The MUHC Foundation has a bold vision for cardiology

Globally, heart disease is the leading cause of death for adults. So, when a heart gets sick, it makes sense that we’d want our loved ones to get the best care possible. That’s why, at the MUHC Foundation, we’re supporting the McGill University Health Centre (MUHC)’s world-class cardiologists as they work towards a better understanding of heart disease, its origins, and develop personalized treatments that stop it in its tracks. A hallmark of the MUHC’s Cardiology Department is its diversity, which cultivates an ecosystem of innovation that is establishing Quebec as a global leader in a heart research and care.

“I’m incredibly proud to lead one of the premier cardiac research and education programs not just in the country but in the world. What sets the MUHC’s Cardiology Department apart is that it refuses to stagnate—people here dare to think differently and are not afraid to fail, and that’s what leads to medical breakthroughs,” says Dr. Atul Verma, Director of the MUHC’s Cardiology Department.

“I see incredible opportunity at the MUHC – it’s a world class institution and it attracts world-class talent.” – Dr. Atul Varma

The reputation of the MUHC and its long-standing history of cardiology research and care is what made Dr. Verma move from Toronto to Montreal two years ago, when he first began his role as Director of the MUHC’s Cardiology Department.

(l-r) Dr. François Tournoux, Director of the MUHC’s  Non-Invasive Cardiology and Echocardiography Lab; Dr. Patrick Lawler, Director of the MUHC’s Coronary Intensive Care Unit; Dr. Elvin Kedhi, Director of Interventional Cardiology at the MUHC

“I was very happy with the transition,” shares Dr. Verma. “As much as I enjoyed my time in Toronto, I saw incredible opportunity at the MUHC – it’s a world class institution and it attracts world-class talent.”

Dr. Verma has been an exceptional asset to the MUHC’s Cardiology department. He represents the high-grade innovation that the hospital is known for, and his impact on the department is already being felt far and wide. He arrived with a strong vision and desire to re-build the team, even looking beyond Montreal and Quebec to bring in the best and brightest minds from wherever they might be.

Dr. Judy Luu, a women’s heart health cardiologist and Director of the Cardiac MRI Research Program, was also attracted by the MUHC’s renowned Cardiology Department. “I feel very privileged to be a part of this team, not only is it very inclusive and supportive, but it has this collaborative spirit that drives the highest level of impactful research and care,” shares Dr. Luu.

Before moving to Montreal, Dr. Luu completed her cardiology residency at the University of Manitoba and pursued a prestigious women’s heart health fellowship in Los Angeles with world-renowned expert Dr. Noel Bairey Merz.

At the MUHC, Dr. Luu launched POWERHub (Pathways to Cardiovascular Care for Women from Ethnic, Racialized, and Remote Communities), a vital MUHC-based heart health initiative focused on mitigating risk factors and increasing access to care for women from disadvantaged groups.

“A lot of ethnic minorities are not a part of research, but at the MUHC we have the resources to make research more diverse and inclusive, which is what we’re doing with POWERHub,” she further explains. Dr. Luu is a catalyst for innovation and an inspiring advocate for equity in health care, and her work is establishing the MUHC as a leader in accessible heart care.

“I want people to think of the MUHC when they think of heart care, and specifically heart care for everyone,” says Dr. Luu.

“I’m incredibly proud to be a part of this team, to contribute to its impactful mission and internationally recognized research excellence. The future looks very bright here.” – Patrick Lawler

In 2023, the MUHC Foundation brought renowned McGill and Harvard trained cardiologist Dr. Patrick Lawler to the MUHC, where he assumed the position of Director of the Coronary Intensive Care Unit. He was awarded the MUHC Foundation’s inaugural Rising Star Award, which is a unique and prestigious award that helps bring talented physicians from around the world to Montreal, ensuring Quebecers have access to the very best health care.

“It’s rare to find world-class clinicians and talented researchers all in one place, but the MUHC has both. I’m incredibly proud to be a part of this team, to contribute to its impactful mission and internationally recognized research excellence. The future looks very bright here,” shares Dr. Lawler.

Dr. Lawler was the recipient of a prestigious Fulbright scholarship, which gave him the opportunity to study vascular biology in Sweden at the Karolinska Institute, one of the world’s foremost medical universities.

Throughout his work, his patients have always remained his top priority. Dr. Lawler emphasizes the importance of patient-centred care, including their active involvement in the treatment process. “We’re leading the way in innovative cardiac research because we’re able to bring it directly to the patient, and that’s the benefit of the MUHC’s unique bench-to-bedside approach,” states Dr. Lawler.

Dr. Mark Liszkowski has been recently appointed as the MUHC’s Director of the Heart Failure and Heart Transplant Program, a role he is determined to make his own. He describes his vision as follows:

“At the MUHC, we’re establishing a cohesive, multidisciplinary heart program, where everyone works in synchrony with one another,” says Dr. Liszkowski.

He reaffirms the importance of a patient-centred care model, which ties into the collaborative nature of the department. Everyone, including the patient, is empowered to participate in the care process. This model gives us a better understanding of what the patient needs, and how we can work together to achieve this in the most efficient way.

“This is the magical moment where all of us can come together and not just work like a big general hospital with different cardiology services. Everything will be concentrated right here,” explains Dr. Liszkowski.

There’s one thing that’s clear: the proximity of the MUHC hospital and its research institute allow for a unique approach to research and patient care. It incorporates these two critical components in a way that other care centres cannot, because they don’t have the same resources.

“The MUHC is not only an institution—it’s a transdisciplinary network, an expansive ecosystem of disruptive thinkers who innovate across all barriers. We’re building a culture where we encourage each other to reach as high as we can, and this is why so many talented people are excited to partake in this life-changing science,” shares Dr. Verma.

The MUHC Foundation is especially proud to support the exceptional cardiology department through our $50M Dream Big: Fix Broken Hearts campaign.

“You have these incredible researchers with a diverse, world-class education, and to have them choose Montreal and the MUHC as their home, it’s a great privilege. This is something that our foundation is very proud of, bringing the brightest minds to offer the best possible care to patients,” says Marie-Hélène Laramée, President and CEO of the MUHC Foundation.

Visit our website to learn more about how you can support the MUHC’s cardiology dream team. Every dollar counts and ensures that the MUHC has every resource it needs to fix broken hearts. www.muhcfoundation.com 

The MUHC Foundation is accredited by Imagine Canada for excellence in non-profit accountability, transparency and governance. https://muhcfoundation.com