The 4th Heritable Aortic Disorders Symposium Brings Together Experts, Patients, and Community Organizations in Vancouver
Vancouver, British Columbia | May 22–23, 2026
Two days. Dozens of expert speakers. Hundreds of conversations. One shared commitment to improving the lives of people affected by heritable aortic disorders.
The 4th Heritable Aortic Disorders Symposium (HAD4) concluded successfully in Vancouver, British Columbia, bringing together healthcare professionals, researchers, patients, families, advocates, and community organizations from across Canada and beyond for two days of learning, collaboration, and connection.
Created to advance education, research, and patient care, HAD4 served as a unique platform for sharing the latest developments in genetics, diagnosis, multidisciplinary care, mental health, exercise, innovation, and patient support for individuals living with heritable aortic disorders.
Day 1 featured CME-certified Scientific Sessions, where leading experts explored topics including genetic contributions to thoracic aortic disease, pediatric care, pregnancy and aortopathy, psychological health, multidisciplinary care models, and emerging therapeutic and research approaches.
Day 2 focused on Community Education, empowering patients, families, and caregivers through accessible presentations on mental wellness, exercise and sports medicine, nutrition, genetics, cardiac imaging, pain management, and transitioning from pediatric to adult care. The day also included moving patient testimonials and opportunities for meaningful discussion and community building.
“Events like HAD4 remind us why this work matters,” said Jida El Hajjar, Executive Director of Loeys-Dietz Syndrome Foundation Canada. “Bringing together experts, patients, families, and advocates creates opportunities not only to share knowledge, but to build the connections that drive research, improve care, and strengthen our community.”
The symposium would not have been possible without the contributions of its speakers, moderators, volunteers, patient partners, attendees, sponsors, and partner organizations, whose collaboration continues to advance education, advocacy, research, and patient-centered care across the heritable aortic disorders community.
Special thanks are extended to The University of British Columbia, St. Paul’s Foundation, Vancouver Coastal Health, Loeys-Dietz Syndrome Foundation Canada, Dilawri Cardiovascular Institute, Genetic Aortic Disorders Association (GADA) Canada, and The Marfan Foundation for their invaluable support in making HAD4 possible.
As the symposium comes to a close, the conversations, partnerships, and ideas generated over these two days will continue to inspire efforts to improve outcomes and quality of life for individuals and families affected by heritable aortic disorders.
Together, we are building a stronger, more connected future for the aortopathy community.
Related Links
Loeys-Dietz Syndrome Foundation Canada – https://loeysdietzcanada.org
Genetic Aortic Disorders Association (GADA) Canada – https://gada.ca
The Marfan Foundation – https://www.marfan.org
For More Information
Maria El Bizri, Knowledge and Community Mobilization Officer
Loeys-Dietz Syndrome Foundation Canada
maria.bizri@loeysdietzcanada.org
514-471-0442 ext. 224