Circulatory and respiratory diseases exact an enormous toll on the peoples of the world. Chronic conditions that compromise the heart, blood vessels and lungs are increasing in prevalence, and are the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in Canada and worldwide. They also impose the largest economic burden on our healthcare system. Many of these ailments, including hardening of the arteries, COPD, asthma, heart muscle diseases, valvular diseases, lung fibrosis, and multi-organ dysfunction, involve injuries that initiate a cascade of immune and inflammatory events, and wounding and repair. The nature of injury and repair processes will lead to complete restoration of organ system function, or sadly, sustained compromise. Success in unraveling the complexity of environmental, behavioral and environmental interactions in conveying risks, initiating and accelerating disease, and determining outcomes requires a 360º approach by diverse scientists and clinicians, working across sectors and jurisdictions. Such a shared commitment is central to the vision of the Providence Heart + Lung Institute at St. Paul's Hospital.
It is a great privilege to work with clinical, investigative and educational teams at the Institute. The collective talents and energies of faculty, staff and trainees throughout the Providence organization are allowing new preventative and therapeutic approaches to many different heart and lung disorders. Recent applications of leading-edge technologies in the clinics and in the laboratories have set the programs of care and discovery in new leadership positions in British Columbia and across Canada. Providing such leadership is essential in our quest to offer the right care for the right patient at the right time, and in the right amount and best frequency.
For visitors to the Providence Heart + Lung Institute, in a virtual fashion or directly, we welcome you, and look forward to the most fruitful exchanges and learning opportunities for the public, patients, care providers, knowledge producers, private industry leaders, policy makers and the press. Support for the mission of the Heart + Lung Institute originates from Providence Health Care - the home of the Institute, the St. Paul's Hospital Foundation, charitable organizations, peer-review funding organizations, private sector partners, and generous donors. Our success and impact on the health of British Columbians is dependent on our common destiny - to prevent heart and lung diseases when possible, and to slow and ameliorate them when necessary. Join us on this journey.
Warmest regards,
Bruce McManus, MD, PhD, FRSC, FCAHS
Director, Providence Heart + Lung Institute at St. Paul's Hospital