Awards

• 2023 Canadian Women’s Heart, Brain and Vascular Health Advocacy Award
• 2023 Canadian Women’s Heart, Brain and Vascular Health Investigator Award
• NEW: 2023 Canadian Women’s Heart, Brain and Vascular Health Trainee Award 
• 2023 Best Rapid-Fire Oral Presentation
• 2023 Best Poster Presentation
• NEW: Women with Lived Experience Top Choice Award 

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2023 Canadian Women’s Heart, Brain and Vascular Health Advocacy Award

Recognizing visionary contributions as an advocate for the heart, brain and vascular health of women in Canada, through mobilizing others to increase awareness and take action to reduce women’s risk of heart, brain and vascular diseases or support their management of these diseases. 

What is Advocacy? 

Advocacy represents the strategies developed, actions taken and solutions proposed to influence decision-making to create positive change for people and their environment for a particular cause. It is how we transform public attitudes into action by educating, empowering and supporting individuals and communities. 

Why an Advocacy Award?

The 2023 Canadian Women’s Heart, Brain and Vascular Health Advocacy Award recognizes the contributions of an individual working to improve the heart, brain and vascular health of women in Canada through advocacy, awareness, and support. The award recognizes the outstanding commitment in mobilizing women and/or health professionals to take heart, brain and vascular health seriously and act to reduce women’s risk of heart, brain and vascular disease.

The award was presented to the winning individuals during the closing ceremonies of the Canadian Women’s Heart Health Summit on Saturday, April 29 2023. The winner received a recognition plaque and a cheque for $500.

Award Categories

One winner was awarded for each of the following two categories:

1. Healthcare Professional/Researcher: A clinician, researcher or clinician scientist 
2. Patient Advocate: A woman with lived experience includes those living with heart disease, stroke, and/or vascular conditions and caregivers of those with lived experience (family or informal caregiver/friend).

The Selection Committee evaluated nominees on the following criteria: 

• Mobilizing Communities – building knowledge and skills of the community to advocate for programs and policies regarding women’s heart, brain and vascular health.
• Fostering Coalitions and Networks – engaging the community and other stakeholders in identifying key community issues that affect women’s heart, brain and vascular health. 
• Promoting Community Awareness – support public awareness campaigns about women’s heart, brain and vascular health in the community.
• Changing Organizational Practices – collaborating with others to advocate for the implementation of policies and procedures about women’s heart, brain and vascular health within organizations and groups.

Application Process

Nominators completed the online submission form with the following details:

• Provide contact details for both the Nominator and Nominee. 
• Describe the advocacy efforts of the nominee and explain why you believe the nominee qualifies for this award.
• Upload at least one (1) letter of support
• Letter of support criteria:  
  • Letter of support must not be written by a family member or relative
  • Must state how they know the Nominee and for how long
  • Must have knowledge of Nominee’s activities and experiences

Nominees may be healthcare professionals, researchers, and women with lived experience currently living and/or working in Canada. Previous winners will not be eligible. 

Award Recipients

2023 Winner	Shahin Jaffer, MD, MHSc, FRCPC ​Clinical Professor of Medicine University of British Columbia Division of Community General Internal Medicine Internal Medicine Consultant, Fraser Health Authority Vancouver, BC
2021 Winner	Tara Sedlak, MD, FRCPC, MBA Co-Chair, Canadian Women's Heart Health Summit Cardiologist, Vancouver General Hospital and British Columbia Women’s Hospital Medical Director, Leslie Diamond Women's Heart Health Clinic  Clinical Associate Professor, University of British Columbia Vancouver, BC
2018 Winner	Marion Martell Woman with Lived Experience Women@Heart Program Ambassador and Support Leader Canadian Women’s Heart Health Centre Manotick, ON
2016 Winner	Sonia Anand, MD, PhD, FRCPc Professor of Medicine and Epidemiology Director of the Chanchlani Research Centre Director of the Vascular Medicine Fellowship Program  Senior Scientist Population Health Research Institute  Canada Research Chair in Ethnic Diversity and Cardiovascular Disease Heart and Stroke Chair in Population Health Associate Chair of Equity and Diversity, Department of Medicine Hamilton, ON

 

2023 Canadian Women’s Heart, Brain and Vascular Health Investigator Award

This award will recognize contributions of an investigator to the heart, brain and/or vascular health of women in Canada, through advancing inquiry and knowledge of women-specific heart, brain and vascular health issues to ultimately reduce disease risk, improve the quality of life, and prevent premature death. 

