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Ottawa Heart Institute Foundation Blog
MONTHLY NEWSLETTER
FOUNDATION CONNECTION
The decades add up, in life and in work, celebrating the milestones along the way.
Growing up, and until the age of 30, it was just my younger brother Russell and me. Then, in the summer of 2005, our family dynamic expanded when Jack entered our lives, married our mom and introduced us to the concept of a “stepfamily”.
Winter’s Here: White-Knuckle Drives, Holiday Chaos, and the Pursuit of Excellence
Despite some difficult white-knuckle winter driving, I was thrilled to attend the World Cup ski event at Mont Tremblant this weekend. Watching the world’s top female racers compete on a mountain I love was incredible.
Teamwork, Tupperware, Trailblazing and a Tan – My November Notes Are Heating Up
In a hotel lobby on the outskirts of Toronto, I sat in a room full of strangers, all soccer parents and our kids, watching Game 7 of one of the best World Series ever to be played.
Keeping tabs, a magnitude of impact and plenty of highlights – I’ve got it covered!
In my everyday life I admit that I scroll between LinkedIn and Instagram throughout the day. At night, sometimes I even find myself doom scrolling (something I am working to reverse).
A Sprint, A Stranger & An Act of Kindness – The Perfect Warm Up for JUMP IN™
At the tail end of summer—and just before launching our JUMP IN™ for Women’s Heart Health campaign—Tony and I flew to NYC to catch Day 2 of the US Open, the final chapter of my 50th birthday extravaganza.
Heart Health, High Speeds & Hometown Heroes – The people and stories that matter
Late last week we officially dropped Andie off for her third year of university—and this time, it felt more like a gentle wave than a teary goodbye. The car was lighter, the emotions calmer and I could see the comfort in Andie’s body language as we stepped back into her apartment.
A Love Letter to Your Heart
Today is my 50th birthday and I am super excited to be sharing this monthly update with you. Earlier this month, as a kickoff to the milestone birthday, Tony and I traveled with the girls to Barcelona, Lisbon and Lagos.
A Churro, a Jersey, and a Marathon—Here’s What They Have in Common
Over my lifetime, I have spent more hours than I can count in musty, sweat-soaked locker rooms and dressing rooms.
Spilling The Tea! What’s new & What’s Next At The Foundation
This email is coming to you fresh off the Mother’s Day weekend, so, I figured that was the perfect place to start.Â
Making Our Mark- Why I Am So Proud To Call Ottawa Home
I have always been super proud to be Canadian and even more so to have been born and raised here in Ottawa.
Birthdays, Heart Month & Pickleball—A Season to Celebrate!
I wish I could say that this winter has flown by, but honestly, it feels like it’s been an endless marathon.
The “Before & After” –  A New Years Outlook
I started writing this month’s update with the intention, or at least the hope, of encouraging and inspiring many of you in your new year’s goals and resolutions.
INSPIRATIONAL STORIES
FROM OUR PATIENTS
Heart to Heart: John Fregeau’s Story
John Fregeau, now 64, credits a recent Globe and Mail story, featuring the University of Ottawa Heart Institute’s (UOHI) Dr. Marc Ruel, for starting a conversation with his cardiologist in Winnipeg about pursuing minimally invasive cardiac surgery at the Institute in Ottawa.
Gabriella would be lost without the ACHD clinic.
Asked to recall the year she was first diagnosed with congenital heart disease (CHD), Gabriella Hammond responds with a laugh, “They cut the cord, and I turned blue."
Sue’s Search for Answers
“My chest pain was like someone had their clenched fist, tightening it around my heart causing shortness of breath.”
- Sue Pinell
A Canadian champion needing to advocate for herself off the court
We are honoured to name Yiwen as one of our official 2024 JUMP IN™ For Women's Heart Health ambassadors. She exemplifies the best qualities of our participants, from coast to coast to coast, who show up for each other and their own healthier hearts day in and day out.
When giving back is second nature.
When revising their wills in 2014, Ottawa residents Paul and Marilyn Koch decided to leave a legacy gift to the Heart Institute.
The many lives of Pam MacCormack: From border guard to marathoner to cardiac survivor
We are honoured to name Pam as one of our official 2024 JUMP IN™ For Women's Heart Health ambassadors. She exemplifies the best qualities of our participants, from coast to coast to coast, who show up for each other and their own healthier hearts day in and day out.
