OTTAWA, October 16, 2026 — Members of the Ottawa Heart Institute community are taking home major honours at the 2026 Canadian Cardiovascular Congress (CCC).
Held in Ottawa from October 15–17, the CCC brought together clinicians, researchers, trainees and allied health professionals from across Canada, the U.S. and beyond to share research, advance clinical practice and strengthen collaboration in cardiovascular care.
In conjunction with CCC 2026, Heart Institute experts brought together colleagues for two inaugural national meetings focused on advancing cardiovascular care and outcomes. Both meetings were held at the Heart Institute on October 14, preceding the Congress.
- The inaugural Canadian Mechanical Circulatory Support User Meeting brought together experts in a field that plays a critical role in managing acute heart failure, cardiogenic shock and high-risk cardiac interventions.
- The Canadian Cardiac Surgery Quality Alliance also gathered cardiac surgery leaders to explore opportunities to advance quality improvement and outcomes through collaboration, data sharing, research and sustainable quality initiatives across Canadian cardiac surgery centres.
Recognizing excellence across the Heart Institute
The Ottawa Heart Institute award recipients at CCC 2026 are named below.
Dr. Hassan Mir | Dr. Harold Segall Award of Merit
Cardiologist and program chair of the Ottawa Model for Smoking Cessation, Dr. Hassan Mir is the recipient of the Dr. Harold Segall Award of Merit, presented in recognition of a significant contribution to the prevention of cardiovascular disease or the promotion of cardiovascular health in Canadians.
Dr. Joanne Joseph and Dr. Morgane Laverdure | Virani Family Foundation 2026 Changemaker Award
Clinical fellows in cardiology Dr. Joanne Joseph and Dr. Morgane Laverdure are recipients of the Virani Family Foundation 2026 Changemaker Award, which recognizes residents, postdoctoral trainees, or small teams of cardiovascular trainees in Canadian cardiology programs who are leading meaningful improvements in care delivery, access to care, health equity, and patient care.
To learn more or to coordinate an interview with an awardee, please contact the media liaison below.
Media contact
Leigh B. Morris
Communications Officer
University of Ottawa Heart Institute
613-316-6409 (cell)
lmorris@ottawaheart.ca