Embargoed until 7 a.m. CT / 8 a.m. ET Wednesday, Oct. 26, 2022

DALLAS, Oct. 26, 2022 – The American Heart Association is presenting its Clinical Research Prize to Eldrin F. Lewis, M.D., M.P.H., FAHA, of Stanford University School of Medicine. He will receive his award during the Presidential Session on Sunday, Nov. 6 at the Association’s Scientific Sessions 2022. The meeting will be held in person in Chicago and virtually, Saturday, Nov. 5 through Monday, Nov. 7 and is a premier global exchange of the latest scientific advancements, research and evidence-based clinical practice updates in cardiovascular science.

“Dr. Eldrin Lewis is a clinician scientist who is engaged in patient centered research that embraces the full spectrum of patient care. His work focuses on point-of-care initiatives that improve quality of life and care delivery models for patients who are diagnosed with heart failure,” said Association President Michelle A. Albert, M.D., M.P.H., FAHA. “His clinical research is creating more opportunities for patients to participate in the research process through self-reporting and utilizing technology and therapy to improve outcomes. Congratulations and thank you, Dr. Lewis!”

Dr. Lewis’s career as a researcher and clinical physician is focused on preventing heart failure, managing advanced stages of cardiovascular disease and finding a balance between prolonging life and preserving quality of life. He aims to shape the way the quality of patients’ lives is assessed during clinical trials and at the point-of-care, and his goal is for that information to be used when making treatment plans. In his mind, through preventing the advancement of cardiovascular disease, clinicians will be ultimately preserving quality of life for patients. Strategies to improve patients’ well-being includes depression, anxiety, exercise capacity, ability to perform activities of daily living, as well as physical symptoms.

His current grant-funded work is focused on developing stem cell interventions for advanced stage heart failure; exploring the relationship between sleep apnea and heart failure progression; evaluating the effects of sodium intake on outcomes related to heart failure; reducing readmissions for patients with heart failure; and increasing patient understanding of ventricular assist devices prior to implantation. He has plans to refine electronic measures that will capture patient quality of life that can then be incorporated into patient treatment plans, utilize smartphone apps to aid in modifying patient behavior and capture health data to assess cardiovascular risks more accurately. He also plans to increase the effectiveness of peer support by expanding the links between clinical guidelines and patient care.

“I am honored to be the recipient of the Association’s 2022 Clinical Research Prize,” said Dr. Lewis. “Thinking of the scientists who have won this award in the past — including Drs. Marc Pfeffer, Bob Harrington, Harlan Krumholz and others, just to name a few — I am humbled by the giant footsteps I am following. I appreciate the Association for recognizing my work evaluating quality of life in patients with cardiovascular disease and in conducting clinical trials. The patient voice remains an important factor in influencing the scientific advances needed to improve outcomes, and team science enables rapid translation of promising targets into standards of care. My family, friends, mentors and faith continue to motivate me to strive to be the best version of myself, to help those who I serve and hopefully to impact people who I will never meet.” 

Dr. Lewis is the Simon H. Stertzer, M.D., Professor of Medicine at Stanford University School of Medicine. He is chief of the division of cardiovascular medicine and board-certified in advanced heart failure and transplant cardiology, and cardiovascular disease.

Dr. Lewis earned a bachelor’s degree in Pre-Medicine from Penn State University and a Doctor of Medicine from the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania. He also earned a Master of Public Health in Clinical Effectiveness from Harvard School of Public Health. He completed his post-doctoral training including his internship, residency and two clinical fellowships — one in cardiovascular medicine and one in advanced heart failure and transplant — at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston.

Dr. Lewis is recognized globally for his expertise in heart failure, heart transplant and increasing quality of life for patients with heart failure. He has authored nearly 200 peer-reviewed research articles published in the New England Journal of Medicine, Circulation, the Journal of the American College of Cardiology, JAMA Cardiology, JAMA Internal Medicine and more.

Awards recognizing his accomplishments include the Joel Gordon Miller Award for community service and leadership from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, one of the first recipients of the Minority Faculty Development Award, and numerous research grants including one from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation to study the role of quality-of-life assessments in clinical decision making for patients with heart failure. He serves on the FDA Task Force for the Standardization of Definitions for Endpoint Events in Cardiovascular Trials.

He has served in numerous volunteer roles for the Association and is currently the chair of the Scientific Publishing Committee, which leads the Association’s 14 peer-reviewed scientific journals and the Research Committee. He was previously an associate editor for the Circulation: Heart Failure journal, and was a member of the Association’s Founders Affiliate Board of Directors and chair of the Council on Clinical Cardiology. Dr. Lewis has also co-authored clinical practice guidelines and scientific statement on behalf of the Association.

Additional Resources:

The Association receives funding primarily from individuals; foundations and corporations (including pharmaceutical, device manufacturers and other companies) also make donations and fund specific Association programs and events. The Association has strict policies to prevent these relationships from influencing the science content. Revenues from pharmaceutical and biotech companies, device manufacturers and health insurance providers and the Association’s overall financial information are available here. 

The American Heart Association’s Scientific Sessions 2022 is a premier global exchange of the latest scientific advancements, research and evidence-based clinical practice updates in cardiovascular science. The 3-day meeting will feature more than 500 sessions focused on breakthrough cardiovascular basic, clinical and population science updates occurring Saturday through Monday, November 5-7, 2022. Thousands of leading physicians, scientists, cardiologists, advanced practice nurses and allied health care professionals from around the world will convene virtually to participate in basic, clinical and population science presentations, discussions and curricula that can shape the future of cardiovascular science and medicine, including prevention and quality improvement. During the three-day meeting, attendees receive exclusive access to more than 4,000 original research presentations and can earn Continuing Medical Education (CME), Continuing Education (CE) or Maintenance of Certification (MOC) credits for educational sessions. Engage in Scientific Sessions 2022 on social media via #AHA22. 

About the American Heart Association

The American Heart Association is a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives. We are dedicated to ensuring equitable health in all communities. Through collaboration with numerous organizations, and powered by millions of volunteers, we fund innovative research, advocate for the public’s health and share lifesaving resources. The Dallas-based organization has been a leading source of health information for nearly a century. Connect with us on heart.org, Facebook, Twitter or by calling 1-800-AHA-USA1. 

###

For Media Inquiries:

AHA News Media in Dallas: 214-706-1173; ahacommunications@heart.org

Michelle Kirkwood: 703-457-7838; michelle.kirkwood@heart.org

For Public Inquiries: 1-800-AHA-USA1 (242-8721)

heart.org and stroke.org