News >>

Miller School Cardiologist Receives AHA Cor Vitae Award

6/4/2009

For the second year in a row, a University of Miami Miller School of Medicine cardiologist is the recipient of the American Heart Association’s Cor Vitae award.  Eduardo de Marchena, M.D., professor of medicine and surgery in the Cardiovascular Division, was presented with the award at the American Heart Association’s 41st annual Miami-Dade Heart Ball, on Saturday, May 30.

Dozens of colleagues, supporters and philanthropists were on hand at the Eden Roc Resort and Spa on Miami Beach for the presentation.  This is just the second year for the Cor Vitae award, which is given to recognize an outstanding physician in Miami-Dade County whose focus is in cardiovascular medicine or stroke.  De Marchena said it was “humbling and a great honor to be recognized by the American Heart Association and to be nominated by such excellent cardiologists, cardiac surgeons and neurologists.”

De Marchena, who is also associate dean of international medicine at the Miller School, is an internationally renowned cardiologist who has spearheaded key programs for the heart transplantation program, interventional cardiology unit and the Atherosclerosis Prevention and Treatment Center, and the International Medicine Institute.  With more than 25 years of clinical experience in South Florida, de Marchena is now leading the charge to enhance cardiovascular treatments overseas, including in Latin America and the Caribbean.

In addition to his clinical and leadership roles, de Marchena is widely recognized for research in interventional cardiology, coronary artery disease and congestive heart failure, with studies in more than 200 publications including The New England Journal of Medicine, Circulation and the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.   He also holds several patents on new cardiac innovations.

In presenting the award, William O’Neill, M.D., executive dean for clinical affairs at the Miller School, described his colleague as a “leader in every facet of cardiology, from research, to education, and treating patients.  Dr. de Marchena is a physician and scientist who continues to set the bar for all of us working to conquer heart disease.”

De Marchena said he was “grateful that the American Heart Association continues to help fund education and research initiatives that are helping us make breakthroughs in the treatment of cardiac medicine.”

Last year, Robert Myerburg, M.D., professor of medicine and physiology at the Miller School, was the inaugural Cor Vitae award winner.  He holds the American Heart Association Chair in Cardiovascular Research and was the principal investigator in several NIH grants focused on the mechanisms of arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death.