The Stephenson Cardiovascular MR Centre
The Stephenson CMR Centre at the Libin Cardiovascular Institute of Alberta is a diagnostic facility dedicated exclusively to Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance (CMR).
- Libin Institute CMR Protocol Adopted World Wide: Millions Impacted by New Standardized Approach
- Dr. Matthias Friedrich , Director of the Stephenson CMR Centre of the Libin Institute, was interviewed by the Editor-In-Chief of the Journal of the American College of Cardiology, Dr. Anthony DeMaria regarding publication of their first-ever White Paper
- A new University of Calgary lead study shows doctors can quickly identify difficult-to-diagnose heart attacks with the help of MRI technology, speeding up treatment when time is at a premium.
- Husky Energy makes a $1 million donation to the Stephenson Cardiovascular MR Centre
History
The Centre was envisioned and initiated by Dr. Neil Filipchuk, Director of Nuclear Cardiology at the Department of Cardiac Sciences of the University of Calgary and the Calgary Health Region. Ken Stephenson, a Calgary businessman and philanthropist, has contributed with a generous donation and also by raising additional funds. The Stephenson Cardiovascular MR Centre opened to the public on March 16, 2005. As part of the Libin Cardiovascular Institute of Alberta, the centre provides clinical service and research to the University of Calgary and the Calgary Health Region.
Staff
The Centre Director is Dr. Matthias Friedrich, Associate Professor with the Departments of Cardiac Sciences and Radiology, University of Calgary. Dr. Friedrich is a cardiologist and was formerly the Director of the CMR program at the Franz-Volhard-Klinik at the Humboldt University in Berlin, Germany before he was recruited to Calgary in 2004.
Read more about Dr. Friedrich...
Physician Researchers
- Matthias Friedrich, MD
- Oliver Strohm, MD
- Neil Filipchuk, MD
- Jacqueline Flewitt, MSc
- Jordin Green, PhD
- James Hare, MD
- Christian Holzhueter, MD
- Andrew Howarth, MD
- Stuart Hutchison, MD
- Andreas Kumar, MD
- Naeem Merchant, MD
- Yoko Mikami, MD
- David Patton, MD
- Sarah Weeks, MD
Students
- Myra Cocker
- Anna Schmidt
- Judy Luu
- Helene Childs
- Cheryl Zvaigzne
Research Nurses
- Linda Fauth, RN
- Sandra Rivest RN
- Rosa Sandonato RN
Technologists
- Loreen Thon RT
- Sheri Lee Rinella RT
Assistants
- Sharon Boutin
- Kristy Mahar
- Carrie Lac
Clinical Service
The Stephenson CMR Centre offers clinical CMR applications in:
- Ischemic heart disease
- Cardiomyopathies including arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy/dysplasia
- Myocarditis
- Cardiac masses
- Valvular heart disease
- Congenital heart disease
Research Areas
The team has a strong interest in characterizing diseased myocardial tissue and currently has a focus in the following areas:
- Visualization of myocardial inflammation
- Visualization of tissue edema in acute myocardial injury
- Visualization of tissue oxygenation in myocardial ischemia
CMR Training
The Stephenson CMR Centre offers a structured CMR Training Program for cardiologists and radiologists including theoretical and practical lessons. Training opportunities range from 4-day courses up to 3-month or 12-month fellowships.
- Short term registration form (Word document)
- One year term registration form
- Stephenson CMR Centre Training Program brochure
- Stephenson CMR Centre Refresher Course schedule
- Stephenson CMR Centre objectives for training in Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance
- Stephenson CMR Centre Cardiology Training Program evalution report
- General terms and conditions including eligibility requirements
- Contact info
For further information, please e-mail cmr.training@ucalgary.ca


