GLOBAL CONFERENCE on HEART HEALTH & DISEASE
by Ivan Berkowitz, Conference Director

**Photo Album**

WHAT IT'S ALL ABOUT

To celebrate the 70th Birthday of Naranjan Dhalla and the 10th Anniversary of the International Academy of Cardiovascular Sciences, I began to conceive an event about two years ago. I personally contacted outstanding I A C S leaders from around the world and received unanimous agreement to serve as Honourary Chairs from: Qi-De Han, China; Otoni Gomes, Brazil; N.K. Ganguly, India; Makoto Nagano, Japan; Eugeny Chasov, Russia; Sen. Wilbert Keon, Canada; Eugene Braunwald, USA; Jutta Schaper, Germany; and Sir Magdi Yacoub who at a personal meeting in February 2006 agreed to deliver the Keynote Address. Buoyed by this global support, I approached Alan Menkis and Grant Pierce who agreed to co-chair a unique symposium on "The Future of Heart Health" for which we gathered an incredible faculty from various disciplines - their efforts have drawn praise from around the world. Together, we responded to interest from Merck-Frosst who enthusiastically agreed to major sponsorship. Pawan Singal agreed to organize as part of the event the 8th Annual Awards program of the Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences as the scientific portion. Sponsorship was aggressively pursued, including from the Winnipeg Partnership Agreement and achieved success estimated to exceed $350,000 from over 30 companies and agencies.

Upon contacting the University, Dr. Joanne Keselman, Vice-President of Research identified the potential of also
celebrating the 10th Anniversary of the University joining with St. Boniface Hospital to designate the Institute of
Cardiovascular Sciences. With Drs. Hryshko and Pierce, we developed the plan to have the University and the Hospital
jointly host a Luncheon on Oct. 13. During a visit to Rochester, I found that Dr. Hugh Smith from the Mayo Clinic was
interested to join us and we invited him to be the guest speaker which we recognized with a unique award as a
"Golden Boy".

Again, I enjoyed unanimous agreement in creating a local 'team' including: Lee & Bert Friesen as co-chairs; Hon. Peter Liba, Hon. Pearl McGonigal, Tannis Richardson, Bill Norrie and Arnold Naimark as Hon. Patrons; Mohinder Dhillon, Ken Dhalla, Krishnamurti Dakshinamurti and Bidhu Jha for the Indo-Canadian gala; Eva Little and Sue Zettler - administration; Daniel Juric, Behzad Yeganeh and Anton Uvarov - transportation (to meet all guests and drive them to the hotels via Wellington Crescent!); and extremely valuable assistance from Melissa Dent - coordination; and Mike Czubryt - Chief Operating Officer.

In spite of our efforts to keep the plan secret as a surprise for Dr. Dhalla, he was told of the plans at a meeting in New
Orleans and insisted on organizing an expanded scientific program which ultimately extended to twenty-three
additional symposia.

Unique social events were organized at the Legislative Building, McPhillips Street Station (as a Roast), Tiffani's and
an Indo-Canadian Tribute to Dr. Dhalla catered by East India Company at the Convention Centre. Each meal
highlighted Manitoba products. As well, a 'Made In Manitoba' bag including Old Dutch Salt & Vinegar Chips,
ClodHoppers, Crown Royal, Leobard Strawberry-Rhubarb Wine and Bulldog Amber Ale was placed in each visitor's
hotel room.

Media coverage included a 4-page Section in the Free Press and their large Front Page report on a meeting between
Dr. Yacoub and a patient from Brandon whose life he had saved with revolutionary surgery 17 years ago which was
also covered by CTV News and CBC Radio. A Special Edition of "CV Network" of 40 pages was the official program,
added to the website and distributed around the world. A Commemorative Tribute to Dr. Dhalla was produced by
"Experimental & Clinical Cardiology". There was a full page tribute in The Indo-Canadian Telegram."NRC-CNRC
Canadian Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology", edited by Grant Pierce, is accumulating articles from Dr.
Dhalla's colleagues around the world, to create two commemorative issues. With the assistance of St. Jude Medical,
talks at the Future Symposium were video-taped and slides gathered to create a DVD which IACS and SJM will
distribute around the world. From the DVD, plans are underway to capture talks of interest to use in
presentations at schools.

Attendance included close to 300 visitors, 200 local delegates, 250 guests at the Future Symposium and more than
1,200 at the Gala Dinner including the Lieutenant-Governor, our Premier, the Canadian Parliamentary Secretary to
the Minister of Health and Winnipeg's Mayor.

In my advance PR, I had repeated the quote "It sounds like an event fit for a King" and I guaranteed everyone the
time of their life. In spite of being chastised by my daughter for being carried away in my salesmanship, I think with
the total commitment of everyone at ICS, we exceeded the promises!

Thanks for all your help.