Dr. L. Brent Mitchell honoured as he steps down as director of the Libin Cardiovascular Institute of Alberta

Comment on this story

Posted November 5, 2009

By Kyle Glennie

Dr. L. Brent Mitchell speaks at the Libin Institute's "Smug Mug" dinner in his honour: Photo by Rebecca RowleyDr. L. Brent Mitchell has been a fixture at UCalgary Faculty of Medicine for over two decades, and in that time he's come to be an important figure in the lives of countless colleagues, students and patients.  With this in mind it certainly was no shock to see close to 200 people attend the Libin Cardiovascular Institute's "Smug Mug" dinner honouring his leadership.

After becoming director of the Libin Institute in 2004, Mitchell's five-year term has come to an end.  The only Institute director at the Faculty of Medicine to serve his full term, Mitchell has steered the Libin Institute from its early days to its current status as a national leader in cardiovascular care and research.  With many achievements, and even more humourous stories and anecdotes to share, Mitchell, or "Mitch" as he's know by many, is a charismatic and gifted physician who will be missed as director.

"Mitch has played a very important role at a critical time in the development of cardiovascular medicine in Calgary," says Dr. Eldon Smith, chair of the Strategic Advisory Board of the Libin Institute and a former dean of the Faculty of Medicine. "Under his leadership, Mitch has brought cardiologists and cardiac surgeons in Calgary together into a cohesive group."

While Mitchell was no doubt the reason for the dinner celebration, he was forced to share the stage with a familiar companion.  His ‘smug mug'-a coffee mug that looks exactly like Mitchell himself and doubled as the title of the evening's festivities-featured prominently in the slide shows and many stories that were shared by his colleagues and friends.

Another highlight of the evening was the announcement of a research prize created in Mitchell's honour.

"The L.B. Mitchell Fellow Research Award will be given annually to a Fellow in our training programs, either cardiology or surgery. This will largely be funded from the body of funds collected to support the prize, and we hope it will amount to between $2500 and $5000," explains Smith.

After leaving an immense footprint on the history of cardiac health care in our province and beyond, Mitchell looks back fondly on his past 17 years of service.

"There were sacrifices and difficult periods, but there were also achievements and great successes.  We have nation-leading cardiac patient care outcomes, exceptional training programs, and a superb research enterprise.  I thank those whose support enabled these successes and appreciate the kindness shown at the dinner and by the creation of the research prize."

If you'd like to contribute to the Dr. L. Brent Mitchell Fellowship Research Fund, please go to http://netcommunity.ucalgary.ca/BrentMitchell

 

2008 University of Calgary - Faculty of Medicine. All rights reserved.