Why an Investigator Award?

The 2023 Canadian Women’s Heart, Brain and Vascular Health Investigator Award recognizes the contributions of an individual working to improve the heart, brain and vascular health of women in Canada through contributions to science. The award recognizes the outstanding commitment of emerging investigators to advancing inquiry and knowledge of women’s heart, brain and vascular health with the goal of ultimately improving quality of life, and reducing disease risk and premature death. 

The award will be presented to the winning individuals during the closing ceremonies of the Canadian Women’s Heart Health Summit on Saturday, April 29 2023. The winner will receive a recognition plaque and a cheque for $500.

Categories

1. Senior Investigator Award: A researcher who, at the time of application, has assumed their first independent research position more than 15 years ago.

2. Early-Career Investigator Award: A researcher who, at the time of application, has assumed their first independent, research-related appointment within five years. The date of first appointment will be based on the date listed in the Common CV (i.e., under Employment). Given that career progress for an early career investigator (ECI) is particularly vulnerable to normal life circumstances, the CWHHS Research Sub-Committee will adjust the eligibility window, as follows:

• Eligible leaves (e.g. maternity, parental, medical, family medical, bereavement) will extend ECI status (i.e. will not be counted towards the maximum) and will be  credited as twice the amount of time taken;
• No adjustments are provided for professional leaves (e.g., training, sabbatical, administrative). No adjustments are provided for time spent on non-research related duties or for the pursuit of non-research related career activities.

Evaluation Criteria

The Canadian Women’s Heart Health Summit Research Sub-Committee evaluated nominees on the following criteria: 

1. Relevance to women's heart, brain and/or vascular health and inclusion of sex- and gender-based plus analyses.
2. Novel aspect or significance of the work, other related grants and awards, and the role of collaborators. 
3. Impact of the research.
4. Demonstration of a confirmed, full-time academic or research appointment at the time of submission

Nominees may be healthcare professionals, researchers, or organizations currently working in Canada. 

Award Recipients

2023 Winner: Senior Investigator	Satish R Raj, MD, MSCI, FRCPC Professor, Cumming School of Medicine, Department of Cardiac Sciences Chief, Cardiac Arrhythmia Service Medical Director, Calgary Autonomic Investigation and Management Clinic Director of Education, Libin Cardiovascular Institute Calgary, AB
2023 Winner: Early-Career Investigator	Sandra Dumanski, MD, MSc, FRCPC Nephrologist | Assistant Professor Director, Kidney ReACH (Reproductive And Cardiovascular Health) Initiative Libin Cardiovascular Insitute, O’Brien Institute for Public Health, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary Calgary, AB
2021 Winner	Jodi Edwards, PhD Scientist And Director, Brain And Heart Nexus Research Program Director, UOHI Population Outcomes Research Unit University of Ottawa Heart Institute Adjunct Scientist, ICES Associate Professor, School Of Epidemiology And Public Health, University Of Ottawa Ottawa, ON
2021 Winner	Amy Yu, MDCM, MSc, FRCPC Assistant Professor, Department of Medicine, University of Toronto Stroke Neurologist, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Center Toronto, ON

NEW: 2023 Canadian Women’s Heart, Brain and Vascular Health Trainee Award 

This award recognizes scientific merit and excellence in research design and performance, as well as the presentation of the research abstract by a resident, fellow, or graduate student in a training program. Trainees must be students enrolled full-time in a program of study (medical school, health professional school, graduate studies, residency, fellowship, etc).

Evaluation Criteria

1. Relevance to women's heart, brain and/or vascular health and inclusion of sex- and gender-based plus analysis (SGBA+). Refer to the CIHR modules. 
2. Novel aspect or significance of the work and impact of the research. Refer to CIHR guideline.

Application Process

Trainees will be able to select whether they would like their abstract to be considered for the Trainee Award within the online abstract submission process. Trainees are asked to evaluate the percentage (%) of their contribution to the research based on the following categories: Design, Analysis, Writing, Reviewer. 

