February 6, 2008

Andrew Wechsler, MD, the Stanley K. Brockman Professor and chair of the Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery at Drexel University College of Medicine, has been awarded the prestigious 2008 Scientific Achievement Award by the American Association for Thoracic Surgery (AATS). The award honors those who have made extraordinary contributions to the specialty of cardiothoracic surgery. Wechsler will be the seventh recipient of this award since its establishment in 1994.

Wechsler has led several National Institutes of Health grants supporting a career-long interest in myocardial ischemia and reperfusion injury, ventricular performance and valve surgery. Recognized as a medical scholar, educator and widely published author, he was recently named editor emeritus of the Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery and has served on the editorial board of ten major journals. He is the author of 330 peer-reviewed manuscripts, 59 book chapters, 29 books and monographs.

"As I look at prior recipients, I'm very humbled because they were individuals of such unique stature.  My own contributions have been modest, but the award and the spirit in which it is given is of critical importance for our specialty, now and in the future," says Wechsler.

In granting Wechsler the Scientific Achievement Award, the AATS noted Wechsler's insightful research and the dedication he's shown in mentoring young cardiac surgeon-scientists. The president of the association will present this award to Wechsler during the group's annual meeting in San Diego in May.