Laura Ernande, a brilliant cardiologist and a cherished member of the EACVI Community, passed away tragically on 11 January 2025. Her loss leaves an irreplaceable void in the hearts of her colleagues, friends, and family.
A graduate of the Claude Bernard University Lyon 1 and the Clermont Auvergne University, Laura pursued her passion for medicine with unwavering dedication. Following a post-doctoral research fellowship at the Harvard Medical School, she joined the faculty of medicine at the Henri-Mondor University Hospital in Créteil, Paris, where she excelled as an Associate Professor of Physiology and a skilled cardiologist. In 2021, she was appointed as leader of cardiac readaptation at the Albert Chevalier site, a testament to her commitment to patient care and innovation.
Laura's impact on the EACVI extended far beyond her clinical expertise. As the inaugural Chair of the "Club 35" – the EACVI's young community – she championed the needs and aspirations of young professionals in cardiovascular imaging. When the Club 35 initiative was launched in 2010, young members represented less than 5% of the entire EACVI Membership. With her foresight and determination, Laura fostered a supportive environment for young doctors, providing valuable mentorship, educational opportunities, and a platform for collaboration. Recognising the evolving needs of the younger generation, she played a crucial role in the transition of "Club 35" into the "Heart Imagers of Tomorrow (HIT)", a community that now represents over 40% of the EACVI Membership.
Laura's contributions to the EACVI were multifaceted. She served on the Congress Programme Committee (2014-2016) and as Chair of the Web and Education Committee (2014-2016), consistently advocating for high-quality education and dissemination of knowledge. Her research focused on the critical role of imaging in diabetes and metabolic disorders, and she actively participated in the development of consensus papers, including the landmark document on restrictive cardiomyopathy.
Beyond her impressive professional achievements, Laura was a beloved colleague and friend. Her warmth, kindness, and infectious enthusiasm brightened every room she entered. She was a constant source of support and encouragement, always willing to lend a helping hand and celebrate the successes of others.
Laura Ernande leaves behind a legacy of excellence, compassion, and unwavering dedication to her profession. Her memory will forever be cherished by the EACVI Community and all those whose lives she touched.
She passed away too soon, and we will miss her terribly.
Here below is a small poem dedicated to her.
Laura
She mended hearts with skillful hands,
A healer born to understand.
Through trials faced with courage deep,
A soul that storms could never keep.Her laughter bright, a beacon’s light,
In festive hours that crowned the night.
We danced, we sang, we dreamed as one,
Until the stars outshone the sun.Now she’s beyond the stormy skies,
The pain, the strife, the long goodbyes.
She leaves behind a tender spark,
A child, her light within the dark.The tides of time seem strange and vast,
How is it all so far, so fast?
Yet in our hearts, she’s always near,
Her joy, her love, her voice so clear.
Poem by Bernard Cosyns