Canadian Society of Echocardiography (CSE) Annual Achievement Award

Supported by the Canadian Society of Echocardiography (CSE)

This award recognizes Canadian cardiologists who have made significant contributions to echocardiography in terms of leadership, teaching or research.

Dr. Bibiana Cujec, 2009

The Pleasure of Work

For Dr. Bibiana Cujec, a good day means dealing effectively with her workload.

“My parents were immigrants,” she says. “They taught me that whatever I did, I had to do very, very well. In terms of my work, that means helping patients, being Internal Medicine Clerkship Director at University of Alberta and not getting behind.”

Dr. Cujec has worked in echocardiography for the past 20 years, using echocardiography as a tool to address various clinical questions such as causes of stroke, effect of patent foramen ovale on oxygenation in patients with respiratory failure and the assessment of  valvular disease associated with systemic disorders. She was the Director of the Echocardiography Laboratory at the Royal University Hospital in Saskatoon for many years.

As her career advanced, Dr. Cujec has been a member of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada Cardiology Examination Board, she has helped develop standards of practice and guidelines for the Canadian Cardiovascular Society and the Canadian Society of Echocardiography, and is currently President of the latter.

“If it’s enjoyable and challenging, you don’t perceive it as work,” she says. “I’ve been very fortunate to work in a stimulating environment with supportive colleagues. It’s important to have a collegial atmosphere if you’re going to excel.”

Not only has Dr. Cujec’s involvement in the organizations given her a great circle of friends, it also allows her to influence the direction of the profession and keep track of international developments. The cross-fertilization helps her funnel knowledge down to the students and residents.

“They are my proudest achievement,” she says. “It’s like watching your child grow and become smarter than you, but differently because generations learn in different ways. And it’s nice to help people along their path.”