243 - FACING CHALLENGES AND CREATING OPPORTUNITIES: HOW TO THRIVE IN A CULTURE OF BULLYING

Panelist(s)

• 

  Sonia Anand, FRCPc, FCAHS, FRS(c) (she/her/hers)

  MD, PHD
  McMaster University
  McMaster University
• MR

  Marc Ruel, MD, MPH, FRCSC, FAHA, FCCS, FACC

  Chair in Minimally Invasive Cardiac Surgery | Professor of Surgery
  University of Ottawa Heart Institute - Ottawa, ON
  University of Ottawa Heart Institute
• KS

  Kamal Sharma, n/a

Presenter(s)

• 

  Alexandra Bastiany, MD, FRCPC

  Cardiologist
  CAIC
  Northern Ontario School of Medicine (NOSM)
• 

  Debraj Das, MD MSc FRCPC FACC DRCPSC (he/him/his)

  Interventional Cardiologist
  Royal Alexandra Hospital
  Royal Alexandra Hospital & CK Hui Heart Centre
• 

  Margot Davis, MD SM FRCPC FCCS (she/her/hers)

  Cardiologist
  University of British Columbia
  University of British Columbia

Trainee(s)

• EH

  Elizabeth Hillier, MD

Moderator(s)

• 

  Sharon Mulvagh, MD FRCPC FASE FACC FAHA

  Cardiologist
  Dalhousie University
  Dalhousie University

Administrator ( Guidelines Submission Only )(s)

• KP

  Kendra Pelland, BSc, MSc

  Program Manager
  Canadian Cardiovascular Society

Planning Committee Member(s)

• 

  Daisy Dulay, n/a

  Director of Patient Safety and Quality
  Island Health
  UBC
• 

  Isabelle Greiss, MD, B.Pharm, FRCPC (she/her/hers)

  Cardiac Electrophysiologist
  University of Montreal Hospital Center
  Faculty of Medicine, University of Montreal
• EH

  Elizabeth Hillier, MD
• TJ

  Tisha Joy, MD, FRCPC
• 

  Sharon Mulvagh, MD FRCPC FASE FACC FAHA

  Cardiologist
  Dalhousie University
  Dalhousie University
• KS

  Kamal Sharma, n/a

Workshop Description: Career advancement is important for all professionals as it encompasses recognition, leadership opportunities, financial rewards, and flexibility. However, some challenging workplace environments can hinder the ability to achieve these goals, and some people are impacted more than others. For instance, women historically have experienced imposed inequity in administrative burdens alongside insufficient mentorship, allyship and sponsorship resulting in limitations on career trajectories. In addition, evidence shows that women are less often first or senior authors on accepted publications, especially societal guidelines documents, where they have also been less likely to be named a chair or co-chair of a guideline writing panel. Like global assessments, survey data from CCS in 2021 revealed bias and discrimination disproportionately affecting women and racialized populations, and impacting research funding, leadership opportunities, productivity, and patient care quality.
To address these challenges, organizational leaders must establish policies and practices to foster healthy professional cultures inclusive of respectful workplace environments. Important components of these policies include implementation of zero-tolerance policies for bullying and harassment, and mechanisms to address such actions if they should occur, including both macro- and microaggressions. Actionable strategies to support professionalism in cardiovascular specialties and provide guidance in the navigation of discrimination and harassment can be shared through practical and experiential case-based learning: 3 case scenarios will be presented and discussed by members of the CCS EDI Committee.
This workshop aims to equip cardiovascular professionals with tools to create inclusive environments that promote fairness and inclusion. By addressing systemic issues such as inadequate mentorship, underrepresentation in leadership roles, and workplace harassment, organizations can cultivate a culture where every individual thrives professionally while contributing to improved patient care outcomes.