“I AM A PROUD CANADIAN.” PIONEER DR. MARC RUEL STAYS IN OTTAWA - PG 4
A LIFESAVING 20TH ANNIVERSARY - PG 5
A CANADIAN FIRST: THE CFIC - PG 8
THE EXTRAORDINARY LIFE OF DR. KANTA MARWAH - PG 18
BIGGER & BETTER: GET READY TO JUMP IN™ FOR YEAR SIX! - PG 21
A NURSE’S LIFE-SAVING ADVICE - PG 23
This June marks the completion of my 5th year in this role as President of the Foundation. My goodness, time flies. There isn’t a day that goes by that I am not moved by the work I am privileged to do. I was an “out of the box” hire, with unconventional skills and a fresh perspective and I am so grateful to feel aligned with the Institute and its pursuit of excellence. My husband pointed out that in the 20 years of me working on television, he could only recall a handful of times I came home truly excited about my day. Now, he jokes, there isn’t a week that goes by where I don’t come home inspired, excited and eager to share stories. This donor community is incredibly generous, with a willingness to learn and explore what the future has in store. Your stories bring inspiration and passion to our team and your gratitude for the “gift of time” is what keeps us on our toes and on top of our game.
Our game plan holds steady as we take pride in being one of Canada’s leading cardiac centers.
Here at the Heart Institute, we felt the impact of Canadian pride as Dr. Ruel, our esteemed cardiac surgeon opted to rescind on his decision to leave for a new job in San Francisco and continue to pursue his work here at the Institute. This announcement quickly shifted our focus back to his cutting edge minimally invasive robotics program and the interest of fellows from around the world to study here in the Nation’s Capital.
Throughout our city, we saw your appreciation for Ottawa’s gem. “ February is Heart Month ” continue to elevate the Heart Institute to new heights, as we build brand awareness around the Institute and its impact on cardiac health worldwide. It was wonderful to share and celebrate the work of the STEMI Program , in its 20th year. Our community together helped raise more than 1.4 million and showed incredible support for initiatives like “ Light the Capital Red ”. We were overwhelmed by the growing support of this initiative and its building block to partner with new organizations and businesses. Traveling the city at night was like a game of “Eye Spy” pointing out and discovering new buildings glowing red in support of heart month.
Our community engagement extends to our growing Ottawa Pickleball Classic and the Wilbert Keon Memorial Golf Tournament . Jump In for Women’s Heart Health continues to bring awareness and funding to the Canadian Women’s Heart Health Center while encouraging Canadians to move for 30 minutes a day through the month of September. The Foundation team continued to empower and promote the 100 plus events that happen throughout the year supporting the Institute.
As we reflect on a remarkable year of breakthroughs, resilience, and community impact, we are deeply grateful for the generosity and dedication of those who make our work possible.
Lianne Laing President, Ottawa Heart Institute Foundation
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Dr. Marc Ruel, a distinguished heart surgeon, has made headlines not only for his remarkable surgical skills but also more recently for his steadfast commitment to Canadian healthcare during tense political times.
Renowned for making surgery safer and more effective, Dr. Ruel’s work is recognized globally. In late 2024, Dr. Ruel agreed to take on a new challenge after well over a decade at the Ottawa Heart Institute.
He was poised to take on the prestigious role of Chief of the Division of Adult Cardiothoracic Surgery at the University of California, San Francisco, a top public school of medicine.
However, he made the heartfelt decision to remain in Canada, driven by his sense of patriotism and concern for the current political climate in the United States.
“I am a proud Canadian, above all else, and I cannot in my patriotic conscience ignore what is happening,” Dr. Ruel shared on CTV earlier this spring.
Dr. Ruel has been a leader in developing minimally invasive surgical programs, making strides to ensure that Canada remains a premier destination for specialized cardiac surgery training.
Recently, Dr. Ruel received his 200th “Heart of Gold” pin from long-time supporters John and Angela Herzog. This honour reflects the profound impact he has had on countless patients and the community.
Dr. Ruel’s choice to stay in Canada made many people very happy. With his expertise and passion, Dr. Ruel is set to inspire the next generation of cardiac surgeons and continue improving the lives of patients and cardiac care for generations.
“I take pride in my work and feel grateful each time a patient reconnects, sharing that they are recovering well and living a healthier life. The Heart of Gold program connects patients with their specialized heart teams — by thanking a care provider for the excellent treatment received. Donations fuel education, game-changing research, landmark innovation, and discoveries that will provide even better care for future patients.”
LEARN MORE OR TO GIVE Dr. Marc Ruel, Cardiac Surgeon
Heart attack is a leading cause of death in Canada.
My colleagues and I developed a program for treating one of the most common forms of heart attack, called ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI).
STEMI care is all about speed — getting the patient to the catheterization lab as fast as possible to open the blocked artery.
At the onset of this type of heart attack, the clock starts ticking. The faster we act, the greater our chance of saving the patient and preventing permanent damage to the heart muscle.
2025 marks the 20th anniversary of our innovative life-saving STEMI program. More than 10,000 patients have been treated now, averaging more than 500 per year. We have shown that this treatment model reduces deaths by almost half.
Numbers like these are a testament to our collective efforts and to the power of community support.
The basis for the STEMI program’s remarkable success has been coordinating the pieces of the care delivery system. Every step of the patient’s journey works in a seamless flow.
Our decades-long research has shown that if we perform this procedure quickly, the patient has a very good chance of recovery and survival.
In 2004, our research team developed new strategies to improve STEMI patient treatment.
