Scientific pioneer Julio C. Palmaz, M.D., F.A.H.A., Health Science Center professor of radiology and inventor of the Palmaz Stent®, has been selected as the Distinguished Scientist of American Heart Association (AHA). It is the most honorific membership category of the association, created in 2003 to honor the AHA and American Stroke Association members who have made extraordinary contributions to cardiovascular and stroke research.
His title as Distinguished Scientist of the AHA recognizes his work that has advanced the understanding and management of cardiovascular disease and stroke. The criteria used by the selection committee were the novelty, significance and impact of his research, as well as his stature in the field.
The Palmaz Stent®, patented in 1988 and U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved in 1994, eliminated the need for open-heart surgery and other vascular bypasses in thousands of patients. Two million people each year have balloon angioplasty with stents to open diseased vessels in the heart and legs.
The recipient of the 2003 Presidential Scholar Award, Dr. Palmaz has been recognized by several other organizations for his achievements. Notable awards include the Texas Heart Institute’s Ray C. Fish Award for Scientific Achievement in Cardiovascular Disease, the State Bar of Texas’ Outstanding Texas Inventor, the Andreas Gruntzig Award for best inventor, the Transcatheter Cardiovascular Therapeutics Achievement Award and the American Heart Association’s Gala of Gold Honoree.
