Speakers / Panelists
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Oral Posters
May 30, 2026 from 2:45pm EDT to 3:15pm EDT -
Provincial Optimization of Guideline-Directed Medical Therapy for Heart Failure with Reduced Ejection Fraction
May 30, 2026 from 9:30am EDT to 10:00am EDT -
Evolving the Cardiovascular Toolkit: Specialized Nurse Practitioner Practice in Cardiovascular Surgery
May 29, 2026 from 11:05am EDT to 11:35am EDT -
Posters F-H
May 30, 2026 from 10:35am EDT to 10:55am EDT -
Pulse Check: Elevating ECG Skills in Cardiovascular Nursing
May 30, 2026 from 10:55am EDT to 11:55am EDT -
Are You Smarter Than a Senior Cardiac Nurse? A Gamified Deep Dive Into Cardiovascular Care
May 30, 2026 from 1:30pm EDT to 2:30pm EDT -
Streamlining care between inpatient cardiovascular care and community cardiac rehab in Saskatoon; the nurses role
May 29, 2026 from 2:25pm EDT to 2:55pm EDT -
Coordinating Complexity: Integrating a Clinical Nurse Specialist into Inherited Arrhythmia Care
May 30, 2026 from 10:05am EDT to 10:35am EDT -
Provincial Optimization of Guideline-Directed Medical Therapy for Heart Failure with Reduced Ejection Fraction
May 30, 2026 from 9:30am EDT to 10:00am EDT -
Streamlining care between inpatient cardiovascular care and community cardiac rehab in Saskatoon; the nurses role
May 29, 2026 from 2:25pm EDT to 2:55pm EDT -
Posters F-H
May 30, 2026 from 10:35am EDT to 10:55am EDT -
Oral Posters
May 30, 2026 from 2:45pm EDT to 3:15pm EDT -
Bridging the Gap in Cardiovascular Prevention: A Mobile Screening Partnership Between the Centre for Valvular Heart Disease and Seaway Valley Community Health Centre to Prioritize Unattached Patients in Cornwall, Ontario
May 30, 2026 from 12:00pm EDT to 12:30pm EDT -
Posters F-H
May 30, 2026 from 10:35am EDT to 10:55am EDT -
Bridging the Gap in Cardiovascular Prevention: A Mobile Screening Partnership Between the Centre for Valvular Heart Disease and Seaway Valley Community Health Centre to Prioritize Unattached Patients in Cornwall, Ontario
May 30, 2026 from 12:00pm EDT to 12:30pm EDT -
Transition Readiness in Cardiac Transplant: A Concept Analysis
May 29, 2026 from 11:40am EDT to 12:10pm EDT -
When the Heart Grows Weary: A Journey Through Heart Failure
May 29, 2026 from 9:45am EDT to 10:45am EDT -
Posters F-H
May 30, 2026 from 10:35am EDT to 10:55am EDT -
Evolving the Cardiovascular Toolkit: Specialized Nurse Practitioner Practice in Cardiovascular Surgery
May 29, 2026 from 11:05am EDT to 11:35am EDT -
Posters I-J
May 30, 2026 from 2:30pm EDT to 2:45pm EDT -
Poster Presentations A-C
May 29, 2026 from 10:45am EDT to 11:05am EDT -
Posters D-E
May 29, 2026 from 2:10pm EDT to 2:25pm EDT -
What do patients and caregivers need when navigating brain-heart health decisions? An explanatory sequential mixed methods study
May 30, 2026 from 9:30am EDT to 10:00am EDT -
Two Sides of the Stethoscope
May 29, 2026 from 3:00pm EDT to 4:00pm EDT -
Poster Presentations A-C
May 29, 2026 from 10:45am EDT to 11:05am EDT -
Management of Heart Failure with Reduced Ejection Fraction in Women
May 30, 2026 from 3:20pm EDT to 3:50pm EDT -
Welcome and Opening Remarks. Message from CCCN President
May 29, 2026 from 8:30am EDT to 8:45am EDT -
Posters I-J
May 30, 2026 from 2:30pm EDT to 2:45pm EDT -
Welcome
May 30, 2026 from 8:40am EDT to 8:55am EDT -
Streamlining care between inpatient cardiovascular care and community cardiac rehab in Saskatoon; the nurses role
May 29, 2026 from 2:25pm EDT to 2:55pm EDT -
Poster Presentations A-C
May 29, 2026 from 10:45am EDT to 11:05am EDT -
CCCN Information Session Canadian Journal of Cardiovascular Nurses Presentation
May 30, 2026 from 2:45pm EDT to 3:15pm EDT -
Posters D-E
May 29, 2026 from 2:10pm EDT to 2:25pm EDT -
What do patients and caregivers need when navigating brain-heart health decisions? An explanatory sequential mixed methods study
May 30, 2026 from 9:30am EDT to 10:00am EDT -
Posters I-J
May 30, 2026 from 2:30pm EDT to 2:45pm EDT -
Pulse Check: Elevating ECG Skills in Cardiovascular Nursing
May 30, 2026 from 10:55am EDT to 11:55am EDT -
Posters D-E
May 29, 2026 from 2:10pm EDT to 2:25pm EDT -
What do patients and caregivers need when navigating brain-heart health decisions? An explanatory sequential mixed methods study
May 30, 2026 from 9:30am EDT to 10:00am EDT -
Two Sides of the Stethoscope
May 29, 2026 from 3:00pm EDT to 4:00pm EDT -
Are You Smarter Than a Senior Cardiac Nurse? A Gamified Deep Dive Into Cardiovascular Care
May 30, 2026 from 1:30pm EDT to 2:30pm EDT -
Cardiac Operating room nurses and multidisciplinary team as the perioperative leader.