In the following years, we launched a citywide program to direct all STEMI patients to the Heart Institute for advanced treatment.
We then published results in the New England Journal of Medicine, showing that our program reduced mortality rates by almost half. The STEMI system expanded across the region, ensuring access to top care for all patients.
Now, the Heart Institute’s success has gained national and international recognition, with our program adopted by other cities in Canada and around the world.
Dr. Michel Le May, Director, UOHI STEMI Program
2025 Heart Month Ambassador
BY JOEL HASLAM
When David Renfroe arrived at his Ottawa office early one morning last March, he thought it would be a typical workday.
The husband and father of two started feeling uncharacteristically anxious and uncomfortable during a business call with an associate, but David had no idea he was actually having a lifethreatening heart attack.
“There was no crushing pain. The only way I can describe it is as if you’re inside a vice and someone is cranking on the vice. It’s like a claustrophobic pressure that was put right in the centre of my chest.” David said.
Twenty minutes passed. When the discomfort moved to David’s neck, shoulders and back, he took two Advil, hoping for relief.
“And almost right away, I started throwing up blood,” he said. Still, David didn’t want to believe he could be having a heart attack.
After all, he thought, he had been given a clean bill of health at his recent annual physical. He was only 51.
But as his symptoms worsened, David accepted the likely reality of his condition and reached for an aspirin-filled fob on his keychain — a gift from his wife, Rebecca.
He swallowed the aspirin and reluctantly called his wife to alert her of his condition.
“That was a tough phone call. She lost her father to a “widow-maker” heart attack and she’s had to live with that burden for her life,” said David, his voice breaking.
“That tells you what kind of man Dave is. He’s having a heart attack, and he’s worried about how that’s going to make me feel. That’s love,” said an equally teary Rebecca, recalling the phone call.
David called 911. Rebecca asked a close friend who was nearby to keep David company at his office until the ambulance arrived.
Trained in the world-renowned STEMI protocol, pioneered at the University of Ottawa Heart Institute 20 years ago, paramedics diagnosed David’s heart attack.
“I remember the paramedics looking in my eyes and saying yes, you’re having a heart attack.”
Cardiologist Dr. Derek So greeted David upon his arrival at the UOHI. “He let me know I was having a widow-maker heart attack and time was critical. We needed to move as quickly as possible.” David recalls.
“He said if I didn’t do this within 30 minutes, I’d be dead.”
David put his trust in Dr. So and the team of medical professionals working in the UOHI cath lab.
“There were a dozen people all in to save my life. They don’t know me, but they were all in to help me,” said a teary David.
Medicated, but awake for the procedure, Renfroe remembers the moment Dr. So found the blockage.
“I remember hearing him saying ‘there’s the culprit”.
Thanks to paramedics, the Stemi protocol, the team at the UOHI, and his aspirin filled fob, David Renfroe won a perilous race against time.
“I realized how close I came to losing him. But it was the luckiest day of my life,” said Rebecca.
“It’s something like 43 minutes from the time he called 911 to when I was giving him a kiss after his procedure. It’s incredible. It’s world-class. World-class care.”
“The Heart Institute saved my husband’s life and that allowed us to continue on our path as a family. That as a gift is something I can’t quantify. It’s everything. It’s everything,” said Rebecca, her eyes welling with tears.
Tears of joy also stream down the cheeks of David Renfroe, forever thankful for his second chance.
“I feel absolute gratitude to have the extra time. We don’t say thank you enough, so thank you. I am so happy to be here.”
“You are wasting your time.”
This was the feedback that I received ten years ago after submitting a research grant.
As Albert Einstein once said, “The important thing is to not stop questioning. Curiosity has its own reason for existing.” I knew I was onto something important.
Here is what you need to know:
It is estimated that up to 50 per cent of patients who undergo coronary angiograms do not show significant blockages. During a scan we mostly see the larger vessels.
However, 75 percent of the heart’s blood supply moves through a network of very small arteries (arterioles) and capillaries that are too small to be visible on most tests.
Imagine that these little vessels are more like unpaved back roads versus the major highway system of the arteries and veins. These rural roads don’t show up on your GPS.
Traditional procedures, like angiograms, detect blockages or narrowing in the major coronary
arteries. These tiny veins, the miniscule “roads,” weren’t just hard to drive on, they were barely showing up on a scan.
We can now reveal those uncharted mysteries. I am so glad I trusted the significance of the “rural backroads” back in my early days of research. I could see the impact it would have on my patients and their care one day.
That is also why I am so proud of one of the newest dedicated clinics at the Ottawa Heart Institute: The Coronary Function and Imaging Clinic (CFIC). The clinic started in October 2024 and is projected to see over 200 patients in its first year. Staff are on track to perform over 100 procedures, helping UOHI emerge as a national leader in coronary microvascular dysfunction (CMD) care.
Dr. Aun -Yeong Chong, Interventional Cardiologist
You can read Dr. Chong’s full letter here.
Little did anyone know that the young man sending off his medical school acceptance letter at Sue’s neighbourhood pharmacy would one day become the doctor who would help change her life.
Yet before that fateful meeting could happen, Sue’s years-long health crisis was reaching a pivotal point.
Sue, a pharmacist aged 54, felt that something was not quite right. Despite a healthy lifestyle she was regularly experiencing worrying symptoms and a racing heart.
Daily, her heart would go into spasm, sometimes up to 18x per day, with episodes lasting from 30 seconds up to two minutes.
She remembers: My chest pain was like someone had their clenched fist, tightening it around my heart causing shortness of breath.
I was short on answers, my quality of life had worsened, and I felt that I was fighting to be believed. I was losing hope.
