Valentin Fuster, MD, PhD, President of Mount Sinai Fuster Heart Hospital, has been chosen by the World Heart Federation (WHF) to present the first Annual WHF Oration during the European Society of Cardiology Congress and WHF World Congress of Cardiology in Madrid.
The lecture is scheduled for Saturday, August 30. It honors individuals whose work has significantly impacted global cardiovascular health through clinical practice, research, education, and leadership. Dr. Fuster’s presentation will address the importance of early detection and education to improve cardiovascular health worldwide.
“About 80 percent of fatal and non-fatal cardiovascular disease occurs in low- and middle-income countries, so we must think globally about health and education. I am most appreciative of this honor by the World Heart Federation,” said Dr. Fuster, who also serves as Physician-in-Chief at The Mount Sinai Hospital and General Director of Spain’s Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares.
“We are honored to have Dr. Fuster deliver our Inaugural Oration. His unparalleled commitment to advancing cardiovascular science and his lifelong advocacy for global heart health make him an inspiring figure to launch this tradition. With the European Society of Cardiology Congress and World Congress of Cardiology taking place in his home country of Spain, the timing and symbolism are particularly meaningful,” said Jagat Narula, MD, PhD, FESC, President of the World Heart Federation.
“WHF leaders envision this oration becoming the most prestigious fixture of future annual World Congresses of Cardiology. Dr. Fuster is a pre-eminent leader in cardiovascular medicine. His contributions to the field, and to prevention and treatment of heart disease globally, are mammoth, and will set a high standard of thought leadership and innovation for years to come and a high bar for the future honorees,” said Dr. Narula.
Dr. Fuster has held several roles at Mount Sinai since being named Director of its Cardiovascular Institute in 1994; he became Director when Mount Sinai Heart was established in 2006 until stepping down from that role at the end of 2022. Under his leadership, what is now called Mount Sinai Fuster Heart Hospital developed into a major center for cardiovascular care, cardiac surgery, and advanced research.
Among other achievements noted by WHF is Dr. Fuster’s involvement with developing a single “polypill” that combines three medications typically taken separately to help prevent secondary adverse events among people who have already experienced a heart attack—a measure shown by Dr. Fuster’s team to reduce mortality by 33 percent in such patients. This polypill has recently been added to the World Health Organization’s List of Essential Medicines while awaiting Food and Drug Administration approval in the United States.
Dr. Fuster’s research on how cardiovascular events originate contributed to better treatments for heart attack patients; it earned him recognition such as Spain’s Prince of Asturias Award for Technical and Scientific Research in 1996—the nation’s highest international award—and France’s Grand Prix Scientifique from its Institute for work on atherothrombotic disease in June 2011. He was also named a Prince Mahidol Award Laureate in Thailand recognizing his career-long contribution to medicine; since 2022 there is an American College of Cardiology “Valentin Fuster Award in Science and Innovation” given annually over fourteen years.
Dr. Fuster holds top honors from leading international organizations: American Heart Association (Gold Medal/Research Achievement), American College of Cardiology (Living Legend/Life Achievement), European Society of Cardiology (Gold Medal), Interamerican Society (Research Achievement). King Juan Carlos I made him Marquis in May 2014 citing his “outstanding…research efforts” along with educational outreach work.
He also received WHF’s Lifetime Achievement Award honoring his contributions toward fighting global heart disease through service aligned with WHF’s mission.
Mount Sinai remains recognized internationally for cardiology care: its Mount Sinai Fuster Heart Hospital ranks No. 2 nationwide for cardiology/heart/vascular surgery according to U.S News & World Report; it also leads New York State rankings while placing sixth worldwide per Newsweek’s specialized hospital list.[source]
The hospital operates within New York City’s largest academic medical system—Mount Sinai Health System—which includes seven hospitals plus numerous ambulatory centers across NYC boroughs,[source] Westchester County,[source] Long Island,[source] Florida,[source] thousands physicians,[source] joint venture centers,[source] multidisciplinary institutes,[source] plus repeated inclusion on best hospital lists.[source]
For further details visit mountsinai.org or follow their official social media channels.