May 29, 2026 from 2:25pm EDT to 2:55pm EDT -
When the Heart Grows Weary: A Journey Through Heart Failure
May 29, 2026 from 9:45am EDT to 10:45am EDT -
Posters F-H
May 30, 2026 from 10:35am EDT to 10:55am EDT -
When the Heart Grows Weary: A Journey Through Heart Failure
May 29, 2026 from 9:45am EDT to 10:45am EDT -
Opening Plenary: Unmasking Heat Failure: Recognizing Key Masqueraders in Clinical Practice
May 29, 2026 from 8:45am EDT to 9:45am EDT -
Streamlining care between inpatient cardiovascular care and community cardiac rehab in Saskatoon; the nurses role
May 29, 2026 from 2:25pm EDT to 2:55pm EDT -
Evaluation of Quality of Life for Patients Who Participate in a Heart Failure Specific Cardiovascular Rehabilitation Program
May 29, 2026 from 11:05am EDT to 11:35am EDT -
Posters D-E
May 29, 2026 from 2:10pm EDT to 2:25pm EDT -
Cardiac Care in Saskatchewan
May 30, 2026 from 8:55am EDT to 9:25am EDT -
When the Heart Grows Weary: A Journey Through Heart Failure
May 29, 2026 from 9:45am EDT to 10:45am EDT -
Poster Presentations A-C
May 29, 2026 from 10:45am EDT to 11:05am EDT -
Understanding and Managing Thoracic Aortic Aneurysms: A Workshop for Cardiovascular Nurses and Nurse Practitioners
May 29, 2026 from 1:10pm EDT to 2:10pm EDT -
Outpatient Management of Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm: The Evolving Role of Nurse Practitioners in the Thoracic Aortic Surgery Clinic (TASC)
May 29, 2026 from 11:40am EDT to 12:10pm EDT
Aaron Antonio, NP
Aaron Antonio, NP
Aaron Antonio, NP
Aaron Antonio is a Structural Heart Nurse Practitioner at St. Michael’s Hospital in Toronto, with over a decade of cardiovascular nursing experience across critical care and advanced cardiology practice. He provides longitudinal care for patients with complex structural heart disease, supporting them from initial clinic assessment and diagnostic workup through procedural care and post-procedural follow-up, helping ensure seamless coordination across outpatient and inpatient settings in collaboration with the structural heart team.
Aaron is passionate about improving timely access to transcatheter structural interventions through Nurse Practitioner-led clinics focused on comprehensive assessment, diagnostic coordination, guideline-directed medical optimization, and patient education. At St. Michael’s Hospital, he has contributed to refining same-day discharge criteria and post-procedural conduction management pathways, following transcatheter interventions, and was involved in implementing Canada’s first high-efficiency “10-TAVI-day” initiative. He collaborates closely with heart failure and cardiology teams to support integrated care pathways.
He is currently developing a structural heart toolkit to support nurses and Nurse Practitioners in the assessment and management of complex structural heart disease and emerging transcatheter therapies.
Valerie Barrette, RN, MScN
Valerie Barrette, RN, MScN
Valerie Barrette, RN, MScN
Valerie Barrette is a Clinical Nurse Specialist under the Quality, Research and Integrated Care portfolio at Cardiac Services BC (CSBC). She is the provincial clinical lead for CSBC’s Heart Failure and Chronic Cardiovascular Disease Population Group.
