Heart Month 2023: Celebrating Heart Teams

Through her work on various CCS committees, our new CCS President has seen firsthand the power of collaboration and mentorship. Her work as a member of the Access to Care working group, Chair of the CCS Guidelines Committee, Scientific Program Chair, Editor-in-Chief of CJC Open and her recent service as Vice-President, inspired the two goals she has set for her two-year term: 1) to strengthen CCS efforts to work together, to embrace new people and ideas, to promote a culture of respect, and to ensure the CCS becomes an even more welcoming professional home, and 2) to invigorate mentorship and support for our trainees.

What can you do?

• Read Michelle’s recent President’s Message in the Canadian Journal of Cardiology.

Did you know that over 1 million Canadians are affected by heart valve disease, yet public awareness of the disease is shockingly low. On February 22nd, Heart Valve Voice Canada, the CCS, and the Alliance for Aging Research, are collaborating to raise awareness of HVD.

But, the work doesn’t stop on February 22nd. The CCS Heart Valve Disease Working Group is working to address gaps in heart valve diease care.

What can you do?

• Find out what the Heart Valve Disease Working Group has planned.

At the recent CCC 2022, delegates gathered for a special networking session to discussion the many facets, challenges and opportunities women face in the workplace. We spoke to Laurie-Annie Boivin-Proulx, Co-Chair of the CCC Trainee Program Planning Committee, who helped organize the event.

What can you do?

• Watch Laurie-Anne share her thoughts on the importance of conversations about women in cardiovascular sciences.

Each year, the Canadian Cardiovascular Society Academy (CCSA) funds a number of promising Canadian medical students, graduates, post-graduate trainees, and basic scientists-in-training to attend the Canadian Cardiovascular Congress.

What can you do?

• Watch Have a Heart Bursary recipients tell you what being a bursary recipient means to them!
• Donate. Support the next generation of cardiovascular specialists by making a donation to the CCSA.

In 2019, the CCS profiled close to 100 women, CCS members, who work in all facets of cardiovascular health and care. This Heart Month, we shine a spotlight on just a few of those women who are important members of strong heart teams, some trail blazers, others quiet leaders.

What can you do?

• Get to know these inspirational women.

• See the 2019 Women in Cardiovascular Medicine and Science booklet.

The success of the CCS mission depends on people who provide a
diversity of backgrounds, experiences, ideas and perspectives as
members and leaders. Through the work of the EDI Committee, the
CCS is setting priorities and action plans to uphold and advance our EDI values. This work is inspired by learning from a recent member survey on EDI.

What can you do?

• Read the survey results.
• Listen to our Chair of the EDI Committee explain the important work ahead for the CCS to be more inclusive.

As our Diamond anniversary came to a close, Dr. Chi-Ming Chow,
and his colleague, Rachel Lu turned the spotlight on 11
outstanding members of heart teams, past, present and future.
Find out how each has contributed greatly to the advancement of
our collective knowledge about cardiovascular health, care and
research.

What can you do?

• Read about these inspirational inviduals.

Join the CCS today and take advantage of the many benefits, programs, services and opportunities that will help advance your career, support the important work you do for patients and the cardiovascular community. 

The future of cardiovascular health and care is bright and all of our close to 2,500 members are lighting the way.

Thank you to all members of Heart Teams.