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To date we have achieved the following:
You may be interested to note that during the year, the average number of visitors to our website has grown from 30,000 to 40,000 a month! We invite you to have a look regularly for the latest developments.
Every dollar of your donations is being used to fund worthy projects at the Heart Institute that are important for patient care, but for which there might not have been sufficient funds. Please continue to be a supporter. I wish you could all hear the thanks expressed regularly by the recipients of your generosity. In the coming year, building on our strengthened infrastructure and the start of a number of initiatives, we will concentrate on:
Among these three areas of focus, we are placing a high priority on expanding our membership to maintain a strong voice when representing you, helping ensure the continuation of the excellent services at the Institute, and increasing the benefits of membership in the Alumni. If you know of others who are patients or ex-patients of the Heart Institute, please remind them of the Alumni and encourage them to join.  Dennis Doucette, Yvon Ferrand, Joyce Puddy, Judy Hamelin, Ross Wilson, and Gaston Tessier working the phones at the 2008 Heart Institute Telethon An organization can achieve success only with the hard work of many dedicated individuals. This is even more critical with a volunteer organization such as ours. On your behalf, I would like to thank our Board of Directors for their faithful attendance at meetings and the many hours they have devoted to the accomplishments I mentioned earlier. In particular, I would like to thank our Executive Committee of Denny Doucette, Past President, and Ted Legg, Secretary-Treasurer, who spent hundreds of hours discharging their duties and providing me with extensive assistance throughout the year. During the Annual General Meeting (AGM), we presented the newly-established Alumni Volunteer Award. The first and most deserving recipient is Angie Ross who has supported the Alumni since its inception in the late 1980s and as Executive Director for the past 20 years. She was honoured by our founder, Mary Clinckett, who wrote a personal letter of thanks for all of Angie's support, especially during the challenging years when she was establishing the Alumni. Angie is now concluding this role and we are looking for an experienced individual who is prepared to volunteer about 60+ days a year as Chief Administrative Officer to oversee our volunteers and ensure that our Office operates optimally. A considerable honorarium and free parking are provided. If you are interested and/or need further information, please contact me directly at jph2336@hotmail.com. We are delighted to announce that Karen Charron, Richard Lindo, Ann Stolarik (second term), and Karen Meades were approved at the AGM as Directors for the 2008-2010 term. Their experience and enthusiasm are most welcome. No doubt everyone will benefit from their contributions over the next 2 years.  New Directors Karen Meades, Richard Lindo, Ann Stolarik and Karen Charron I hope that the foregoing has provided you with useful insights into what your Board has accomplished and what is planned for 2008/09. I welcome your comments and suggestions through mail, e-mail or phone message to the office. I will be pleased to respond to you directly. As we look ahead to Thanksgiving and the winter to come, I wish you good health and the love of your family and friends.  John Herzog
Fall Lecture - October 14, 2008
If you have been to the Heart Institute and visited the second floor, you are probably familiar with the Minto Prevention and Rehabilitation Centre's Cardiac Rehabilitation Program (CRP). Staff offices circle the perimeter of the state-of-the art cardiovascular exercise facility, commonly referred to as the H2 Track. We recently chatted with Patricia (Pat) O'Farrell about the program and the new initiatives designed to improve access for patients. As Clinical Manager, Pat is responsible for the CRP's multidisciplinary program. Team members deliver inpatient and outpatient care. The program aims to prevent recurrent cardiac events and enhance patients' health by delivering physical, social and emotional care and managing patient risk factors. As Pat shared with us, "Cardiac Rehabilitation adds life to years and years to life".  