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The Heart of Everything
For grateful cardiology patient Samuel Kolber, giving back is at the heart of everything
Left to right: Dr. Soohun Chun, Samuel Kolber and Libby Leung-Kalman.
When Samuel Kolber was first referred to Women’s College Hospital (WCH), he did not expect it to be the start of a lasting and deep relationship with its cardiology department. Sam was initially referred to Dr. Savannah Cardew in WCH’s Acute Ambulatory Care Unit, where she astutely recognized his symptoms of fluid retention as something that may be related to his heart. Sam was then introduced to Dr. Jacob Udell and his team in cardiology.
“Dr. Udell and the entire Women’s College Hospital team were incredibly thorough. They were committed to finding out the root cause and treating it. It has been a godsend to receive this level of care,” said Sam.
Sam learned of a clinical trial at WCH to investigate how the medication, Finerenone, could potentially help others at risk of heart failure and was quick to volunteer. “Why not be a part of something that could help others like me?” said Sam. At this time, he was introduced to Libby Leung-Kalman and Sara Karlsson, WCH cardiology research coordinators who oversaw and supervised the trial.
After the sudden death of Sam’s father at age 46 by heart attack, he and his brother were raised alone by their mother. His mother, while striving to make ends meet, found ways to give back. Sam remembers her working for women’s charities, supporting the causes close to her and giving back to her community.
Those values are evident in Sam’s own charitable work. He modestly recounts a long history of contributing to children’s charities, including volunteering on telethons and as a clown to visit Sunnyview School and SickKids.
When asked about others who have influenced him, Sam beamed when he spoke lovingly of his late wife, Jacquie. “She was the real philanthropist between us. She was a phenomenal doer, not afraid to approach anyone with hat in hand.” Jacquie devoted years of her time to the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation, the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation and the Mount Sinai Hospital Women's Auxiliary. In 1999, she was one of the first recipients of Ontario's Lieutenant Governor's Community Volunteer Award.
Left to right: Sara Karlsson, Samuel Kolber and Libby Leung-Kalman.
Sam considers himself fortunate to have been supported by so many wonderful people at WCH on his healthcare journey. So, when the cardiology diagnostics lab needed a new piece of equipment to improve its level of care, Sam was quick to step in. He helped WCH acquire a transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) machine, which produces specialized images that provide a more detailed view of the heart by using a probe inserted through the esophagus.
There are limited locations in Toronto that house these specialty machines, which means that most people endure lengthy wait times. The addition of this machine will make a direct impact on patients at WCH by helping reduce patient backlogs from multiple months to just weeks. It is also raising the standard of care within WCH’s cardiology program. Dr. Soohun Chun, Director of the Echocardiography Laboratory, also notes that offering TEE imaging will elevate the hospital’s standard of training, allowing WCH to attract and retain experts specialized in the field of cardiac diagnosis.
“We are blessed and fortunate to have access to these facilities, and the quality of medical expertise they provide,” Sam said of WCH. When asked for advice on how others can give back, he said, “Do what you can. I would hope to do more.”