Northern Ontario is strengthening its position as a leader in cardiovascular research after Dr. Mohammed Shurrab, HSN Foundation’s Cardiovascular Research Chair, was awarded a highly competitive Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) Project Grant.
The CIHR Project Grant is one of Canada’s most prestigious and competitive health research awards and recognizes the scientific excellence and national significance of Dr. Shurrab's research while reinforcing Northern Ontario's growing role in leading high-impact health research. CIHR received 3,344 applications, with only about 13 per cent receiving funding.
“This award marks a defining milestone for cardiovascular research in Northern Ontario,” said Dr. Shurrab, HSN’s Chief and Medical Director of Cardiology who is a cardiologist, cardiac electrophysiologist, Cardiovascular Research Chair at HSN Foundation and Associate Professor at NOSM University. “It reflects the collective commitment of our mentors, collaborators, trainees, institutions, and donors to building a lasting foundation for research excellence. Together, we are demonstrating that nationally significant research can be led from the North, advancing knowledge, strengthening local capacity, and improving care for patients in our region and across Canada.”
This national achievement builds on years of investment by the Health Sciences North Foundation and its generous donors. Through philanthropic support, the Foundation established the Cardiovascular Research Chair, providing Dr. Shurrab with the time, infrastructure and resources needed to build a nationally competitive cardiovascular research program. That investment laid the foundation for securing one of Canada's most sought-after research grants, effectively demonstrating how community philanthropy can leverage national funding while bringing world-class research to Northern Ontario.
“This is donor impact at its most powerful,” said Anthony Keating, President and CEO, HSN Foundation. “Their generosity has helped turn an important Northern Ontario research idea into a nationally supported study with the potential to improve care for patients throughout Canada and beyond.”
“Dr. Shurrab’s CIHR Project Grant reflects years of dedication, perseverance, and a genuine commitment to excellence in his work,” said Dr. Dennis Ko, Senior Scientist at ICES and
Professor of Medicine at the University of Toronto. “By addressing questions that matter directly to patients and physicians, this research has the potential to strengthen treatment decisions and improve cardiovascular outcomes across Canada. It is also a clear example of how research grounded in Northern Ontario can influence care nationwide.”
“Dr. Shurrab has established himself as one of Canada’s emerging leaders in cardiac electrophysiology and atrial fibrillation research,” said Dr. Jeff Healey, Senior Scientist at the Population Health Research Institute and Professor of Medicine at McMaster University. “His work addresses important clinical questions with the potential to improve outcomes for patients in Northern Ontario and across the country.”
Dr. Shurrab’s research focuses on atrial fibrillation (AF), the most common heart rhythm disorder. Affecting millions of people worldwide, AF can cause fatigue, shortness of breath and dizziness while increasing the risk of stroke, heart failure and death. The funded project will use health data from across Ontario to compare AF treatment options and assess their safety and effectiveness in everyday clinical practice.
Dr. Shurrab and his multidisciplinary team will examine how factors such as age, frailty, kidney disease and other medical conditions influence treatment decisions and outcomes. This work is particularly important for Northern Ontario, where patients are generally older, often have more complex health needs and may travel long distances to access specialized cardiac care. By reflecting the realities of Northern patients, the findings will support informed treatment decisions, reduce complications and hospital stays, and advance safer, more personalized heart care locally and across Canada.
David McNeil, President and CEO, HSN, said the best healthcare is driven by excellence in patient care, education and research working together.
“Here at HSN, we are rooted in excellence, and our teams provide world-class care,” said McNeil. "The work of Dr. Shurrab and his team are proof of that. This research will have a global impact. Congratulations to Dr. Shurrab on this significant accomplishment.”
The CIHR Project Grant, worth almost $150,000, represents more than a research award, said Dr. Shurrab. It demonstrates how philanthropic investment can attract nationally competitive funding, build research excellence and improve care for patients close to home. For more information about the CIHR Project Grant, please visit: https://cihr-irsc.gc.ca/e/54787.html