The MacDonald Family Motto: “Fall down seven times… and get up eight.”
"If it were not for the staff that got personally involved, I would not be here." - Steve MacDonald
Robin and Heather Clark had a historic love story— lengthened by the life-saving care of the Heart Institute.
In a flash, he experienced a stabbing and excruciating chest pain. "I was so scared; here was my big, strong father doubled over in agony. His friends frantically rushed him to the Renfrew Hospital and, from there, he was transferred to the brand-new Ottawa Heart Institute."
The Taylors— a compassionate legacy for generations to come.
Platform sandals. Clogs. Wedges. Mules. Patent leather Mary Janes. What do all these shoes have in common?
A Grateful Heart: A strep infection leads to life-saving heart surgery. By Joel Haslam
The Ottawa Heart Institute is incredible. My experience is nothing but a miracle.
Riding toward a future, thanks to the University of Ottawa Heart Institute by Joel Haslam
The fact that I just happen to have the Heart Institute as my partner for this journey is one that I’m incredibly thankful for.
A Family’s Gratitude—Multiple Lives Saved by the UOHI by Joel Haslam
Know your family history. Make sure your family physician is aware, so that he or she can take proper steps to prevent some of the things we’ve had to go through ...sometimes you don’t get a second chance.
An executive chef’s brush with death and the wedding that almost did not happen by Joel Haslam.
It was life and death. And when you’re in life and death, life seems so bright. It’s filled with kindness and appreciation and love.
YOUR INSTITUTE STORIES
OUR GROUND-BREAKING WORK
Dr. Marc Ruel shares how minimally invasive cardiac surgery is helping patients recover faster, with less trauma, and return home to those they love.
When I was in training, I was struck by how invasive heart surgery could be and the toll it took on patients. I was determined to find a better way. I went to Harvard and began experimenting and developing more innovative and less invasive techniques.
Dr. Maharajh and Dr. Issa explain the importance of the ACHD Team.
"The ACHD team is made up of three cardiologists, two surgeons, two nurses and a clerk. We are a small team, but I would like to believe we make a big impact." - Nurse Carolynne Brousseau-Whaley
Dr. Markus Schwerzmann, and the ACHD Team, are working to give patients a better future.
"As recently as the 1960s, only 20% of children with congenital heart disease (CHD) would live to see adulthood. Today, thanks to innovative breakthroughs, like those happening at the University of Ottawa Heart Institute (UOHI), many more of these patients have a 90% chance of living a full life."
Celebrating unsung heroes who save lives in the operating rooms and work behind the scenes.
"The best part of my day is seeing patients come into the lab so sick and, a few minutes later, after the procedure, actually sit up and feeling so much better. It never gets old." - Daniela, CATh Lab nurse
A first in Canada: the innovative work of Dr. Aun Yeong Chong
“Your support for innovative equipment makes our work possible, but the real 'game-changer' is having the right people, the right equipment, the right medicine, and the right expertise under one roof.”
- Dr. Aun Yeong Chong
UOHI President & CEO, Dr. Rob Beanlands shares his vision…
Thanks to your support, this past year has been monumental at the Ottawa Heart Institute. “Heart Health for All” has become a commonly used phrase but it has real meaning for your Heart Institute; it embodies our commitment to ensure that everyone, regardless of geography, language, or background, receives the cardiac care they need to achieve their best heart health.
Dr. Michel Le May— we have shown that this treatment model reduces deaths by almost half.
Dr. Michel Le May, director of the UOHI STEMI program, reflects on his 40+ year career and the 20th anniversary of his life-saving program.
Dr. Katey Rayner: the Road to Discovery
Meet UOHI Chief Scientific Officer, Dr. Katey Rayner. She shares how with your help, we work on the frontiers of cardiovascular science to bring you new treatments from bench to bedside, and beyond. Innovative patient care is only possible with investment and ongoing research.
Dr. Ian Paterson: the trailblazing work of the Canadian Centre for Rare Cardiac Conditions (CCRC)
r. Ian Paterson & patient, Dr. Guy d'Anjou share how rare conditions are more common than you'd think.
A Nurses’ Family Tree of Compassionate Care
This National Nursing Week, we honour our exceptional, smart, and hardworking cardiac nurses. We also recognize the contributions and commitment of mothers and how often our strongest values are passed down from generation to generation.