Patricia O'Farrell, RN, BScN Clinical Manager Minto Prevention and Rehabilitation Centre University of Ottawa Heart Institute The inpatient team includes physiotherapists, social workers, dietitians, an occupational therapist, a neuropsychologist and a speech pathologist who provide care for the hospitalized patients. For outpatients, Pat works with a team of physicians, nurses, and psychiatrists, as well as a psychologist, vocational counselor, social worker and dietitian. Pat also manages the Program's administrative staff. The demand for cardiac rehabilitation services is increasing steadily and will continue to grow as the life expectancy of Canadians rises and the baby boomers enter the high-risk age category for heart disease. Furthermore, cardiac care has advanced so that hospital stays and recovery periods are substantially shortened. The situation demands a new approach to cardiac rehabilitation (CR) programming and patient recruitment. As a result, the CRP has recently reorganized and Pat and her team are making changes. She told me they have focused on the three Rs: 1) reconfigure processes; 2) redeploy staff; and 3) regionalize programming. The changes include an automatic CR referral, more CR program options and a standardized, integrated approach to CR across the Champlain District. The Champlain District has a population of 1.2 million people and includes Ottawa-Carleton, Prescott-Russell, Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry, Lanark, Renfrew County, Leeds and Grenville. Pat explained that all Heart Institute patients are now automatically referred to the program. With this new process, the CR staff see every patient at the bedside, explain the program and arrange an appointment. This automatic referral approach is unique to the Heart Institute. Consider that elsewhere in Canada and the world only 20 percent of eligible patients participate in any cardiac rehabilitation program. A number of new program options have been developed to meet the individual needs of patients. Many take advantage of new technology and involve training people to deliver the program in other centres. Pat indicates that this shift away from the "one size fits all" approach is new to the cardiac rehabilitation field. It delivers the right program to the right patient at the right time and in the right place. Patients can now choose from a range of options. Depending on their medical needs, some patients may participate in a 4, 8 or 12-week program at the Heart Institute. Others may choose a telephone-based case-managed home program. This option appeals to people living outside Ottawa or those whose situation makes it difficult for them to get to an on-site program. There is the Brief Program for those looking for exercise guidelines only. Residents near the Pembroke Regional Hospital may choose a program modeled after the Heart Institute on-site program. The new Heart Wise Program is being developed in partnership with public recreation facilities in Ottawa-Carleton that meet Heart Institute criteria. Fitness instructors are specifically trained to deliver programs that are safe for people with heart disease. At present, there are ninety classes available at thirty different locations in Ottawa. For locations, visit the website: www.ottawaheart.ca/UOHI or call 613-761-5240. The plan is to make the Heart Wise Programs available throughout the Champlain District. We asked Pat to share some of the program results with us that are a direct consequence of this focus on the three Rs. To demonstrate the dramatic impact of the changes, she replied that, in the first year, the program had a thirty-percent increase in participants and significantly reduced wait times! Specific examples of improved wait times:
When it comes to patient access, program options are important. The Heart Institute is working with referring regional hospitals to develop CR programs in their communities. These new regional initiatives will be featured in the Fall issue of the Alumni Newsletter. The bottom line for Pat is that by increasing program options and reaching patients early in hospital, more people benefit. Working with patients and families helps everyone to build lifelong healthy living habits. (Reported for The Bulletin by Ellen Corkery-Dooher)
No one was more surprised to learn he had heart disease than John McMerty. Physically fit, he had run 10 to 15 kilometres a day for nearly 30 years. In the gym every day, eating properly, John was in "pretty good shape" and doing everything to prevent any problems with his heart.  John McMerty It was a "major surprise to me." They put three stents in and John's experience with the UOHI began. "It may sound strange," he told us, "but it was a wonderful experience." John knew Pat O'Farrell (featured elsewhere in this Bulletin) who, realizing he would not sit still, got him into the rehabilitation program. His goal was to get into shape and this was not difficult. The main thing, John said, was to pay attention to everything they told him. He learned to understand his personal threshold and how much he could do as he progressed over two months. John did not, as some patients do, experience depression. For patients who do, there is support to help them through this period. Staying involved is key. Since John was an active person, he appreciated why "cardio" is so important. And he began sharing that information with others who were not sure why there was so much focus on exercise that "works the heart." As John