Sue poured over internet search results, looking for clues. By chance, she found an online presentation from a staff member at the University of Ottawa Heart Institute.
The presenter was a young Dr. Zeeshan Ahmed, still a clinical Fellow — the very man who would change her life.
Dr. Ahmed shared research and early results from his mentor’s work, Dr. Aun Yeong Chong.
“Our patients… all their tests come back normal, but they’re suffering from chest pain. Often it is a woman in her 50s.”
Sue related to this and discussed it with her doctor. She requested a calcium channel blocker prescription. Her symptoms were cut in half.
The day Sue finally met Dr. Ahmed will be one she will never forget.
Sue and Dr. Ahmed also discovered they lived and worked in the same Orleans neighborhood.
Dr. Ahmed shares, “What are the chances? Growing up, I regularly went to Sue’s pharmacy. I even mailed my medical school acceptance letter there.”
“With the help of our UOHI’s brand-new Coronary Function and Imaging Clinic (CFIC), we can give patients like Sue the answers they need.”
Sue agreed to undergo a relatively new procedure called a provocative angiogram.
The Ottawa Heart Institute is one of the only centres in Canada that can perform this diagnostic test. Her team confirmed she had microvascular angina plus spasm of the large artery.
It was such a relief, she shares. I am part of an online support group for heart conditions. Many patients can wait at least five years for a diagnosis, if not much longer.
Another advantage of a complete diagnosis is that patients gain better access to support programs and outpatient medicine.
“We are proud to offer specialized, individualized, world-class service tailored to patients that have been overlooked,” says Dr. Ahmed.
“When planning the roll-out of the clinic, we thought we might see 50 cases a year. We’re going to achieve that target in the first three months of 2025.”
I am very grateful to Dr. Ahmed and Dr. Chong. I feel such a deep sense of relief. I am finally exactly where I need to be, says Sue.
Her heart-health journey is far from over, but she feels hopeful for the future.
Sue encourages patients to not lose hope and to always advocate for themselves.
This Heart Month we achieved something truly remarkable for your heart, your Institute, and for our future — together.
With the help of our generous community, we raised an incredible 1.4 million dollars for cardiac care.
Our community came together to celebrate heart health for all by hosting numerous events in the Nation’s Capital, the Ottawa Valley, and far beyond.
Red paper hearts adorned the checkouts of your favourite stores throughout the city.
We are immensely grateful for our community’s continued faith and support of the Ottawa Heart Institute.
Hundreds of businesses and homes were lit up in red to show support for our compassionate and world-renowned doctors, surgeons, nurses, researchers, and medical professionals.
One of our favourite February traditions is sharing stories of hope and resilience from Heart Institute patients. Award-winning storyteller Joel Haslam recently sat down with patients and doctors to share their heartfelt stories with you.
Hear from 2025 Heart Month Ambassador, and director of the STEMI program, a model now copied around the world. Plus, get a behindthe-scenes look at a rarely accessed part of the Institute: the life-saving path that a STEMI heart attack patient follows.
David suffered from a STEMI heart attack and almost didn’t return to his beloved wife, Rebecca. Arriving at the Institute, Dr. Derek So informed him that he had less than twenty minutes to perform a life-saving procedure so that this husband and father could have a chance of survival.
Kevin, an avid curler and grandfather living in the Ottawa Valley, never anticipated a health crisis on the ice. Fortunately, his friends and fellow players, including a former nurse, acted quickly and used a lifesaving automated external defibrillator (AED) to revive him.
When we take a wrong turn, our GPS directs us to alternative routes, much like what happened with Man’s heart. After tests at the Ottawa Heart Institute, he learned he needed a rare octobypass surgery and discovered that his siblings were also struggling with their heart health.
Krystal beat the odds. Doctors thought that she would need a heart transplant after going into heart failure. She had lived through years of chronic stress, then job loss, leading to her living in her car. Today she leads a completely different life and is considered on the road to heart health thanks to a supportive environment, new habits, and the care of the Heart Institute.
Sometimes, we are asked why we need to fundraise. Donations help us to provide the very best in equipment, education, and research beyond our baseline funding.
For instance, every year, special life-saving equipment is purchased through the help of our generous community. New tools and technologies help our doctors, nurses, and healthcare team provide excellent, innovative patient care, meaning fewer wait times, less discomfort, and better recovery outcomes for people like you and your loved ones. Meet our staff and learn about a few examples of special equipment* we need to fundraise for this year:
Infusion Pumps are used throughout the entire hospital to provide critical medications to our patients during their care journey. These technologically advanced little pumps ensure that medications are delivered at the right dose and time through safety features like a drug library. As our fleet reaches end of life, we look forward to replacing them with more advanced pumps that will add additional safety features confirming the right drug, dose, rate, time, and patient, through integration with our electronic health record system.
Costs: 420 are needed at $4,000 each = estimated $1.6 Million
Our beds are the ‘foundation’ of patient care. Our fleet is aging, and we’re looking to upgrade our oldest med/surg and critical care beds, which are now over 20 years old. In addition, we are looking to acquire a second bariatric bed for our med/surg fleet to assist with the changing demographics.
Med/Surg Bed Costs: (16) are needed at $8,250 each = estimated $1.3 Million
Critical Care Bed Costs: (5) are needed at $50,000 each = estimated $250,000
Bariatric Bed Cost: (1) $36,000
To learn more about supporting life-saving equipment, please contact: jroback@ottawaheart.ca.
