Valentin Fuster, MD, PhD, receives Heart of New York City Legacy Award

Dr. Fuster serves as Director of Mount Sinai Heart and physician-in-chief of The Mount Sinai Hospital in New York.

Honor celebrates a lifetime of outstanding influence and impact in the field of medicine.

The American Heart Association, the leading voluntary health organization devoted to a world of longer, healthier lives announced today that world-renowned cardiologist Dr. Valentin Fuster, MD, PhD, will receive the Heart of New York City Legacy Award at the 2021 New York City Digital Heart & Stroke Ball on Wednesday, June 9.

The Heart of New York City Legacy Award is a first-time tribute. This award honors an individual whose exceptional career, lifetime of outstanding influence in the field of medicine and unparalleled leadership, service, and dedication to the health of our community must be celebrated. This significant honor is bestowed upon a healthcare leader in recognition of their support of the well-being of all New Yorkers, and beyond, their pivotal position in their communities and their long-term passion and dedication as a leader with the American Heart Association in support of its mission.

“It is a great honor to receive this special tribute from the American Heart Association, recognizing the many decades of work we have done to fight heart disease in New York City, across the United States, and around the globe.” said Dr. Fuster, who serves as director of Mount Sinai Heart and physician-in-chief of The Mount Sinai Hospital in New York. “Health starts with the heart, and as long as heart disease remains the number one killer, we will continue battling to prevent it, treat it and better understand it. While we have come a long way, our work to create a healthier world is far from over.”

Dr. Fuster is internationally recognized as one of the world’s most acclaimed cardiologists in clinical care, research, and education. He has received honorary doctorates from 33 universities worldwide, he has served as the Editor-in-Chief of “Nature Reviews Cardiology” and currently serves as the Editor-in-Chief of “The Journal of the American College of Cardiology”. He is an author on more than 1,000 scientific articles in international medical journals and has published two leading books on clinical cardiology and research.

Among his many achievements, it is noteworthy that Dr. Fuster is the only cardiologist to have received the highest awards for research from the three leading cardiovascular organizations: the American Heart Association (Gold Medal and Research Achievement Award), the American College of Cardiology (Living Legend and Life Achievement Award) and the European Society of Cardiology (Gold Medal). In addition, in May 2014, King Juan Carlos I of Spain granted Dr. Fuster with the title of Marquis for his “outstanding and unceasing research efforts and his educational outreach work”.

Dr. Fuster has served as president of the American Heart Association, president of the World Heart Federation and is a member of the U.S. National Academy of Sciences. With his expertise and experience Dr. Fuster has worked for more than four decades to create substantial and enduring bonds with scientists and health organizations around the world. His efforts have allowed the American Heart Association to address disparities that exist in cardiovascular disease risk factors, awareness, life expectancy, and resources to treat these diseases in countries across the globe.

“We are incredibly honored to be able to recognize Dr. Valentin Fuster for his renowned career, and we look forward to many years of continued collaboration throughout New York City and the world,” said Meg Gilmartin, Executive Director/Senior Vice President, American Heart Association. “We thank Dr. Fuster for embodying the mission of the American Heart Association. He truly is a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives.”

For more information about the Legacy Award and the 2021 Digital Heart & Stroke Ball please contact Tara.Kleshefsky@heart.org.