noted, the heart is a muscle - and the most important one to keep strong. It is essential to start slowly and to get advice; this is where the UOHI rehabilitation program has a huge role to play. Once the program ends, staying motivated is tricky, especially for patients who have not made exercise a daily habit. John likened exercise to maintaining your car engine. Regular maintenance is key to preventing breakdowns and surprises. "Many people slip back into their old ways. You can't stop when you walk out the door of the UOHI." This is not a choice - exercise and eating well have to become part of your daily "life system". John now has his own "life system". Every day he does his cardio at his gym in the morning and then returns at lunch to work on other parts of the body such as his abdominals or arms. Going to the gym can be intimidating - especially working out with the "larger male products," he joked. This is why John likes the idea of the Heart Healthy programs offered in local communities with support from the UOHI. "A lot of people are afraid to start exercising after an incident with their heart." That's where the UOHI programs come in - offering a safe and supportive way to begin exercising and adopting healthy habits. "I can't say anything bad about the place," John told us. "There are a lot of staff - nurses and physiotherapists there to help us. People need to take advantage of these services. They need to ask questions and understand why they are doing something. If you understand why, you are more likely to stick with it." John is making a difference for patients. In addition to sharing his story one-on-one, he is involved with the UOHI. If you watched the Telethon this year, you may remember John McMerty sharing his rehabilitation success with viewers. John was the first patient on the accreditation committee and he is on the committee that helps organize the annual Fuller-Keon golf tournament. Despite his very full plate, John wonders if there isn't more to do in helping to motivate patients. "Once you get past the critical point of initial survival, how do you stay motivated?" He thinks it might be a good idea for patients like him and you to volunteer directly with UOHI patients to support them on their journey. Highly energetic and focused, John is clearly committed to making a difference in the lives of those touched by heart disease and those who so far have been lucky enough to avoid it, but need to be aware in order to prevent an attack in the future. (Reported for The Bulletin by Ellen Corkery-Dooher)
 Debbie Aitken, RN, BScN Champlain Hospital-Based Smoking Cessation Network Manager Smoking is a key risk factor in heart disease. We are all familiar with the benefits of quitting smoking. But thinking about it and doing it are two entirely different things. That's where the Smoking Cessation program can be a real catalyst in helping smokers to tackle this challenge. The Hospital-Based Smoking Cessation Program was developed by Dr. Andrew Pipe and Dr. Robert Reid. Initially established in the early 90's, it began strictly as an outpatient clinic. However, Dr. Pipe and Dr. Reid quickly recognized that the Heart Institute had a large number of patients who were being treated for cardiac disease related to smoking and who could benefit from such a program. Today the goal of the program, run by Debbie Aitken, RN, is to identify and offer treatment to every admitted smoker, using best practice guidelines. Now called "The Ottawa Model", it includes the following elements:
The program helps identified patients remain comfortable while in hospital as they wait for treatment and provides them with confidence and strategies to stay the course when they go home. As Debbie noted, taking this opportunity to provide a program at the bedside enables the nurses providing smokingcessation counseling to intervene at a "teachable moment". It is known that advice from a health professional about quitting smoking can increase quit rates by up to thirty percent! Smoking cessation counseling can be delivered as part of routine nursing care in less than 10 minutes. Quitting is a process and if the program can help make these individuals more comfortable in the hospital by addressing their withdrawal symptoms, they can go home with more confidence and have a good chance of remaining smoke-free. Followup, in the form of IVR or interactive voice recognition, provides the support needed for long-term cessation. Pharmacotherapy helps smokers deal with their symptoms of withdrawal such as cravings while they are in the hospital's smoke-free environment. Once patients leave the hospital, they can choose to continue pharmacotherapy. Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) provides a door to new behavior and remaining smoke-free. While some people may worry that they are still taking in nicotine during this period, Debbie stressed that it was important to avoid exposing the patient, and others, to the over 4000 harmful chemicals related to the combustion of tobacco or second-hand smoke. The program views these cessation aids as core tools to help patients achieve success. The Heart Institute also provides smoking-cessation support on an outpatient basis. Once a month, there is an hourlong Information Session for interested members of the public. There is a nominal fee ($25). Smokers who are not yet ready to quit are also welcome to attend. Attendees can contact the program for a series of individual counseling sessions that will assist them with a quit plan. Those who want to quit are encouraged to start by making their home and car smoke-free. Does the "Ottawa Model" work? Yes! The program has reported a fifteen-percent increase in long-term cessation rates (from 35% to 50% at six months). In fact, the program is so successful (and cost-effective) that 16 hospitals have adopted the model since January of last year. Ten hospitals in the Toronto area are in various stages of implementing the program. As Dr. Reid noted in his interview, British Columbia and New Brunswick are also adopting the "Ottawa Model". The Ottawa team is growing and, as you can see, it has a broad reach and helps to facilitate implementation of the program in other hospitals. More importantly, the program is helping people quit smoking and is making a significant dent in addressing a major risk factor in cardiac disease. "Quitting smoking is one of the hardest things to do," Debbie told us. Somewhere between 77 and 80 per cent of smokers want to quit. The program is in place to help support those who are ready. If you would like to have more information about the UOHI Smoking Cessation Program, please call: UOHI Quit Smoking Program, 613-761-5464 or Toll Free, 1-866-399-4432. (Reported for The Bulletin by Ellen Corkery-Dooher)
An enthusiastic crowd of about 170 people attended the Annual General Meeting of the UOHI Alumni on June 3, 2008 at the Nepean Sportsplex. The new venue was pleasant, providing a spacious room, plenty of free parking and good food. The evening began with words of welcome from our President, John Herzog, followed by Treasurer Ted Legg's presentation of the Annual Financial Report and the Auditor's Report. Mr. Legg thanked Alumni members for their generosity and reported that donations in kind had doubled due to the new tax rules. Past President Dennis Doucette presented the report of the Nominating Committee and four new members were approved. Finally, Director Hubert Drouin summarized the changes to the Alumni Constitution and By-Laws and they were approved unanimously. All of this business was dispatched with remarkable speed in an attempt to rival last year's record of thirty-seven minutes. One alumnus was heard to say, "If only things could be done that way at City Hall..."  After dinner, John Herzog called on Dr. Chris Glover to present the 2008 Wilbert J. Keon Award for Trainee Excellence on the part of a resident or fellow in training at the Heart Institute; this award is endowed by the UOHI Alumni. Dr. Glover explained that this year two candidates so impressed the Selection Committee that, for the second time in the history of the award, the Committee recommended two recipients:
John Herzog then presented the Mary Clinkett Alumni Award to Frances Allan who has been working with the Hypertension Unit since 1993 managing its outpatient program. She now teaches other nurses, medical students and family doctors; she has gained regional and national recognition as an outstanding speaker and trainer. She was promoted last year to Clinical Nurse Manager.  Mary Clinkett, founder of the Alumni, was its first executive Director, followed by Angèle Ross from 1991 to 2008. Angie is a member of the Heart Institute Department of Anaesthesiology. Former president Dennis Doucette presented her with the Alumni Volunteer Award to acknowledge her countless contributions to the directors, other volunteers, members of the Alumni and, ultimately, to the UOHI and its patients, adding that "her record will stand as a model for excellence in volunteerism." Angie is the first recipient of this award and her contributions have indeed set the bar high for others to follow.  Finally, Board Director and Nursing Care Coordinator Anne Stolarik introduced her former patient, popular TV host Mike Duffy, who regaled the delighted audience for about 30 minutes of witty commentary, referring to both his status as a heart patient and to his impressions of the political scene. He spoke to the crowd as fellow patients, expressing his feelings of tenderness and gratitude to the Heart Institute and including a tribute to spouses "Thank God they're there." He admitted that he hates exercise, although he works with a trainer three times a week for an hour; he couldn't resist a reference to the "physioterrorists." Duffy got a huge response to his medical jokes but then became more serious, urging us as taxpayers to understand the government's reluctance to get into heavy spending programs given the need for continuously growing investment in healthcare and underlining our responsibility to contribute. The evening ended with a hilarious Question and Answer session where he shared some secrets about politicians past and present. If laughter is good for the heart, we all left the Sportsplex in better shape, looking forward to the next AGM in 2009.  (Reported for The Bulletin by Judy Hamelin)
