Researchers from School of Nursing help map out future of Heart and Stroke Foundation
Nov 15, 2018
Photo above, left to right: Dr. Michael McGillion, Dr. Sandra Carroll, Dr. Maureen Markle-Reid
Three nurse scientists from the McMaster School of Nursing (Drs. Michael McGillion, Sandra Carroll, and Maureen Markle-Reid ) were at the table when the Heart and Stroke Foundation (HSF) of Canada hosted a daylong meeting to begin to map out the foundation’s direction for the next ten years.
HSF is a leading funder of research related to heart and stoke diseases. The meeting, held in Toronto on October 23, gathered together the foundation’s six Mission-Critical Area councils. Each council is engaged in the process for two years in an advisory role. Members were selected as experts in the subject areas and make recommendations on matters such as identifying major research topics for future exploration.
Carroll is a member of the Heart Rhythm Council. Markle-Reid is a member of the Vascular Cognitive Impairment Council. McGillion is co-chair of COMPASS Council on Mission: Priorities, Advice, Science and Strategy (CoMPASS). HSF defines COMPASS as “the Foundation’s most senior advisory and the primary mechanism for informing Mission directions, identifying the most prudent or swiftest line, and/or signalling important shifts in course.”
McGillion notes that the October meeting “focussed on the big questions of the day in research that Heart and Stroke will tackle over the coming years. This was a strategic initiative to drive priorities for the foundation going forward, and nursing had a strong presence. It’s remarkable there were three McMaster nurses in the room for this national meeting.”
Founded in 1952, the Heart and Stroke Foundation has funded life-saving research, including breakthroughs such as heart transplant surgery and a revolutionary stroke treatment that cuts the death rate by 50%. They are also involved in promoting prevention of heart and stroke diseases through education and healthy lifestyle programming.
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