*These images are examples of equipment only and may not represent exact models or brands to be purchased. All costs are best estimates at time of printing. Photo credits: Ivenix, Hillrom, Resmed, Getinge, Siemens, UOHI 2023.
High-flow oxygen therapy is now the gold standard for oxygen therapy within critical care. This device will enable the use of high-flow oxygen therapy for our patients outside of critical care, potentially preventing the need for admission. Our new physicianled RACE teams will be able to provide this therapy anywhere in the Institute, eliminating the need to find a critical care bed.
Costs: (5) are needed at $8,600 each = estimated $43,000
When a patient undergoes heart surgery, the team sometimes needs to stop the heart while performing life-saving heart surgery. When that happens, a Heart-Lung Machine takes over the job of the patient’s heart and lungs temporarily. Our current fleet of machines now needs to be replaced.
Costs: (5) are needed at $350,000 each = estimated $7.5 Million
How will it make care better? A second MRI machine is needed to help reduce wait times and improve patient care. Our MRI machine will run well for another few years, but we need a replacement now to help reduce wait times and care. Imaging is essential for testing, diagnosis, and new research.
Cost: $4.2 Million
“Having a second MRI machine means we can lessen wait times, do more clinical care, and expand research and collaborations with other groups and scientists.”
- Dr. Ian Paterson, Co-lead of the Cardiac MRI Program and director of the Canadian Centre for Rare Cardiac Conditions.
How will it make care better? We need to replace our heavily used CT scanner to improve patient care and wait times.
Cost: $4.9 Million
“Our commitment to cutting-edge research is unwavering and an extra CT scanner would bolster our research capabilities and contribute to advancements in cardiac imaging technologies. This investment will elevate the UOHI’s ability to provide high-quality cardiac imaging services and positively impact patient care.”
- Gerri-Anne Kay, Director, Cardiac Imaging
“Supporting the Heart Institute is not just a financial obligation; it represents a sincere investment in the heart health of our community. Every dollar I contribute reflects my profound gratitude for the outstanding care I received during some of my most vulnerable moments. There is also an incredible sense of fulfillment that comes from being part of something greater, something bigger, and working together to positively impact the lives of those the Heart Institute serves.”
Gerald J. Kavanagh, grateful patient & donor
Thanks to our dedicated donors, we have been able to significantly enhance cardiac care for our community, driving breakthroughs in treatments and innovations that truly make a difference.
In recent times, we have eagerly resumed our celebrations of generosity that were once overlooked when the Institute was less accessible to the public due to COVID-19.
PHOTOS CLOCKWISE: The Victor Family with Dr. Ruel and Dr. Beanlands. The Marleau family with Dr. McGuinty and Lianne Laing. The Bell family with Lianne Laing. The Pantieras Family. Celebrating Michèle Tenace with Lianne Laing, Katey Rayner, Chief Scientific Officer and Vice-President Research, and Foundation staff.
Both my daughter and I have had to use your expertise this past month. My daughter underwent heart surgery, and I have been going in for heart-related tests. I am amazed at how efficient and friendly the entire team is. You make us feel like we are special and that you care. I am amazed. Thank you, everyone, for being such warriors. I know you have had to go through so much these past few years. Yet you keep on smiling. You really do make a difference to those of us who are there.
– Sue
Thank you to your staff for their amazing care of our family members over the years — our nephew Hayden, this summer; our stepdad, Duncan, last fall; and our Mom, Fern. The Heart Institute’s health care team is just phenomenal!
– Tom & Jane
I recently (last 30 days) had Triple Bypass (CABG) surgery. For someone like me, who had never had a hospital stay in their life, this was a frightening experience to face. Your WHOLE team made this experience well-educated, boosted my level of comfort, and truly manageable. From the moment I was scheduled till the time I was released, the pre-hab, the surgical team, the support team in the ward made you feel like you were the most important person on this earth.
– Paul
also appreciate the world-class excellence of the contributions by your team of specialists/ researchers to cardiac-related advances.
– Philip
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My wife, France, and I think of you every day for your expertise and dedication in our heart surgeries and for the wonderful follow-up. We
I had a stent put in at the OHI in 2010 when I was 59 and as a result, I still play hockey today!
– Mike
To Dr. Boodwhani, Catherine and the HI team, Thank you for your amazing, lifesaving, and lifechanging work. Our family will be forever grateful.
– Beverley, Peter & Charlotte
I would like to thank the Heart Institute’s staff for their attention and care to every detail during my care at the hospital. I had a defibrillator implant procedure done. Yes, the doctors are great, but the nurses are the flag bearers of care, understanding and knowledge that contributes to the efficient dispensation of care.
– Randy
26 years ago, Dr. Keon performed a double bypass on my father, after a “walking heart attack.” Thanks to his quick intervention, dad got to meet his last grandson later that same year, enjoyed family trips to Italy, Germany and Holland on a river boat cruise, the Panama Canal, multiple family trips to Magog, Prince Edward County, Kingston, Vermont, Ogunquit. He had a beautiful retirement filled with so many good times.
– Nicole
Do you have a heart story to share?
Please visit: foundation.ottawaheart.ca/learn/ or email foundation@ottawaheart.ca.
W
e asked two professionals in tax and gift planning what are the top things you should consider before you write a cheque to your favourite charity.
“Gift planning is about building a bridge between a donor’s vision for change and the charity’s mission to make that vision a reality.”
When it comes to supporting charitable organizations, gift planning can make a profound difference for both the donors and the charities they wish to support.
One of the most compelling reasons individuals engage in charitable giving is the desire to leave a legacy. Many want to ensure that their values and passions continue to benefit society long after they are gone.