If you wish to donate publicly traded securities such as stocks, rights, mutual funds, interests in segregated funds or bonds, to a charitable organization, the taxation on capital gains generated by the disposition of such donated securities has been eliminated, according to taxation legislation enacted May 2, 2006. Previously, a donation of securities where capital gains were generated, the donor had to pay tax. Now the taxation on the gains is deemed to be zero for tax purposes when the financial instrument is donated to a charitable organization. Furthermore, the donor receives a tax receipt for the fair market value based on the date when the securities are received by the charitable organization. The tax receipt of course can be applied as part of the donor's annual income tax return and reduces taxes payable. It is also important to note that the donated securities must be transferred to the charitable organization in kind (i.e., by transferring the actual shares and not simply transferring the cash). This involves the use of stockbrokers by each of the two parties involved. We encourage you to consider the implications of this relatively new legislation and consult your financial advisor on the best way to optimize your gifting. To find out how to donate shares to the Heart Institute, please contact Josée Quenneville at the Heart Institute Foundation at 613-761-4524, or by email at jquenneville@ottawaheart.ca.
Don't miss this luxury vacation adventure. "Cruise for the Heart" with Marlin Travel and help raise funds for the University of Ottawa Heart Institute! Marlin Travel has secured special pricing aboard Princess Cruises newest ship the Ruby Princess departing February 21st on a spectacular 7-day Western Caribbean Cruise from Ft. Lauderdale. Call the professionals at Marlin Travel:  
Source: National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute: Stay Young at Heart - Cooking the Heart-Healthy Way (www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/heart/other/syah)
Yield: 6 servings - Serving Size: ½ cup
Each serving provides: Calories: 144, Total fat: 2 g, Saturated fat: less than 1 g, Cholesterol: 92 mg*, Sodium: 235 mg
Presented by: Although a woman's heart looks very similar to a man's heart on the outside, we are finding out that it is affected by heart disease in quite a different way. Women need to understand how to stay "heart healthy" and to recognize the first signs of heart disease. In this presentation, we will examine the gender differences in coronary disease as they relate to the risk factors, different presentations and current recommendations for prevention of heart disease in women. The issue of hormone replacement therapy will also be discussed. When: Tuesday, October 14, 2008 at 7:30 PM (light refreshments at 7:00 PM) Please call 613-761-4370 to confirm your attendance at this highly relevant lecture. Spouses and guests welcome.
The Bulletin is published in Ottawa by the Ottawa Heart Institute Alumni Inc., a not-for-profit corporation located at 40 Ruskin Street. It is distributed free to members of the Ottawa Heart Institute Alumni and contains information on health and other matters of interest to members. Contents do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the Board of Directors, nor does the Ottawa Heart Institute Alumni Inc., nor the producers, nor the printers and distributors of the publication assume any responsibility for opinions expressed. All communications and contributions should be sent to the address below. PUBLICATIONS MAIL AGREEMENT NO. 40045889 RETURN UNDELIVERABLE CANADIAN ADDRESSES TO: The Bulletin Editor Editor: John P. Herzog Contents are copyrighted and may not be reproduced without permission. The Bulletin is intended for general information only and is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment for specific conditions. You should seek medical advice for any specific health issues and consult your physician before starting a new fitness regime.
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The past year has been a very busy but a rewarding period for the Alumni Board. As you will recall, we identified three areas of focus, those being communications, outreach to patients outside Ottawa-Gatineau, and improving the effectiveness and efficiency of our Board and administrative operations.
Sweet potatoes and bananas combine to make a flavorful low fat custard made with evaporated skim milk and no added fat.