Born and raised in Quebec, Valerie completed a Bachelor of Sciences in Nursing at McGill University in 2005, and a Master’s in Nursing Sciences with a complementary diploma as a cardiology Nurse Practitioner at the University of Montreal in 2010. She then worked as a nurse practitioner on the cardiac surgery unit of the University of Montreal Health Centre. In 2017, after moving to British Columbia, she briefly worked as a registered nurse at a Heart Function clinic and in a Cardiac Rehabilitation program, prior to her current role at CSBC. Valerie is passionate about quality improvement initiatives with a focus on heart failure care and cardiac rehabilitation.
Outside of work, Valerie is at her happiest exploring the forests and mountains of Squamish with her family.
Barbara Bailey NP, MN, CCN(C)
Barbara Bailey NP, MN, CCN(C)
Barbara Bailey NP, MN, CCN(C)
Barbara Bailey graduated in 1995 with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BScN) from McMaster University. Upon graduating, she worked across the United States as a registered nurse (RN) in the intensive care department. Barb returned to Canada in 2001 and joined the University Health Network (UHN). She began her UHN career as a staff nurse in the cardiovascular surgery intensive care unit. In 2007, she transitioned from RN to Nurse Practitioner (NP) after completing her Master of Nursing, Acute Care NP program from the University of Toronto. Barb has developed advanced knowledge in adult congenital heart disease (ACHD) with a focus in postoperative management. Since April 2015, Barb is the NP for the Toronto ACHD program at the Peter Munk Cardiac Centre (PMCC), UHN.
Barb is currently cross-appointed with the Lawrence S. Bloomberg, Faculty of Nursing University of Toronto. She holds memberships with the Canadian Council of Cardiovascular Nurses (CCCN), International Society of Adult Congenital Heart Disease (ISACHD), CONNECT, Nurse Practitioner Association of Canada (NPAC), Registered Nurses’ of Ontario (RNAO) and Canadian Nurses Association (CNA) and is the current Past President of the Nurse Practitioners’ Association of Ontario (NPAO). Barb is certified in cardiovascular nursing (CCN(C)), basic and advanced cardiac life support. Her accomplishments include a patient education initiative, a children’s storybook to help parents discuss their heart surgery with their children and the development of a mindfulness recovery program after cardiac surgery. She has co-authored publications in ACHD and cardiovascular surgery and has published in the Canadian Journal of Nursing Leadership and in the Canadian Journal of Cardiology (CJC) Pediatric and Congenital Heart Disease. More recently, she was awarded the 2025 Mae Gallant Cardiovascular Nursing Leadership Excellence Award, with the Canadian Council of Cardiovascular Nurses. Along with the Sprott Surgery (UHN), Exceptional Interprofessional Contributions surgical patient experience award, June 13 2025.
Sarah Bocking RN CCN(C) CDE
Sarah Bocking RN CCN(C) CDE
Sarah Bocking RN CCN(C) CDE
Sarah completed her Bachelor of Nursing degree in 2017. Since then she has worked in a variety of inpatient and outpatient settings including: acute care cardiology, outpatient heart function clinic and diabetic education. She completed her CNA certification in cardiovascular nursing and is a certified diabetic educator. Sarah is currently a Nurse Clinician with the acute care cardiology unit at Royal University Hospital in Saskatoon. She has an interest in patient engagement and research.
Sarah Boyd, RN, BSN, MN, CCN (C)
Sarah Boyd, RN, BSN, MN, CCN (C)
Sarah Boyd, RN, BSN, MN, CCN (C)
Sarah Boyd, RN, BSN, MN, CCN (C) is the Clinical Nurse Educator on the Cardioscience Unit at Royal University Hospital in Saskatoon, a role she has held since 2017. Sarah earned her Bachelor of Nursing in 2007 through the Nursing Education Program of Saskatchewan and the University of Saskatchewan. Sarah holds Canadian Nurses Association (CNA) certification in Cardiovascular Nursing. She later completed a Master of Nursing at the University of Saskatchewan in 2017. Sarah also holds Canadian Nurses Association (CNA) certification in Cardiovascular Nursing.
She began her nursing career providing direct bedside care on the Cardioscience Unit, where she developed a strong passion for cardiovascular nursing. Throughout her career, Sarah has held a variety of roles, including Clinical Coordinator, Cardiology Research Coordinator, and Instructor with the College of Nursing at the University of Saskatchewan.
Joelle Brennan RN, BSN, MSN, CCRN(C)
Joelle Brennan RN, BSN, MSN, CCRN(C)
Joelle Brennan RN, BSN, MSN, CCRN(C)
Sara Buckingham RN, BN
Sara Buckingham RN, BN
Sara Buckingham RN, BN
Sara Buckingham graduated from the University of Calgary in 2004 with a Bachelor of Nursing degree. She has over 20 years of experience working on the inpatient cardiology unit at Royal University Hospital in Saskatoon, where she developed a strong foundation in cardiovascular care. For the past five years, she has worked as a Cardiac Nurse Clinician in cardiac rehabilitation, supporting patients through recovery after cardiac events. Sara is grateful for the opportunity to help provide hope, education, and support to individuals and families in their heart health journey.
