CHICAGO – Dr. Annabelle Volgman, director of the Rush Heart Center for Women at Rush University Medical Center, is one of three cardiologists and one of four of the nation’s medical and political leaders to be recognized by WomenHeart: The National Coalition for Women with Heart Disease in Washington.
WomenHeart awarded Volgman the 2019 Wenger Award for Excellence in Medical Innovation, which is one of four award categories.
WomenHeart: The National Coalition for Women with Heart Disease is the nation's only patient-centered organization solely dedicated to advancing women's heart health through patient support, community education and advocacy.
Volgman received this award for her work on strategies to prevent and manage cardiovascular disease, particularly her research interest in antiarrhythmic drugs and anticoagulants for the prevention of atrial fibrillation.
The other three award categories are Excellence in Media, Excellence in Medical Leadership and Research and Excellence in Public Policy. Along with Volgman, this year’s Wenger Award recipients include U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly, D-Illinois, who received the Excellence in Public Policy award, Tara Narula, MD (Excellence in Media), and Carl Pepine, MD (Excellence in Medical Leadership and Research).
They were recognized at an awards presentation at the Capital Hilton in Washington, D.C., on May 20.
Named after Nanette Kass Wenger, MD, a pioneer in women’s cardiovascular medicine and research, the Wenger Award recognizes individuals and organizations for their extraordinary contributions to women’s heart health.
Heart disease is the leading cause of death for women, though only about half of all women are aware of this fact. With one in four women dying each year from heart disease, it is crucial to raise awareness and understand the differences in heart disease between men and women.