Canadian Medical Hall of Fame

2019 INDUCTEE Naranjan S. Dhalla, PhD Heart & Vessels, Global Health, Leadership in Organizational Development

Born:

October 10, 1936

(Ghanieke, Punjab, India)

Education:

PhD, University of Pittsburgh (1965)

Awards & Honours:

2015: Honorary Doctorate, University of Buenos Aires, Argentina

2014: Honorary Doctorate, University of Kragujevac, Serbia

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Picture of Dr. Naranjan Dhalla

An influential leader and collaborator in the field of cardiology

Photo of Naranjan Dhalla

A champion of Canadian cardiovascular research on the international stage

Dr. Naranjan S. Dhalla, Distinguished Professor of Physiology and Pathophysiology in the Max Rady College of Medicine at the University of Manitoba, is a founding leader of two worldwide organizations of cardiovascular science: the International Society of Heart Research (ISHR) devoted to basic cardiovascular science research, and the International Academy of Cardiovascular Sciences (IACS) promoting cardiovascular health education and community involvement. These global organizations have helped to incorporate many countries and regions around the world into the ongoing work of securing advanced cardiovascular knowledge and health worldwide.

Key Facts

Served two decades as Secretary General of the International Society of Health Research (ISHR), then another nine years as President Elect, President and Past President

Was elected Honorary President for Life of the International Academy of Cardiovascular Sciences (IACS)

Served as the director of the Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences at St. Boniface Hospital, recognized as one of the finest basic science cardiovascular research groups in Canada, for 19 years

Organized 93 international symposia in 27 different countries and 31 national meetings in Canada

Cited more than 16,000 times in cardiovascular literature

Recognized by 177 honours and awards from organizations around the world

Professional timeline

Impact on lives today

For people all around the world, the work and accomplishments of Dr. Dhalla means significant improvements in medical treatment and health. As people live longer, they are increasingly likely to experience challenges of cardiovascular disease. As more people face these challenges, the work of Dr. Dhalla holds out promise for better quality of life as well as longer life. The internationalization work promoted by Dr. Dhalla helps to ensure that the benefits of scientific knowledge will be shared worldwide.

Picture of Dr. Naranjan Dhalla

2023

  • Photo of Naranjan Dhalla at Induction

    Naranjan Dhalla inducted into the Canadian Medical Hall of Fame

    Montreal, Québec

  • The ISHR World Meeting took place in Winnipeg

    Over 2000 health research professionals attended the International Society of Heart Research meeting. This event, organized in large part by Dr. Dhalla, helped to establish Canada as a centre of cardiovascular science and research. The ISHR has grown into one of the most authoritative voices in cardiac research in the world.

  • The Institute of Cardiovascular Science at Saint-Boniface Hospital, Winnipeg, was created

    Heart & Vessels

    Dr. Dhalla served as its director from 1996-2006.

  • The International Academy of Cardiovascular Science was formed

    Global Health

    It serves as an organizational structure for the world-wide sharing of research and education in the field of heart health.

  • Started as Editor-in-Chief of the Journal Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry

  • The Canadian Journal of Cardiology was created through the efforts of Dr. Dhalla and Dr. Robert Beamish

    Heart & Vessels

  • Dr. Naranjan Dhalla led the first Centre of Excellence in Heart Research to be funded by the Medical Research Council of Canada

    Heart & Vessels

  • The International Society for Health Research (ISHR) was created

    Global Health

    Dr. Dhalla served as its first secretary general from 1972-1989. Today, the ISHR has 7 international branches with over 3,000 members.

  • The International Study Group for Research in Cardiac Metabolism was founded

    Heart & Vessels

    Its formation was a response to the concern that cardiology meetings were too focused on clinical cardiovascular medicine and gave insufficient attention of basic cardiac research.

1967

We can think of no one else in the field of cardiovascular sciences who has served Canada better in promoting cardiovascular research at both a national and international level.

Additional Resources:

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