Carolynne Brousseau-Whaley, APN
Carolynne Brousseau-Whaley, APN
Carolynne Brousseau-Whaley, APN
Rozina Chaube, RN
Rozina Chaube, RN
Rozina Chaube, RN
Rozina Chaube is a registered nurse and Lead for Provincial Clinical Initiatives within the System Planning and Access portfolio at Cardiac Services BC (CSBC). She is the Provincial Clinical Lead for CSBC’s Coronary Artery Disease Population Group. Rozina completed her Bachelor of Science in Nursing at British Columbia Institute of Technology in 2011 and is currently completing her Master of Nursing at the University of Regina. She brings over a decade of cardiovascular clinical experience, including nine years working in telemetry and coronary care units as RN and Interim Patient Care Coordinator. She later transitioned into ambulatory cardiac care, supporting patients through roles in the Heart Function Clinic and Cardiac Rehabilitation. Her work focuses on advancing patient-centered cardiovascular services and system-level clinical improvement across the province.
Ashley Cheveldayoff, Cardiac Nurse Clinician, RN, BSN, BScKin, MPH
Ashley Cheveldayoff, Cardiac Nurse Clinician, RN, BSN, BScKin, MPH
Ashley Cheveldayoff, Cardiac Nurse Clinician, RN, BSN, BScKin, MPH
Ashley has worked in Cardiac Rehabilitation and Chronic Disease Management for 12 years. She previously held roles as a Diabetes Educator Nurse Clinician and in Medicine Nursing. She has a strong passion for upstream health care and secondary preventive medicine. She is grateful to work within Chronic Disease Management, helping individuals live healthy lives after a diagnosis of a chronic condition and promoting self-management through knowledge and empowerment. She has a special interest in quality improvement, strategic planning, and targeted measures and outcomes. Ashley has also served as a part-time Clinical Faculty Instructor with the University of Regina SCBScN Nursing Program for the past five years.
Ruth Coulton, RN
Ruth Coulton, RN
Ruth Coulton, RN
Katherine Dagg RN, MScN
Katherine Dagg RN, MScN
Katherine Dagg RN, MScN
Katherine Dagg is the structural heart nurse specialist and the Mobile Screening Program coordinator for the Centre for Valvular Heart Disease at the University of Ottawa Heart Institute where she participates in patient education, care and research. Katherine Dagg received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing with Honours in 2016 from the University of Ottawa French program. She then earned her Masters of Science in Nursing with Honours from Charles Sturt University in Australia in 2022. Katherine Dagg combines evidence-based best practice guidelines, innovation, and compassion to help improve her patient care.
Pam Demarbre, RN
Pam Demarbre, RN
Pam Demarbre, RN
Ashley Demkey, RN, CCN (C), BScN, BKin
Ashley Demkey, RN, CCN (C), BScN, BKin
Ashley Demkey, RN, CCN (C), BScN, BKin
Ashley Demkey, RN, CCN (C), BScN, BKin is a Nurse Clinician in Acute Inpatient Cardiology at Royal University Hospital in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. Prior to her career in nursing, Ashley completed her Bachelor of Kinesiology from the University of Saskatchewan in 2012 where she developed a passion for health promotion and primary prevention. After finishing her Bachelor of Nursing from the University of Saskatchewan in 2014, she worked as a registered nurse on the acute inpatient cardiology ward before transition into the Nurse Clinician role. She brings a strong clinical foundation from her experience as a bedside RN, combined with a system-focused approach to patient care, education, and quality improvement. In her current role, she supports evidence-based practice, staff education, and the delivery of high-quality cardiac care for complex inpatient populations. Outside of her professional life, Ashley loves spending time with her family and is involved in the community by coaching her daughters’ soccer teams and encouraging the next generation to be involved in team sports to promote long term health and wellness.
Natalee Elvie- Morgan, NP
Natalee Elvie- Morgan, NP
Natalee Elvie- Morgan, NP
Natalee Elvie- Morgan is a Primary Care Nurse Practitioner with nearly two decades of experience in cardiovascular and cardiac surgical care within tertiary academic centres. She currently practices in Cardiovascular Surgery at Toronto General Hospital, where she provides advanced care to patients with complex cardiac disease, mechanical circulatory support devices, and aortic pathology.
