Ed O'brien, MD, Frcpc
About Ed O'brien, MD, Frcpc
Ed O'Brien, MD, FRCPC, is a Canadian Certified Physician Executive with extensive experience in cardiology and vascular biology. He has held significant academic and research positions, including roles at the University of Ottawa Heart Institute and the University of Calgary, and has contributed to important discoveries in atherosclerosis and immune response.
Work at Canadian Medical Association
Ed O'Brien currently holds the title of Canadian Certified Physician Executive (CCPE) at the Canadian Medical Association. He has been in this role since 2014, contributing to the organization for a decade. His work focuses on enhancing the quality of healthcare delivery and promoting effective healthcare leadership across Canada.
Education and Expertise
Ed O'Brien earned his Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry and Nutrition from the University of Ottawa from 1978 to 1981. He then completed his MD at the University of Ottawa from 1981 to 1985. O'Brien furthered his medical training with a residency in Internal Medicine at the University of British Columbia from 1986 to 1989, followed by a Cardiology Residency at the Ottawa Heart Institute from 1989 to 1991.
Background
O'Brien has extensive experience in cardiology and vascular biology. He worked at the University of Ottawa Heart Institute as a Professor of Medicine (Cardiology) for 17 years, from 1994 to 2011. He also served as an Interventional Cardiologist and Director of the Vascular Biology Laboratory during this time. His academic career continued at the University of Calgary, where he held various positions, including Chief of Cardiology and Research Chair.
Achievements
O'Brien has made significant contributions to cardiovascular research, including the discovery of Heat Shock Protein 27 (HSP27) as a protector against atherosclerosis. His research demonstrated the role of HSP25 vaccination in lowering cholesterol levels and reducing inflammatory biomarkers. He has also developed the concept of 'ICAST' based on in vitro studies, contributing to advancements in understanding immune complex signaling.
Professional Affiliations
Ed O'Brien has held various leadership roles in professional organizations. He served as Vice Chair of the Advisory Board for the Institute of Gender & Health at the Canadian Institutes of Health Research from 2013 to 2019. Additionally, he was a member of the Women’s Heart and Brain Health Research Steering Committee at Heart and Stroke from 2018 to 2021, focusing on women's health issues in cardiovascular research.