The Patient Education Steering Committee continues to make strong progress in advancing its mandate to advocate for, oversee, and advise on the development and delivery of high‑quality, evidence‑informed patient education initiatives, both in person and online. This work aligns directly with the strategic priorities of the UBC Division of Cardiology, with a clear focus on improving patient understanding, engagement, and self‑management of cardiovascular disease.
The Committee’s work has emphasized:
- Supporting persons with lived experience and their support networks
- Improving timely access to patient education resources
- Addressing gaps in understanding around diagnosis, medications, lifestyle change, and prevention
- Promoting collaboration between faculty, allied health professionals, and community partners
- Ensuring education initiatives are patient‑centered, inclusive, and evidence‑based
The Steering Committee is chaired by Dr. Rudy Chow and includes broad representation across health authorities, allied health, community organizations, and patient partners, including members from HeartLife Foundation and the Heart & Stroke Foundation of Canada (BC), as well as UBC faculty and Division leadership.
We are pleased to share that interest in the upcoming UBC Division of Cardiology: Community Cardiac Education & Heart Fair has significantly exceeded expectations.
- In‑person attendance:
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- 200 participants registered (now at capacity)
- Registration filled within days of the faculty‑distributed invitation
- A waitlist continues to grow
- Online attendance:
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- Currently 450+ registered virtual participants
This strong uptake underscores the clear community need for accessible, trusted cardiovascular education and reflects the Steering Committee’s goal of extending the Division’s reach beyond traditional clinical settings.
The lecture series will be held at UBC Robson Square Theatre (C300) and delivered in a hybrid format to maximize accessibility.
We are delighted to confirm participation from the following groups during the Heart Fair portion of the event:
- UBC Dietitians – Healthy Heart
- Heart & Stroke Foundation with HeartLife Foundation (1–2 booths)
- Early Intervention Memory Clinic
- Lifestyle Rx Team
These collaborations reflect the Committee’s emphasis on interdisciplinary education, prevention, and community partnership.
Overall, the momentum behind this event highlights the importance of the Patient Education Steering Committee’s work in bridging clinical expertise with meaningful, community‑focused education. We are deeply grateful to our volunteering faculty members who have generously contributed their time, expertise, and commitment to delivering these educational sessions. Their willingness to engage beyond clinical responsibilities is invaluable to the success of this initiative and to our ability to provide high‑quality, accessible information to patients, families, and the wider community. We look forward to building on this collective effort as we continue to expand patient education initiatives across the Division.