Prior to her current role, she worked at St. Michael’s Hospital in both Cardiology and Cardiovascular Surgery, with a particular focus on aortic disease, structural heart interventions, and perioperative cardiac care. Her clinical interests include advanced cardiovascular assessment, postoperative management, patient education, and quality improvement initiatives.
In addition to her clinical work, she is a Cross-Appointed Adjunct Lecturer with the Lawrence S. Bloomberg Faculty of Nursing at the University of Toronto and has extensive experience in nursing education, mentorship, and program development. She is passionate about advancing NP practice within specialized cardiovascular care and improving patient outcomes through interdisciplinary collaboration and evidence-informed practice.
Amie Gayle – RN, BSc (Hons), BScN, MN, CCN(C)
Amie Gayle – RN, BSc (Hons), BScN, MN, CCN(C)
Amie Gayle – RN, BSc (Hons), BScN, MN, CCN(C)
Amie Gayle is a Registered Nurse with a strong commitment to improving patient outcomes and experiences through the use of evidence-based care. She holds a Master of Nursing- Leadership and Professional Nursing Practice from Western University (UWO) and a Cardiovascular Nursing Certificate from Conestoga College. In 2022, Amie earned her CNA certification in Cardiovascular Nursing. She currently works at Kawartha Cardiology Clinic in the Heart Function Clinic, providing outpatient management with the aim of reducing emergency department visits and hospitalizations. Her prior clinical experiences include working in emergency departments, remote First Nation Communities, and outpatient cardiovascular testing. Amie is passionate about continual learning and translating knowledge into practical application.
Semhal Gessese, RN, BScN, MScN, PhD Student
Semhal Gessese, RN, BScN, MScN, PhD Student
Semhal Gessese, RN, BScN, MScN, PhD Student
Semhal Gessese is a first-year doctoral student at the University of Ottawa’s School of Nursing, supervised by Dr. Krystina B. Lewis. She is a recipient of the Heart and Stroke Foundation and Brain Canada Personnel Award for Black Scholars. Her doctoral research focuses on the co-development of a culturally tailored patient decision support intervention to help African, Caribbean, and Black communities make informed decisions regarding brain-heart health and promote equitable shared decision-making. Alongside her academic work, she works as a Registered Nurse in the Cardiac Surgery Unit at the University of Ottawa Heart Institute.
Noorin Jamal MN-NP, CCN(C)
Noorin Jamal MN-NP, CCN(C)
Noorin Jamal MN-NP, CCN(C)
Noorin Jamal is a passionate nurse leader with about two decades of clinical and strategic leadership experience. Currently practicing as a Nurse Practitioner in the Transcatheter Valve Program and NP led Heart Function Clinic at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, she holds a Master of Nursing degree from the University of Toronto.
Deeply committed to community service and patient advocacy, Noorin spearheaded the successful refurbishment of the Medical Advisory Service (MAS) in Ontario. This vital clinical consultation and health navigation service is tailored to support over 40,000 Ismaili community members navigating the complexities of the Canadian healthcare system.
Noorin’s leadership extends to prominent healthcare boards. She has served on the Board of Directors for the Aga Khan Health Board and the Nurse Practitioners’ Association of Ontario (NPAO) and the Canadian Council of Cardiovascular Nurses (CCCN). Representing the CCCN, she sits on the Heart and Stroke Foundation’s Heart Failure Action Plan Advisory Committee, actively shaping national cardiovascular care and advocacy strategies.
Carolynn Jones
Carolynn Jones
Carolynn Jones
Carolynn Jones, BScN (pending conferral), is completing her undergraduate nursing degree at Laurentian University in Northern Ontario. She recently completed a fourth-year clinical placement in a Cardiovascular and Thoracic Intensive Care Unit (CVTICU). Prior to nursing, Carolynn spent 10 years as a medic in the military, bringing a strong foundation in acute care and patient-centered practice.
Her academic work focuses on the intersection of food insecurity and cardiovascular risk in rural and road-accessible communities. Her current research, Northern Ontario’s Bitter Harvest: A Case Study of Food Insecurity and Nutrition Equity in a Rural, Road-Accessible Community, has been accepted as a short communication in the Diversity of Research in Health Journal. She is presenting this work at the Canadian Council of Cardiovascular Nurses conference (Poster B).
Carolynn’s interests include cardiovascular prevention, rural health, and advancing health equity through policy-informed approaches, with a focus on improving cardiovascular outcomes in underserved populations.
