become the standard. “A clinic like this shouldn’t be something that we consider optional,” says Sandhu. “It’s so important given the devastating statistics of women and cardiovascular disease. [It should be] a routine service that’s offered, and our clinic has the ability to impact that care, not just for women in Southern Alberta, but potentially beyond because of the expertise that exists here.” As research and education catch up to determine the best standards of care for women, it’s donor support that helps drive this progress — whether through specialized equipment, an innovative pilot project or general awareness; it all helps create meaningful change. Together, the new clinic and the PET CT scanner will help diagnose and treat more women with cardiovascular needs and ensure Albertans receive the best care possible — a testimony to donor impact. “These landmark gifts are going to advance specialized care, education, and innovation for women facing cardiovascular disease, and enable us to better understand the unique ways heart disease affects women, improve access to expert care, and, ultimately, save lives,” says Sandhu. Donor generosity advances care across Calgary
symptoms and to prioritize their health is one of the most important things that we can do,” says Sandhu. Donors who understand this mission, like Bissett and the Allsopps, are critical to moving women’s cardiovascular health initiatives forward. Cardiovascular Health Clinic has already received more than 400 referrals, with the majority coming from within Calgary. “The uptake has been really encouraging right from the beginning,” says Sandhu. “You can see that the need is there from a large part of the province, and I’m sure that this will increase as Benefiting Albertan women To date, the Harold and Betty Allsopp Women’s satisfaction rate, something Sandhu says is vital to the work. One hundred per cent of patients felt that they were treated with respect; between 85 and 90 per cent felt like they were encouraged to ask questions, received appropriate information, and felt they were involved in decision making; and 94 per cent said that they would recommend the clinic to someone important in their life. Sandhu says she’s already seen a positive effect in women’s cardiac health from the clinic, and she’s hopeful that the impact will become more and more evident throughout the three- year pilot. Ideally, this level of care should the awareness of our clinic improves.” Early indicators demonstrate a high
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Inside the women’s cardiovascular health clinic.
Breakthroughs [ Fall 2026 ]
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