Officer of the Order of Canada
Awarded on: 2008-10-23
Invested on: 2010-04-07
One of our leading cardiac surgeons, Arvind Koshal has significantly contributed to the advancement of health care in Canada. He has performed innovative techniques that have been adopted across the country, and was on the team that conducted the first total heart implant in Canada. He also performed the nation's first implantation of a left ventricular assist device, a small pump that improves blood flow. As the chief cardiac surgeon with the Capital Health Authority and the University of Alberta, he has developed its cardiac program into one of the largest in Canada. He has also been instrumental in the creation and development of the Mazankowski Heart Institute, one of the most advanced cardiac care centres in the country.