Freya Kelly, RN, B.Sc.N, MScN
Freya Kelly, RN, B.Sc.N, MScN
Freya Kelly, RN, B.Sc.N, MScN
Freya Kelly is the Advanced Practice Nurse for the University of Ottawa Heart Institute’s Cardiac Supportive and Palliative Care Program, Cardiac Amyloidosis Clinic, and Guideline-Directed Medical Therapy (GDMT) Clinic. She received her Master of Science in Nursing from the University of Ottawa.
Freya has developed a strong interest in project management and is committed to identifying innovative ways to translate evidence-based guidelines and interventions into clinical practice to enhance patient care.
Her research interests include cardiovascular nursing research, cardio-oncology, women’s heart health, patient self-management tools and resources, and the implementation of evidence-based practices.
Chris Kuttnig, RN, BN, CCN(C)
Chris Kuttnig, RN, BN, CCN(C)
Chris Kuttnig, RN, BN, CCN(C)
Graduating with a Bachelor’s degree in nursing from the University of Calgary in 1997, Chris started her nursing career in there. She became a critical care nurse in 1997 and moved back to her home province of Manitoba in 2003 and working in the med/surg ICU. She began her cardiovascular nursing career in 2007 when she became an educator in the Cardiac Sciences program.
She obtained her CNA Cardiovascular certification in 2010. Chris has been an active member of CCCN since 2007. She has been a member on the Manitoba chapter since 2007 and held national positions such as Director of Provincial divisions and Membership as well as participating in the national awards and finance committee. Chris is the current President of CCCN.
Kara Leffler, RN, BScN, CCN(C)
Kara Leffler, RN, BScN, CCN(C)
Kara Leffler, RN, BScN, CCN(C)
Kara Leffler, RN, BScN, is a Cardiac Nurse Clinician with the Cardiac Rehabilitation Program at Royal University Hospital (RUH) in Saskatoon. She brings over 15 years of experience in cardiac nursing, having worked extensively on both the cardiac unit and the cardiac short stay unit as a bedside registered nurse. Kara also served as a Nurse Clinician on the cardiology unit for 3 years before transitioning into her current role in 2025.
She is deeply committed to patient education and is passionate about supporting individuals as they navigate their recovery and ongoing care following a cardiac event.
Julie Lessard
Julie Lessard
Julie Lessard
Dr. Krystina Lewis, RN, MN, PhD, CCN(C)
Dr. Krystina Lewis, RN, MN, PhD, CCN(C)
Dr. Krystina Lewis, RN, MN, PhD, CCN(C)
Dr. Krystina Lewis is Associate Professor in the School of Nursing at the University of Ottawa and Affiliate Researcher at the University of Ottawa Heart Institute. She has been an active member of the CCCN for more than 15 years and currently serves as the Director of Publications on the CCCN Board of Directors. After a decade of cardiovascular nursing practice, she has built a dynamic program of research dedicated to strengthening how patients and the public engage in healthcare decisions. As Co‑Director of the Ottawa Patient Decision Aids Group, she leads collaborative work that brings together people with lived and living experience, clinicians, researchers, and policymakers to co‑produce evidence that is meaningful, relevant, and ready for real‑world use. This work is made possible by the support of leading national funders, the Canadian Institutes for Health Research, the Canada First Research Excellence Fund through the Brain‑Heart Interconnectome, and a Heart & Stroke New Investigator Award (2024-2027).
Brynn Lezak, MN, RNBN
Brynn Lezak, MN, RNBN
Brynn Lezak, MN, RNBN
Leslie McDonald, RN BScN
Leslie McDonald, RN BScN
Leslie McDonald, RN BScN
Nicole Martin, RN, BSN, MSN, CCN(C)
Nicole Martin, RN, BSN, MSN, CCN(C)
Nicole Martin, RN, BSN, MSN, CCN(C)
Nicole Martin is a clinical resource nurse at Royal University Hospital’s inpatient cardiology. Nicole completed her BSN at the University of Saskatchewan in 2015. She began her cardiology nursing career shortly after graduating. She has had the opportunity to work in various roles within cardiology, including the cardiac short stay unit and as a nurse clinician on the inpatient cardiology unit. She has also worked part-time as an instructor with the College of Nursing at the University of Saskatchewan. Nicole completed her MSN through the University of British Columbia Okanagan in 2024, with her capstone project focusing on women’s heart health. She has been working as a clinical resource nurse since July 2025.
