Advancing leadership in cardiac care

A spirit of innovation and excellence has long driven UHN to the forefront of medical research and patient care. Thanks to a recent $3-million donation from an anonymous donor, UHN has established the Chair in Electrophysiology Leadership within the Peter Munk Cardiac Centre. This Chair will support the Medical Director of Electrophysiology, with Dr. Andrew Ha as the inaugural chairholder. This Chair will enable Dr. Ha to advance electrophysiology research, education, clinical care and quality improvement, potentially unlocking advanced treatments for patients with heart rhythm disorders.

Electrophysiology is one of the fastest-growing subspecialties in cardiology, focusing on the diagnosis, prediction and management of heart rhythm abnormalities, including atrial fibrillation (AF), the most common heart rhythm disorder in clinical practice. AF is a significant health issue in Canada, affecting approximately 3% of the population, which translates to more than one million Canadians. Thanks to this generous donation, UHN is poised to unlock discoveries in this field that will transform health outcomes for patients worldwide.

“Given the global scale of cardiac issues, innovation in electrophysiology is paramount to advancing cardiac care,” says Dr. Heather Ross, Loretta A. Rogers Heart Function Chair, Pfizer Chair in Cardiovascular Research and UHN site lead for the Ted Rogers Centre for Heart Research. “The support of this Chair will empower Dr. Ha and our team to pioneer groundbreaking techniques and treatments, raising the bar of care at the Peter Munk Cardiac Centre and beyond.”

As a global leader in the fight against cardiovascular disease, the Peter Munk Cardiac Centre’s capacity to drive medical advances is further enhanced by the appointment of Dr. Ha, who brings a wealth of expertise and a passion for advancing the field to the position. Much of Dr. Ha’s research focuses on patient-centred outcomes, particularly related to AF. His methods include using clinical trials and the use of “real-world” registries and administrative databases to generate impactful research that benefits clinicians, patients, and health policymakers. The establishment of a Chair allows Dr. Ha to have the dedicated time, space and resources to advance critical research alongside his normal work.

“This generous donation will further our ability to provide world-class care to our patients,” says Dr. Barry Rubin, Medical Director and Chair of the Peter Munk Cardiac Centre. “Thanks to the extraordinary generosity of our anonymous donor, we are positioned to make significant strides in the realm of electrophysiology. This will have a substantial impact on patient outcomes, ensuring all our patients receive the highest standard of care possible.”

The Chair will empower Dr. Ha and his team to push the boundaries of what is possible in the treatment and management of heart rhythm disorders, ensuring that UHN remains at the cutting edge of cardiovascular care.