A donor’s wish to help the next generation and address significant social issues can be achieved through various forms of planned giving, including bequests, gifts of insurance, and gifts of securities.
“Effective gift planning isn’t just about donating; it’s about fostering a relationship between the donor and the charity. It’s an ongoing conversation that centres around the donor’s values and objectives”, shares Erin Meisner, a financial advisor.
One of the most impactful ways to give is by giving a bequest. A person can pledge a specific amount through their will, making it easy to provide support without affecting their current lifestyle or the amount they would like their loved ones to receive once they are gone. Bequests can be unrestricted, allowing charities to allocate funds where they are most needed.
Gifts of insurance are also an excellent way for a charity to receive a donation as part of an estate. A policy can also be gifted to a charity during a person’s lifetime. Regardless of the method chosen, donors must work closely with charity representatives to align goals and ensure that the gifts are used effectively.
“When we align our financial goals with our values, we can create a change that resonates beyond our immediate circles,” says Jennifer.
Jennifer helps families redirect their tax dollars to support causes that are meaningful to them, creating a profound ripple effect in their communities.
Gifts of registered securities can be an incredible way to offset your tax bill and give to charity at key life transitions.
For example, Susan, a recent retiree, might give a gift of registered securities in her first year after retirement to offset a larger-than-usual tax bill.
James, an entrepreneur about to receive an influx of cash from the sale of his business, might consider doing the same.
“I believe that together, we can create a world where everyone has the tools and resources to make informed financial choices and give back in meaningful ways.”
Erin Meisner, PFA, CHS, MFA-P, EPC Associate Director & Professional Financial Advisor Desjardins Financial Security Independent Network
Jennifer Dawe, CPA, CA and Tax Partner, Hendry Warren LLP
Chartered Professional Accountants To learn more about making a gift to your Heart Institute, please contact: Selva TrebertSharman at 613-696-7251 or strebert@ottawaheart.ca
HER LIFE IS A COLLECTION OF REMARKABLE “FIRSTS”.
As a scholar, a trailblazer, and a dedicated philanthropist, Dr. Kanta Marwah exemplifies a life well-lived, reminding us all of the importance of giving back to our communities and investing in the future.
Kanta would go on to make history as the first female Ph.D. student of the renowned economist Professor Lawrence R. Klein at the University of Pennsylvania, an Ivy League institution.
She established herself as a pioneer in the field of economics, and in 1967 would join Carleton University as its first female professor in the Department of Economics, eventually becoming the university’s first female Full Professor of Economics, her tenure lasting over four decades. On her retirement, she was awarded the designation of distinguished research professor and professor emeritus.
When you first meet Kanta, you immediately notice a few things: the twinkle in her eye, her incredible warmth. Despite her petite frame and age, her razor-sharp wit and indomitable spirit shine through.
Her dedication to her community’s healthcare, especially its heart health, led her to make a transformational donation to the Ottawa Heart Institute Foundation. Its residents continue to be a source of motivation that drives Kanta forward.
“Heart health is a critical area where we can make tangible differences in people’s lives,”she expressed when speaking about her decision to support the Institute.
Her exceptional gift of a million dollars will help to purchase a new MRI and fund research into the intricate links between the brain and heart in cardiac health. Her investment will benefit generations of new patients and their families.
“When we go, we go empty-handed,” is one of her core beliefs. She wants to give all she can during her lifetime.
Her other reason to give: her parents.
“What I feel, what I do…it is all because of the values my parents have instilled in me.”
Growing up in India, she witnessed devastation after a flood as a young girl.
Kanta vividly remembers her mother’s selflessness. She diligently helped her neighbours, bringing them to safety and opening her home’s doors to those in need.
Even after all this time, she still considers her parents role models and an enduring example of generosity and resilience.
An Ottawa resident still, Dr. Marwah, embraces it as her hometown. She lives in a stylish downtown condo full of art, keepsakes of many trips abroad, her past adventures on full display. For decades she travelled extensively but was always happy to return.
In every room of her residence, she has black and white photos of her dearly loved parents, siblings and extended family. Her philanthropic accomplishments are her own, but as she likes to say, it is her values that she has inherited.
Kanta is a benefactor of almost every major organization in Ottawa. She has founded scholarships and endowments at Carleton University, the National Arts Centre, and the Ottawa Cancer Foundation, to name just a few.
“What I am most proud of is not just my own accomplishments, I’ve worked hard, but the lives I’ve been able to touch and inspire,” she notes, looking back on her wide-ranging career.
Today, Kanta has become more introspective, reflecting on her legacy.
“What brings me joy is seeing others thrive, knowing that I played a small role in their journey,” she says, echoing the sentiment that drives her motivation to keep giving.
Dr. Kanta Marwah’s life story is remarkable not just because of the barriers she has broken but also because of her lifelong, deep-seated, and relentless commitment to uplifting others.
The University of Ottawa Heart Institute Foundation is deeply honoured to have Dr. Kanta Marwah as a donor and friend.
When women know their risk factors, they can make informed decisions about lifestyle changes and treatment. While in the clinic, these are he factors team members look for when assessing a patient’s overall well-being and cardiovascular disease risks:
• Blood pressure: Get your blood pressure checked regularly.
• Cholesterol: Know your cholesterol scores.
• A “heart-healthy” diet: Balance your nutrition with healthy fat, protein, fiber, whole grains, fruit, and vegetables.
• A healthy weight: Watch out for “tummy” or visceral fat that can develop in mid-life and has been linked to an increased risk of heart disease.
• Diabetes risk: Know your family history and monitor any symptoms.