Meghan Masztalar, RN, MScN(c), CCN(C)
Meghan Masztalar, RN, MScN(c), CCN(C)
Meghan Masztalar, RN, MScN(c), CCN(C)
Meghan Masztalar graduated with her Bachelor of Science in Nursing in 2020 from the University of Ottawa. Since becoming a registered nurse, she has gained five years of bedside experience on a Cardiac Care Unit at Surrey Memorial Hospital. Through her clinical work, Meghan has developed a passion for cardiovascular nursing, equitable care, and patient involvement in treatment decisions. This interest led her to pursue a Master’s degree at the University of Ottawa’s School of Nursing under the supervision of Krystina Lewis. From her academic work, Meghan has been given opportunities to participate in research within the Brain-Heart Interconnectome program, where she continues to learn about the connections between brain-heart health. Her thesis work focuses on treatment decision-making in aortic stenosis, specifically examining how patients’ cognitive status is incorporated into the decision-making process by healthcare providers.
Jenny Milne
Jenny Milne
Jenny Milne
Jenny was diagnosed with heart failure at 23 and had her mitral valve replaced at 24. She now shares her journey to help others feel seen, supported, and hopeful through her advocacy work within her role with the HeartLife Foundation.
John Mulvihill RN, BSN, CCN(C), CNCC(C)
John Mulvihill RN, BSN, CCN(C), CNCC(C)
John Mulvihill RN, BSN, CCN(C), CNCC(C)
Kristen Neilipovitz, MA, BScN, RN
Kristen Neilipovitz, MA, BScN, RN
Kristen Neilipovitz, MA, BScN, RN
Kristen Neilipovitz is a dedicated registered nurse, currently the Manager of the Cardiac Operating Room at the University of Ottawa Heart Institute. With a diploma in Nursing from the Cité and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Ottawa, she also holds a Master of Arts in Leadership from the University of Guelph. Over her 28-year career, Kristen has specialized in critical care nursing and has held various leadership roles at both the Ottawa Hospital and the University of Ottawa Heart Institute. Known for her compassionate leadership style, Kristen prioritizes kindness and ensures that her teams have a voice in decision-making. She takes pride in having collaborated with numerous talented nurses and allied health professionals, fostering an environment of trust and collaboration. Throughout her career, she has implemented systems of shared governance, enhancing team dynamics, and patient care. As she approaches the latter part of her career, Kristen is passionate about mentoring the next generation of healthcare leaders. She embraces openness and transparency, sharing her experiences and insights to empower future nursing professionals.
Lori Penner, RN-NP, BSN, MN
Lori Penner, RN-NP, BSN, MN
Lori Penner, RN-NP, BSN, MN
Lori Penner began her nursing career in 2012 where she graduated with a Bachelor of Nursing from the University of Saskatchewan. She worked in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan on the Cardiosciences unit and in the Emergency department as a Registered Nurse until 2015 when she went back to school to obtain her Master of Nurse Practitioner in Adult Acute Care from the University of Toronto. Upon graduation, she worked as a Nurse Practitioner for a short period on the Cardiovascular Surgery Unit in Calgary, Alberta before moving back to Saskatoon where she worked with clinical leadership to develop the first Cardiology focused Nurse Practitioner role in Saskatchewan. Currently, Lori works as the Nurse Practitioner on the Cardiosciences unit in Saskatoon full time and casually as a Registered Nurse in the Emergency department. Achievements within the last couple years include obtaining her Certification in Hospital and Acute Care for Nurse Practitioners and publications include Reducing Unnecessary Noninvasive Testing for Inpatients with Unstable Angina: The RUNIT Protocol. Lastly, Lori sits on the Saskatchewan Association of Nurse Practitioner board as the Education co-chair where she aids in providing education opportunities and planning of the yearly Saskatchewan Nurse Practitioners education conference.
Melanie Penner, NP
Melanie Penner, NP
Melanie Penner, NP
Melanie Penner began her nursing career in 2016 where she graduated with a Bachelor of Nursing from the University of Saskatchewan. She then worked in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan in the Emergency department until 2019 when she returned to school and obtained her Master of Nurse Practitioner Family All Ages through the University of Saskatchewan. Upon graduation, she worked in multiple areas including primary care, emergency and oncology. She found her passion within Cardiology in 2024, employed on the cardiology unit in Royal University Hospital. Since this, she continues to work in outpatient cardiology. Achievements include obtaining her Certificate in Hospital and Acute Care for Nurse Practitioners through the University of Toronto. Melanie sits on the Saskatchewan Association of Nurse Practitioners Education committee.
