WASH study – Same product in Canada has more salt

World Action on Salt and Health (WASH), an international group of experts and stakeholders, has released a report showing that some products sold in Canada have more salt relative to the same products sold in other countries. In cases, the Canadian versions have multiples of the salt relative to the same products sold in the USA or United Kingdom. The sole designated spokesperson in Canada for WASH is Dr. Norm Campbell, a member of the Libin Cardiovascular Institute of Alberta and CIHR Canadian Chair in Hypertension Prevention and Control. You can watch his interview on the CTV News Channel by clicking the image below (you’ll need to watch an ad first):

Study Press Release – click HERE

Dr. Campbell was interviewed by several other media outlets for print, radio and television. A sample of the coverage is listed below:

Globe and Mail – LINK

“Most people have no idea how much salt they’re getting,” said Norm Campbell, a professor of medicine at the University of Calgary and Canadian Chair in Hypertension Prevention and Control. “Canadians should be outraged by this.”

Canada.com – LINK

Radio-Canada (French) – LINK

Global National (click image):

UCalgary Medicine article – LINK

To read more articles regarding ‘too much salt’ and items containing comments from Canada’s leading expert on hypertension Dr. Norm Campbell, click HERE.

To learn about the Canadian Hypertension Education Program (CHEP), a national program led by Dr. Norm Campbell, click HERE.

Did you know …

More than 5.7 million Canadians are diagnosed with hypertension!

Israel Belenkie – 2009 CCS Distinguished Teacher Award

Every year, the Canadian Cardiovascular Society (CCS) acknowledges one individual from across the nation for their excellence in teaching over the long term in any of the cardiovascular fields. The 2009 Distinguished Teacher Award will be presented to Dr. Israel Belenkie at the 2009 CCS Awards Reception the evening of October 25th during the Canadian Cardiovascular Congress.

Dr. Belenkie, or Sonny as he is known by those close to him, was the first full-time cardiologist at the University of Calgary in 1973. His involvement with training has been virtually continuous since that time and has always been seen as exemplary by those whom have had the privilege of being his students. His passion for his craft and for the patient is almost legendary.

Related story at the UCalgary Medicine web-site – click HERE

Congratulations Dr. Israel “Sonny” Belenkie on the ripples of impact you’ve had on so many.

Libin Institute Training Programs Accredited

We are very proud to congratulate Program Directors, Dr. Lisa Welikovitch (Cardiology) and Dr. John Burgess (Cardiac Surgery), and their respective Residency program committees in the recent Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada Accreditation Approval of these programs.

Cardiac Surgery Training Program – Six Year Accreditation:

Cardiac Surgery is the branch of surgery concerned with diseases of the pericardium, heart and great vessels. Upon successful completion of the program a trainee is expected to function as an independent consultant with respect to the diagnosis and management of patients with cardiovascular disease, including the provision of surgical intervention and postoperative care.

The program was reviewed and commended for its knowledgeable, committed and experienced program director as well as the imaginative Residency Program committee. Reviewers from the RCPSC also commended the collegial and close working relationship at one site in cardiovascular, cardiology, CV anesthesia and CVICU.

Core Cardiology Training Program – Seven Year Accreditation:

The objective of the Core Cardiology Training Program is to encourage the development of outstanding clinical skills in an atmosphere of academic inquiry.

Upon completion of the training program, trainees will have been exposed to a broad range of clinical cardiology experiences and will be well equipped for independent practice, or may choose to pursue further training with a view toward an academic career in cardiovascular research and/or education.

The program was recognized by the accreditation team as having a dedicated program director who is well-respected by residents, faculty and senior administration as well as residents who take ownership and pride in their program and education. The program was noted to be a collegial learning atmosphere where learners are challenged to attain knowledge and supported in doing so. Finally the program was commended for its strong educational components, diversity, and acuity of clinical material, and its enthusiastic committed faculty.