• A good night’s sleep: Make sure you get the right amount of sleep for you. Prioritize seven hours a night to start.
• Smoking: There is no safe amount of nicotine. However, there are more and more cessation tools to help you manage and quit smoking.
• Alcohol: For current cardiac patients, we now know that there is no safe amount of alcohol. For women in the general public, we recommend a limit of two drinks per week.
• Stress management: Actively manage your stress levels and triggers.
• Daily physical activity: Move daily in any way you can. Try for 30 minutes total. It all adds up!
For more tips, tools and heart healthy resources, please visit: cwhhc.ottawaheart.ca.
We still have a lot of advocacy, education, and work to do, but it all starts with us.
It’s working up a sweat while cleaning the house and listening to the radio.
It’s playing pickleball at your community court with neighbours.
It’s going on a solitary, peaceful hike through the forest.
It’s strolling through a farmer’s market with a friend or touring an art gallery.
It’s anything that gets you moving and feeling good.
Thousands of Canadians have joined JUMP IN™ for women’s heart health. Women’s heart health has been historically under-treated, underdiagnosed and under-researched. Unite in a movement for change.
Registration includes a free ticket to an Ottawa Rapid
Step 1: Register
Your registration fee of $30 gives you access to a supportive online and in person community cheering you on for your 30day activity journey, plus invites to special events, promotions and unique offers.
Step 2: Get Active
Nationally and locally, we support, inspire, teach, and encourage each other to get and stay active.
Step 3: Share Your Journey
Research shows that when you publicly commit to a health challenge, you have better results. Plus, your friends will join you!
Step 4: Raise Funds & Friends
This easy and social challenge is open to everyone of all ages and abilities. Although fundraising is not mandatory it is appreciated and helps to fund research, education and advocacy efforts.
BY ZANDRA KOOPMAN, RN
As an Advanced Practice Nurse, I’m pleading with you to hear this story – it could save your life.
This article is an excerpt from a longer interview in partnership with the Honest Talk and Ottawa Heart Institute Foundation. Read the full article at www.thehonesttalk.ca.
I am frustrated with how familiar this patient story has become:
It took four emergency room visits for a woman to be diagnosed with myocardial infarction with no obstructive coronary artery disease (MINOCA) – a lesser-known cardiovascular disease that primarily impacts women. Her heart disease symptoms coincided with stressful events in her life, including a divorce.
Instead of getting the cardiac care she needed, her family doctor prescribed antianxiety medication.
I have heard a version of this story too many times to count. I want to change the outcome for other women just like her. However, I am just one person. The more people who are armed with this knowledge, the better.
Recently when I presented at a major hospital, most healthcare providers knew very little about
women’s heart health symptoms and treatment. Much of this research and information is new and really emerging within the last five years.
I can say for certain that when I graduated from my nursing program in 2011, there was no mention of women’s heart health in our curriculum.
“These women are at higher risk for cardiovascular disease: the 52-yearold non-smoker with diabetes, the younger woman who just went through a complicated pregnancy with gestational hypertension, and the woman entering menopause who might still be on birth control.”
Women are most likely to present with 3+ symptoms, in addition to chest pain.
OTHER COMMON SYMPTOMS:
PROFOUND
Women’s changing hormones impact their heart health at different ages and stages of life. One of the biggest influencers in terms of hormones on heart health is perimenopause and menopause. As women approach menopause, they start to lose their estrogen. Estrogen helps keep our blood vessels nice and bouncy, with good elasticity, so that the blood can flow nicely.
Once we remove estrogen, blood vessels can harden, increasing the risk of high blood pressure. Loss of estrogen also leads to high cholesterol and weight gain, especially in the form of visceral fat or tummy fat.
The timing of menopause is also an important consideration. If you start menopause before the age of 45, that puts you at a higher risk for heart disease.
For many women mid-life can bring an increase in stress, depression, and anxiety. We now know that women experience emotional stressors (like a divorce or loss of a loved one) in a way that can precipitate a cardiac event called spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD). In male patients with SCAD, on the other hand, it is more likely related to their own physical overexertion.
At the women’s heart health clinic, we see patients with SCAD, MINOCA, and high-risk pregnancies like pre-eclampsia or gestational diabetes. SCAD and MINOCA are much more likely to present in women, and high-risk pregnancies elevate women’s cardiac disease risk.
“The typical symptoms of heart attack are chest pains. ‘I couldn’t breathe and called 9-1-1.’ That’s not what we always hear from women. As women we tend to over explain, and oftentimes medical staff will attribute our symptoms to our mental health not our heart health.”
We are still learning all the time. For instance, for patients with a MINOCA diagnosis, initially we may not know what has caused it or how to treat it, and the process can take a while. The disease can present in ways that are far from a “typical” heart attack. I have patients that had a sore neck, have been tired for a week, and had pain in their right arm, not their left arm.
Unfortunately, that is why they sometimes delay getting help. I’ve had people say, “I was going to make a physio appointment. I thought I slept funny, and then I ended up in the emergency department,” usually because a family member persuaded them to go.
As an Advanced Practice Nurse, I share this information with as many women and healthcare providers as possible when I am out in the community. I aim to empower women to understand the signs and take control of their health with more knowledge.
The Wilbert Keon Memorial Golf Tournament presented by ServiceMaster.
In June, we held our fourth sold-out annual Wilbert Keon Memorial Golf Tournament. We want to express our gratitude to all those who have supported us through donations, partnerships, and to those who have golfed. We were delighted to offer a new course experience at the legendary Ottawa Hunt & Golf Club.