Award Recipients

2023 Winner

Rebecca Crosier, MD Member, Knowledge Translation and Mobilization Working Group, CWHHA Cardiology Resident University of Ottawa Heart Institute Ottawa, ON | @beccacrosier

2023 Best Rapid-Fire Oral Presentation

The 2023 Canadian Women’s Heart Health Summit included an award for Best Rapid-Fire Oral Presentation. The person judged as preparing and delivering the Best-Rapid Fire Oral Presentation receives a plaque of recognition and an award of $250. Rapid Fire Oral presentations were  judged by the 2023 Canadian Women’s Heart Health Summit Review Committee, based on the following criteria: 

• Originality 
• Design and methodology 
• Supporting data 
• Quality of presentation 
• Presenter stays within allotted time 

Award Recipients

2023 Winner	Rebecca Crosier, MD Cardiology Resident University of Ottawa Heart Institute Ottawa, ON | @beccacrosier Abstract Title: Exploring abnormalities in pulsatile arterial load as distinct features of the HFpEF syndrome in women
2021 Winner	Monica Parry, MEd, MSc, NP-Adult, PhD, CCN(C) Associate Professor, Lawrence S. Bloomberg Faculty of Nursing, University of Toronto Nurse Practitioner, Cardiac Program, Kingston Health Sciences Centre Toronto, ON | @parryresearch Abstract Title: Sex/Gender Knowledge and Parity in Clinical Trials
2018 Winner	Jodi Edwards, PhD Scientist And Director, Brain And Heart Nexus Research Program Director, UOHI Population Outcomes Research Unit University of Ottawa Heart Institute Adjunct Scientist, ICES Associate Professor, School Of Epidemiology And Public Health, University Of Ottawa Ottawa, ON  Abstract Title: Sex Differences in the Incidence and Outcomes of Newly Diagnosed Atrial Fibrillation-Related Stroke
2016 Winner	Katie Cheung Clinical Research Assistant University of Ottawa Heart Institute Ottawa, ON Abstract Title: Sex Differences in the Growth Rates of Thoracic Aortic Aneurysms: Role of Aneurysm Etiology

2023 Best Poster Presentation 

The 2023 Canadian Women’s Heart Health Summit included an award for Best Poster Presentation. The person judged as preparing and delivering the best poster receives a plaque of recognition and an award of $250. Best Poster Presentation is selected based on the following criteria: 

• Originality 
• Design and methodology 
• Supporting data 
• Quality of presentation 

Award Recipients

2023 Winner	Sauyeh Zamani, MSc PhD Student and Graduate Research Assistant Applied Physiology and Advanced Imaging Laboratory Department of Kinesiology College of Nursing and Health Innovation University of Texas at Arlington Arlington, TX USA  Abstract Title: Increased Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction in Women with Ischemia But No Obstructive Coronary Artery Disease: Novel insight from Strain Imaging
2021 Winner	Yasmine Coovadia, MSc PhD Student, Cardiovascular Health and Autonomic Regulation Laboratory Department of Kinesiology and Physical Education McGill University  Montreal, QC Abstract Title: The effect of sex on vascular function during acute stress
2018 Winner	Vanessa Ha, PhD Medical Student at Queen's University; Epidemiologist Hamilton, ON Abstract Title: Assessing the Consistency and Quality of the Evidence for the Association Between Dietary Factors and Gestational Diabetes Mellitus: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Prospective Cohort Studies and Randomized Controlled Trials
2016 Winner	Mary Forhan, PhD, MHSc, BSc University of Alberta Edmonton, AB Abstract Title: Female sex is associated with extended length of hospital stay following CABG surgery in patients with severe obesity

NEW: Women with Lived Experience (WWLE) Top Choice Award

We have introduced a NEW award at this year’s event titled the “Women with Lived Experience Top Choice Award” where WWLE Judges chose their top abstract presentation based on their ease of understanding, how relevant it is to women’s heart, brain and vascular health and the potential impact on the patient’s experience. The person judged as preparing and delivering the best poster receives a certificate of recognition and an award of $250. All posters were judged during the poster session on April 28, with the Top Choice Award selected based on the following criteria: 

• Is the research described in clear lay terms so that it would be understood by the general public?
• Do you feel the proposed research is impactful to the field of women heart disease and/or stroke?
• Is the proposed research directly relevant to women's heart disease and/or stroke?
• How would you rate the overall quality of the presentation? (Is the poster visually appealing, and overall presentation clear)

Award Recipients

2023 Winner

Mayssa Moukarzel, MSc Cardiovascular MRI Research Lab McGill University Health Centre Montreal, QC Abstract Title: Sex Differences in Stress Burden and Markers of Cardiac Inflammation — A Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance Imaging Study