Vision that lives on

Ten years ago, Dr. Hude Quan, PhD, had a vision: to improve the lives of Canadians through the prevention of cardiovascular disease.

To bring that vision to life, Quan, a Professor in the Department of Community Health Sciences at the Cumming School of Medicine, brought together a multidisciplinary group of researchers committed to improving cardiovascular health outcomes from the personal to the population level.

That group, the P2 Cardiovascular Health Initiative — made up of researchers specializing in large data, patient engagement, health promotion, health economics, health services and policy research — has since become one of the Libin Cardiovascular Institute’s foundational initiatives.

From its inception, Quan provided thoughtful, steady leadership. Under his guidance, P2 grew into a collaborative community known not only for scientific excellence, but for its culture of generosity, mentorship and shared purpose.

“Anyone who knew Hude would tell you that he was truly unique,” says P2 lead Dr. David Campbell, MD, PhD. “He took his commitment to community seriously. Having Hude there to guide our direction ensured that P2 was always doing innovative and impactful work to support our collaborative.”

Under Quan’s leadership, the group secured numerous grants, thanks, in part, to P2’s infrastructure, which includes opportunities for collaboration between members, seed funding and critical feedback prior to grant submission.  These structures strengthened research capacity and helped position members for long-term success.

Equally important was Quan’s commitment to supporting the next generation. Through P2’s scholarship program, more than $160,000 has been awarded to student researchers and junior career faculty in cardiovascular health promotion.

“The most important thing to know about Dr. Quan is that he was fundamentally one of the kindest people you will ever meet,” says Campbell. “His approach to leadership was always about what is best for others rather than what might be best for him personally. Most of all, Hude was incredibly positive. He always found the best in people and situations.”

That positivity was especially meaningful in the complex and challenging field of public health — a discipline that requires understanding not only disease, but human behaviour.

“Public health is different from other research because it takes into account all aspects of being human,” Quan once reflected. “Our goal is to help people change, and that is very challenging.”

He believed deeply that collaboration was essential to that work — and that improving life expectancy and quality of life through prevention represented one of public health’s greatest opportunities.

At the heart of everything he built was people.

“It’s all about the people who are involved,” Quan said. “And this group has been wonderful. I am really proud of P2, especially watching people succeed.”

Today, his legacy lives on through the researchers he mentored, the students he supported, and the collaborative culture he helped create. The P2 Cardiovascular Health Initiative stands as a testament to his vision and to the lasting impact of leadership rooted in kindness, generosity and belief in others.