it's a gift from us to the rest of the country.
"We still have a lot to work to do; we have a lot of challenges. But it will get done. We've come to this stage, and we will go further."
Original: ExpressNews