Hamilton-based Medical Hero Inducted into The Canadian Medical Hall of Fame

LONDON, ON, April 24, 2014 /CNW/ - Dr. Salim Yusuf, Hamilton-based world renowned cardiologist instrumental in transforming the prevention and treatment for cardiovascular disease, was recognized as a Canadian medical hero with induction into The Canadian Medical Hall of Fame at a gathering of more than 575 Canadian health care and business leaders in Kingston, Ontario.

Annually The Canadian Medical Hall of Fame elevates a select few of our country's most brilliant health care professionals to laureate status. Laureates are those who have pushed the boundaries of discovery and innovation beyond the realm of possibility to make the world a better place.

One of six inductees, Dr. Salim Yusuf joined the ranks of 101 Laureates before him in receiving this prestigious national honour. Nominated for his passion, innovation and visionary leadership that has improved health worldwide, Dr. Salim Yusuf was selected for this honour by a selection panel comprising national health leaders and chaired by Dr. Alain Beaudet of the Canadian Institute of Health Research

"We count the important medical achievements of HSF-funded researchers Dr. Salim Yusuf (and fellow Laureate Dr. Adolpho de Bold) amongst the Foundation's greatest milestones and would like to congratulate each of the laureates on their significant contributions to improving the health of Canadians," says Heart and Stroke Foundation CEO David Sculthorpe.

Honorary Co-Chairs Hon. Hugh Segal and Daniel Woolf, Principal & Vice Chancellor of Queen's University celebrated along with 2014 Canadian Medical Hall of Fame Induction Co-Chairs Dr. Richard Reznick, Dean – Faculty of Health Sciences and Dr. Tom Harris, Vice-Principal Advancement, Queen's University.

ABOUT DR. SALIM YUSUF
Dr. Salim Yusuf is an internationally renowned cardiologist and epidemiologist whose work over 35 years has substantially influenced prevention and treatment of cardiovascular disease.  The leading  North  American   clinical   trialist   in   this   field,   his   epidemiologic work in more than 60 countries  shows the majority of risks  of both cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disease are attributable to the same few risk  factors.  His large-scale studies involving several hundreds of thousands of individuals in dozens of countries have changed the way some of the world's most deadly health conditions are prevented, treated and managed.

Medically qualified in Bangalore in 1976, Dr. Yusuf received a Rhodes Scholarship and earned a DPhil from Oxford, during which time he (along with Richard Peto and Peter Sleight) initiated the concepts of large, simple trials, and meta-analysis. He coordinated the ISIS trial which set the structure for future international collaborative work in cardiovascular disease and demonstrated the value of beta-blockers in myocardial infarction. In 1984, Dr. Yusuf moved to the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, USA, where he was a leader in their SOLVD trial (establishing the value of ACE-inhibitors in LV dysfunction) and DIG trial (clarifying the role of digitalis). In 1992 he moved to McMaster University, where he established an international program of research in cardiovascular diseases and prevention, culminating in the creation of the Population Health Research institute, which he founded and heads. The work by his group has lead to a better understanding of risk factors for heart disease and strokes globally, the discovery of new treatments such as ACE inhibitors, dual antiplatelets, and novel antithrombotic agents to reduce mortality, heart attacks and strokes. His current work explores the role of the environment, health policies and health systems in influencing cardiovascular disease mortality globally.

Dr. Yusuf's influence on international researchers is perhaps one of his most enduring gifts. By involving researchers in collaborative networks, and by providing practical training in the conduct of productive research projects, he has helped establish a much deeper understanding of the key principles that underlie epidemiological research in an astounding number of research fellows who have benefited from his direct supervision.

Dr. Yusuf holds a Heart and Stroke foundation of Ontario Research chair, was  a  Senior Scientist of the Canadian Institutes of Health  Research  (1999  –  2004),  and  has  received more than 40 international and national awards for research including in 2014 the Gairdner Wightman Prize, induction into the Royal Society of Canada and appointment as an Officer of the Order of Canada.

He has published more than 800 articles in refereed journals, rising to the second most cited researcher in the world for 2011. He is President-elect of the World Heart federation, where he is  initiating  an  emerging  Leaders  program  in  100  countries  with  the  aim  of halving the CVD burden globally within a generation.

Available Resources

1. Dr. Yusuf's full bio and high resolution photo available upon request.
2. Laureate bios and information about The Canadian Medical Hall of Fame available anytime at www.cdnmedhall.org.

About The Canadian Medical Hall of Fame 
Established in 1994 and located in London, Ontario, The Canadian Medical Hall of Fame is the only national Hall of Fame in the world dedicated to celebrating medical heroes. By creating an enduring tribute to those men and women who through discovery and innovation have contributed to better health in Canada and the world, The Canadian Medical Hall of Fame inspires the pursuit of careers in the health sciences fostering future innovators and leaders.

                                                                          

SOURCE: Canadian Medical Hall of Fame

Sharon Lomas, Communications and Media Relations, 519.319.0908 / [email protected]