Learn More:

Visit the Libin Cardiovascular Institute of Alberta portal’s Education page for more information on the above programs as well as other programs offered by the Institute, including sub-specialty fellowships and graduate education.

- Shauna Wilkinson

In memory of Dr. George Emmerson Miller

Dr. George E. Miller

September 29, 1919 – June 20, 2009

By the time Dr. George Emmerson Miller arrived in Calgary in 1945, he had already received his B.Sc. and MD degrees from the University of Alberta and served as a Captain in the Canadian Medical Corps during World War II. After a period away at the Mayo Clinic he specialized in cardio-thoracic surgery and attended the University of Minnesota obtaining his M.Sc. in surgery, Dr. Miller returned to Calgary in 1956 as the city’s first cardio-thoracic surgeon. Leading the Holy Cross Hospital’s cardiac surgical team, he conducted the first open heart by-pass surgical procedure in the city on October 17 1962. After a long and successful career as a hard-working, skilled and gifted surgeon, a pioneer, leader, and a Professor Emeritus at the University of Calgary, Dr. Miller retired in 1993, but continued to provide volunteer cardiac counseling at the Kerby Centre. In 2002, the City of Calgary honoured this humble, dedicated, kind healer with the Grant MacEwan Lifetime Achievement Award. This award recognized George Miller’s devotion to improving the quality of life of his patients and his significant contributions to his community. Throughout his life he always believed and taught others that: “The patient is number one – the patient is the most important person in the room.”

During an interview with Barbara Kermode-Scott on February 6 2009, for the History of the Cardiovascular Sciences in Southern Alberta project, Dr. Miller shared the following:

“We have come a long, long way since 1957. It has never been dull and there has been some hard slogging against formidable odds. The constant support and faith of Administration helped us achieve excellence… The cardiovascular group at the Holy Cross worked hard for many years…. I can tell you honestly though that I never felt stressed. I never felt tired… I loved it day and night, anytime.”

Calgary will miss you Dr. Miller.

Our condolences to George’s wife, Marilyn, to his children, grand-children and all his other family members.

Podcasts from ACC 2009

2009 marked the 25th anniversary of the Annual Cardiology Conference at Lake Louise (see Libin Life 2009 issue 1 page 3). This major conference, led by Dr. W. Peter Klinke of UBC with co-directors including Dr. J. Wayne Warnica of the Libin Cardiovascular Institute of Alberta, has always enjoyed exceptional participation and attendance from our Institute. This year was no exception and the following podcasts are a sampling …

Canadian Cardiovascular Society Workshop: The Many Different Faces of Heart Failure
Dr. Jonathan Howlett and Dr. Debra Isaac
> Accompanying Slides <

New Approaches to Imaging in Acute Infarction: The Role of CT and MRI
Dr. Matthias Friedrich

Bigger Is Not Better: How to Shrink a Failing Heart
Dr. Paul Fedak

A more comprehensive set of podcasts can be found at the ACC website. The web-site will also provide information on ACC 2010 – the 26th installment!

CIHR awards $4.5M to Institute Members

The Canadian Institutes of Health Research recently announced their latest funding decisions that included several members of the Libin Cardiovascular Institute of Alberta. The total amount awarded for the research projects listed below is almost $4,500,000!

Andrew Braun

Endothelial ion channels, nitric oxide and the cellular mechanisms regulating vasorelaxation

Sarah Childs

Genetic control of artery and vein specification

William Cole

Molecular Basis of Calcium Sensitization in the Arterial Myogenic Response

Jonathan Lytton

Feeding Behaviour & Satiety: Cellular & Molecular Physiology of the K-Dependent Na/Ca-Exchanger, NCKX4

Justin MacDonald

Smoothelin like-1 interacts with apo-calmodulin and tropomyosin to regulate Ca2+-dependent contractile signaling in vascular smooth muscle cells.

Hude Quan

Assessment of hypertension occurrence, management and outcomes in Canada

Hude Quan

Effect of Physician Alternative Payment Plans on the Completeness and Validity of Administrative Data

Congratulations all around!