Rody Pike, RN, BN, MN, NP
Rody Pike, RN, BN, MN, NP
Rody Pike, RN, BN, MN, NP
Rodolfo Pike is an Acute Care Nurse Practitioner in St. John’s, NL, specializing in heart function care. A graduate of the General Hospital School of Nursing (1993), he later earned his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Nursing from Memorial University and completed the Acute Care Nurse Practitioner program at the University of Toronto. With extensive experience in critical care and cardiac education, he now practices in a busy heart function clinic. Nationally, Rody served on the Executive Board of the Canadian Heart Failure Society (CHFS) and Co-Chairs its Nursing and Allied Health Committee. He also contributes to the Canadian Heart Failure Guidelines update and collaborates with Heart and Stroke Canada on initiatives such as the National Heart Failure Action Plan, RASI, and the virtual cardiac rehab toolkit. A respected leader, presenter, and author, Rody is the recipient of the Inaugural National Malcolm Arnold Award for mentorship and service in heart failure in a Canadian landscape and most recently was inducted in the Fellows program with the Nurse Practitioner Association of Canada (FNPAC) for outstanding contribution and commitment to advancing the Nurse Practitioner Profession in Canada.
Ashley Salagubas, RN, BSN, CCN(C)
Ashley Salagubas, RN, BSN, CCN(C)
Ashley Salagubas, RN, BSN, CCN(C)
Ashley is a Registered Nurse with 20 years of clinical experience and a specialized focus in cardiovascular care. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BScN) from the University of Saskatchewan in 2007 and developed a strong interest in cardiology early in her career while working as a ward nurse. Since 2017, Ashley has worked as a Cardiac Nurse Clinician within Saskatoon’s Cardiac Rehabilitation Program, where she focuses on chronic disease management and secondary prevention. Her work centers on patient education, risk factor modification, and supporting self-management in individuals living with cardiovascular disease. Ashley holds Canadian Nurses Association (CNA) Certification in Cardiovascular Nursing and is committed to advancing evidence-based care and improving patient outcomes in cardiovascular health.
Julie Sawyer, RN, BScN
Julie Sawyer, RN, BScN
Julie Sawyer, RN, BScN
Julie Sawyer, RN, BScN (She/Her) is a Care Facilitator in the Division of Cardiac Prevention and Rehabilitation at the University of Ottawa Heart Institute. She has over 17 years of cardiac nursing experience, including 13 years on the post-operative cardiac surgery unit. Since becoming a Care Facilitator in 2021, Julie leads and supports several quality improvement initiatives focused on improving access to cardiovascular rehabilitation, optimizing prehabilitation for elective cardiac surgery patients, and enhancing care transitions. She is passionate about patient education, strengthening partnerships, and advancing heart health initiatives, including work focused on Inuit heart health.
Barbara Thiry, BA,BSN,RN
Barbara Thiry, BA,BSN,RN
Barbara Thiry, BA,BSN,RN
Meg Vossen-Anweiler, MN-NP
Meg Vossen-Anweiler, MN-NP
Meg Vossen-Anweiler, MN-NP
Hi everyone. My name is Meg Vossen-Anweiler, MN-NP and I'm a nurse practitioner from Saskatoon, SK. I originally completed my undergrad BScN at University of Saskatchewan, Masters at Dalhousie University in Halifax and continued into flight rescue working for SK Air Ambulance. My clinical background includes working as a critical care NP in Edmonton, AB at the Royal Alexandra Hospital, NP clinical lead for inner-city COVID primary care site, Street Health in the interior and currently in Cardiology at Royal University Hospital specializing in Heart Failure outpatient management. I am a steadfast believer that “if you can’t explain it simply, you don’t know it well enough” so you’ll hear many euphemisms because that’s the way I learn and break down disease details so hope to share this with you all. I feel privileged to be able to be one of your speakers for this conference and look forward to meeting you!
Qian (Connie) Xu, NP
Qian (Connie) Xu, NP
Qian (Connie) Xu, NP
Qian (Connie) Xu is a nurse practitioner (NP), who has practiced at the Peter Munk Cardiac Centre (PMCC) at Toronto General Hospital, UHN, since 2010. Initially, she practiced in General Cardiology, providing care to patients admitted with a variety of cardiac conditions in an acute in-patient setting. Connie transitioned to the outpatient setting and joined the newly launched Thoracic Aortic Surgery Clinic (TASC) in 2020. Along with the multidisciplinary team members in TASC, she actively participates in providing comprehensive patient care, from determining disease etiology and suitable timing for prophylactic surgeries, to ensuring long-term follow-up with appropriate imaging surveillance. As an NP, Connie provides holistic patient care, including thorough history taking and assessment, risk factor modification, patient and family education and psychosocial support. Throughout years of clinical practice, Connie has developed considerable expertise in management of patients with thoracic aortic aneurysm.
Connie is currently cross-appointed with the Lawrence S. Bloomberg, Faculty of Nursing University of Toronto. She holds memberships with College of Nurses of Ontario (CNO), Registered Nurses’ of Ontario (RNAO), Canadian Council of Cardiovascular Nurses (CCCN) and the Collaborative CME and Research Network (CCRN).