Over $305,500 was raised to support groundbreaking research, world-class care, and the education of the next generation of healthcare professionals. This tournament was inspired by the memory of the much-loved Institute co-founder, Dr. Wilbert Keon.
Learn more about this prestigious charity event: wilbertkeonmemorialgolftournament.ca
Ottawa Pickleball Classic presented by CHG Meridian.
On May 4th, 2025, the Ottawa Pickleball Classic returned for its third year, defying all expectations by doubling the number of teams year over year and raising over $100,000 to support cardiac care in your community. We were also proud to offer mobile heart screening and health checks onsite to our players and spectators. Next year, the event will return to the EY Centre and be even bigger.
Keep a lookout for when registration opens in spring 2026: ottawapickleballclassic.ca
This May, #TeamHeart’s runners participated in the Tamarack Ottawa Race Weekend and raised over $30,000 for important Institute priorities. Staff, patients, alumni, friends, family, and supporters raised funds and their pulse for an excellent cause. Many past patients and staff, especially from our Cardiovascular Rehabilitation team, impressed with their passion and athleticism.
BY JOEL HASLAM
Pakenham’s Kevin Ryan is forever grateful for a day he barely remembers, and to some quick-thinking friends who brought him back to life.
“I was in the right place at the right time with the right people around me. They were there, and they didn’t hesitate. Thank God,” Kevin said.
It was a Monday night playoff game at the Arnprior Curling Club when competitors heard the sound of someone falling to the ice.
“I was calling the Skip’s rock into the house when I went over,” said Kevin.
Gail Gray, a curler and friend of Kevin’s was also playing that day.
“I looked around and could see Kevin was down. I knew right away it was bad,” she recalled. Steve Hailstone was also there.
“Instantly, you realized there were no vitals. He wasn’t breathing,” he said.
For many, it looked like Kevin wasn’t going to make it.
Curler Bruce Knox echoed that fear.
“You’re kind of in shock. You’re saying this can’t be real, but it was real,” said Bruce.
But Gail Gray jumped into action. The former nurse urged someone to call 911, began CPR and mouth to mouth on Kevin, fuelled by thoughts of Kevin’s wife, Karen and their grandchildren.
“A flash of Karen and her grandsons went through my brain, and I thought, ‘I’m in one hundred percent’”, she recalls.
Steve Hailstone was all in too. He activated the rink’s defibrillator.
“I shocked him and he was back up,” he said, snapping his finger.
“My brother said it was the hardest call he ever had to make,” said a tearful Karen.
Karen, a former nurse, rushed to hospital in Arnprior to wait for Kevin’s arrival by ambulance.
“I remember I just grabbed his hand and said ‘we’ve got this, we’ve got this together’”, she said.
Doctors confirmed Kevin’s cardiac arrest and told him he would be transported to the University of Ottawa Heart Institute.
“I was just so thankful to know that’s where he was going,” said Karen.
Dr. Marc Ruel would be Kevin’s surgeon.
“He said Kevin, your maker came for you but you cheated him. One in ten survive what you went through,” said Kevin.
Kevin required a triple bypass to open his blocked arteries.
“I just can’t say enough about the Heart Institute. We are so lucky. Those folks couldn’t do enough for you. True professionals.”
Dr. Ruel told Kevin he expected him to make a full recovery and continue to be as active as he was before the heart attack.
“And that’s proved to be exactly right,” said the passionate golfer and curler.
After 12 days in hospital, Kevin would return home to Pakenham, but not his home. Karen had Covid, and until she was no longer contagious, Kevin would stay with his brother, just a few doors away.
“I know they were really nervous about that and they probably called Karen a whole bunch of times, but they were good,” said Kevin, his voice breaking while recounting the memory of his homecoming.
“It was wonderful. It was emotional. It was hard. But he was home,” said Karen, her eyes filled with tears.
Eventually, Kevin would have the opportunity to say thank you to the friends who saved his life at the curling club.
“He sat and looked at me for what seemed like the longest time. Then he stood up and walked towards me and said, ‘I have to give you a hug’,” said Gail Gray, fighting back tears.
“Now I’m going to cry,” she laughed.
Steve Hailstone, who shocked Kevin back to life, is a two-time patient of the University of Ottawa Heart Institute. He first saw Kevin again at the Arnprior Curling Club.
“It was emotional. I gave him a hug and it was nice,” said a teary Hailstone. And what were those emotions about?
“Just that he was there,” he said with a smile.
And for Kevin and Karen Ryan, that’s everything — a priceless gift from life-saving friends, and a world-class Institute.
BY JOEL HASLAM
Man Nguyen is the family member everyone had leaned and counted on.
But when the devoted caregiver suddenly needed care himself, the University of Ottawa Heart Institute was his lifeline. An octuple bypass surgery would ensure Man had a future with his family.
“I have two daughters and they look up to me and count on me too. If I’m not around it will be tough for them,” said Man.
Man was cutting the grass in June of 2024 when his life was about to change.
“I cut two strips when I feel like I have to sit down and stop. It’s just not normal.”
Man couldn’t understand why he was feeling dizzy and unwell. Some members of his family had heart issues, but he was fit and active. He ran marathons and triathlons.
Cardiac care was not on his radar.
“I never thought it would happen to me,” he said.
Man’s doctor sent him to the University of Ottawa Heart Institute where various tests revealed his arteries were severely restricted. He remembers seeing the imaging.
“I said, ‘There isn’t one artery that’s clear. Everything has some restriction.’”
