Help shape the future of cardiovascular research

The most effective research addresses the needs and priorities of individuals with lived experience of heart disease and cardiovascular risk factors.  

That’s why Dr. Sonia Butalia, MD, a professor in the departments of Medicine and Community Health Sciences at the Cumming School of Medicine, is now recruiting for a long-term Patient Advisory Committee (PAC) to inform and assist researchers in creating meaningful change. 

“It’s incredibly important that people in the public are at the heart of research, and it needs to be informed by them so that it best supports and serves them,” says Butalia. 

Butalia, who is a member of the Libin Cardiovascular Institute, was recently awarded the Astra-Zeneca and Chiu Family Chair in Cardiovascular Health Promotion and Disease Prevention and setting up a patient advisory group is a priority under the chair. 

“Heart disease is one of the most common causes of death in Canada, and the impacts on patients, families and caregivers are great,” she says. “The goal is to better understand how research can help people affected by heart conditions or who are living with cardiovascular risk factors like diabetes, high cholesterol and high blood pressure.”

The opportunity to be part of the PAC is open to all adults in Alberta with lived experience, as well as those who are involved in their care. Butalia and her team are looking for representation from a diversity of backgrounds and cultures, as well as both urban and rural residents, to help inform health research, education and health promotion initiatives.

Virtual monthly meetings (60 to 90 minutes long) will run for 12 months, starting in September 2026. Participants may have future opportunities to work even closer with researchers as both patient partners and patient advisors. 

Butalia says the group’s initial focus will be on identifying research priorities with a disease prevention and health promotion focus. 

Her overall goal is to ensure that people’s voices are heard. 

"People with lived experience bring insights that researchers simply can't gain from data alone,” she says. “Their experiences help us ask better questions and ensure our research addresses what matters most.” 

Find out how you can help inform research by being part of this PAC here. Participants will be compensated for their time. 

Dr. Sonia Butalia, MD, is a professor in the departments of Medicine and Community Health Sciences at the Cumming School of Medicine. She is member of the Libin Cardiovascular Institute and the O’Brien Institute for Public Health. She holds the Astra-Zeneca and Chiu Family Chair in Cardiovascular Health Promotion and Disease Prevention.