Man had likely not yet had a heart event because his heart naturally developed a number of collateral arteries — natural pathways rerouting blood flow around the blockages to maintain circulation.
Doctors initially scheduled him for a stent procedure in the Heart Institute’s Cath Lab, but later determined he would need open heart bypass surgery.
Man’s nephew, Tuan Nguyen works at the UOHI and knows of its life-saving work. However, he never imagined that his uncle would be a patient in need of cardiac surgery.
“Learning that my uncle needed cardiac surgery was a shock. We didn’t think this was going to happen to him. We never had a family member who went for heart surgery before.”
“To say, ‘I need heart surgery.’ No one could believe it,” Man says, fighting back tears.
The prospect of surgery worried Man. He is also the primary caregiver of his 92-year-old mother living with dementia.
“The only thing that crossed my mind is who is going to take care of my mother and who is going to take care of my family. That’s the hardest part,” he said.
Man’s devotion to his family is deep. His life here was forged by his parents who fled Vietnam by boat in 1978 with their children, surviving days on rough seas and months in refugee camps to fashion a new beginning in Canada.
“Myself, my mother, my siblings and my Dad. We went almost to death in order to come here. That memory is always in the back of my head.”
Surviving his surgery to become vibrant and active again was Man’s only goal. During a nine plus hour procedure, UOHI Cardiac Surgeon
Dr. Hadi Toeg would perform an octuple bypass surgery.
“Physiologically we’re just giving more blood flow. So wherever there is a blockage we’re literally going around that blockage and bypassing that area,” said Dr. Toeg.
“Because this young man had multiple blockages within the artery, we had to make extra skip lesions or skip connections, and that is why we end up doing so many bypasses. So, it’s not an uncommon thing that we’re doing more and more of.” The surgery was a success, as was Man’s recovery.
“Less than two weeks later, I was walking outside and within a month I was walking enough distance that I was able to go back to UOHI to join the Cardiac Rehab Program,” said a smiling Man.
“Sometimes I like to think of myself as a ‘Heart Historian,’ actually putting my history degree to use! It’s a privilege to help families remember their loved ones and honour their wishes,” shares Selva TrebertSharman, the Foundation’s Associate Director of Legacy Giving.
Selva has worked at the Foundation for the past 18 years and at the Institute for 22. She believes, along with her team, that every donor’s story is unique and deserves to be remembered. When we gather for staff meetings, we often share inspiring tales of our Legacy Donors — individuals whose generous contributions leave lasting impressions on the lives of countless families.
Take the Monette family, for example. The Monettes were well-known in parts of Ottawa and Quebec. Their family’s lumber and trucking businesses, Monette Cartage, stretched back generations. Eugene Monette ran the business with his brother for years. As his son Pat shared,
“He was the only man I knew who would thank you when he gave you your pay cheque.”
In addition to being a kind and generous leader, Eugene was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather who courageously faced the challenges of heart disease. Undergoing lifesaving heart surgeries at the Heart Institute, Eugene recognized the profound impact the Institute had on him and his family. “He believed in the Heart Institute because they really helped him,” his daughter Deborah recalled. Helped him be well enough to care for Helen, his wife of 59 years, when she fell ill and required specialized care. Determined to stay by her side, Eugene would tell the staff at the care home, “I’m not going anywhere without her”.
Inspired by the life-saving care he received, Eugene chose to leave a legacy gift, naming the Ottawa Heart Institute beneficiary of his life insurance policy. His decision ensured that generations to come benefited from the Institute’s cutting-edge medical care and pioneering research.
Eugene’s granddaughter Jessica felt a deep connection to his legacy, describing a “fullcircle” moment when she was referred to the Heart Institute’s Postpartum Program.
“Knowing my grandfather’s gift would help me and my baby is incredibly meaningful,” she said.
Eugene’s story illustrates the fact that legacy gifts are measured by their impact, not their size. Every donation helps advance innovative patient care, education, prevention, and ground-breaking research for patients battling heart disease.
Join us in making a difference. By considering a gift to charity in your estate plans, your legacy can inspire others and contribute to a hearthealthy future.
To learn more about legacy giving, please contact: Selva Trebert-Sharman at 613-696-7251 or strebert@ottawaheart.ca
spend 21 cents for each dollar we raise (not including investment income). This cost is a demonstration of our commitment to good financial stewardship.
Statements are available at www.foundation.ottawaheart. ca. The Foundation is accountable to you, our donors, to ensure every donation is directed to meet the funding priorities of the University of Ottawa Heart Institute. You help fund investments in education, resources for the next generation of cardiovascular healthcare professionals, ground-breaking research, the purchase of specialized life-saving equipment, and innovative patient care. Thank you for your continued trust and support.
The gift of time means something different to each of us. Every day at the Foundation, we are privileged to hear and share extraordinary stories from patients and their families. It takes courage and grace to reveal personal health struggles. We appreciate everyone who reaches out with their histories of survival and strength. Please consider sharing your heart story to help future patients and their families while recognising the positive impact of the professionals at the world-renowned Ottawa Heart Institute.
We are always looking for stories to use in a variety of ways, including our work with the award-winning storyteller Joel Haslam and our Heart Month series.VISIT: foundation.ottawaheart.ca/give/#story.
Cardiologist Dr. Derek So and Joel Haslam filmed a procedure for Heart Month video series.
University of Ottawa Heart Institute Foundation 40 Ruskin St. H-1220, Ottawa, ON K1Y 4W7 613-696-7030 | foundation@ottawaheart.ca HeartInstituteFoundation heartinstitutefoundation the-university-of-ottawa-heart-institute-foundation HeartFDN
