American Heart Association 

Eldrin F. Lewis, MD, has been named president of the Western States region Board of Directors for the American Heart Association (AHA). Dr. Lewis is a heart failure cardiologist, Stanford Medicine professor, and chief of the Division of Cardiovascular Medicine. He has held multiple roles for the AHA, including chair of the Scientific Publishing Committee, which leads the AHA’s 14 peer-reviewed scientific journals. In his new role, Dr. Lewis will guide a group of community, business, and health care leaders in driving the AHA mission to support longer, healthier lives and ensure equitable health.

Dr. Lewis has a long history of exceptional patient care, clinical research, and leadership in cardiovascular medicine. He specializes in caring for patients with advanced heart failure and has achieved international recognition for his expertise in heart failure and heart transplant care. He has conducted clinical trials funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute. He also leads quality-of-life research focused on patient-reported outcomes.

Dr. Lewis has authored clinical practice guidelines and statements for the AHA and Food and Drug Administration. In addition to his role with the AHA, Dr. Lewis has served as chair of the Council on Clinical Cardiology and research chair of the Association of Black Cardiologists.

American Association for Thoracic Surgery 

Joseph Woo, MD, a cardiothoracic surgeon, Stanford Medicine professor, and chair of the Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, has been named vice president of the American Association for Thoracic Surgery (AATS). Founded in 1917, the AATS is one of the world’s leading associations for cardiothoracic surgeons. This prestigious election places Dr. Woo in line to become the AATS president for the 2026-2027 term.

Dr. Woo is a nationally recognized surgeon, researcher, innovator, and educator. He is a board-certified, fellowship-trained cardiothoracic surgeon treating more than 300 pump cases annually and specializing in complex mitral and aortic valve repair surgery. Dr. Woo has developed innovative cardiothoracic surgical techniques, serves as principal investigator for two studies funded by NIH grants, and receives continuous NIH funding for his clinical research. He has served as a primary investigator in several clinical device trials. He was also the primary investigator for clinical trials administering stem cells during coronary artery bypass grafting and left ventricular arterial device (LVAD) implantation. He has published more than 450 articles in peer-reviewed journals.

Society for Vascular Surgery

Jason T. Lee, MD, a vascular surgeon, Stanford Medicine professor, and chief of vascular surgery, has been selected to the important role of program chair for the Society for Vascular Surgery (SVS) Vascular Annual Meeting. Founded in 1946, the SVS aims to innovate and advance vascular care through research, advocacy, public awareness, and education. Dr. Lee’s term lasts from 2024 - 2027.

Dr. Lee is a world-renowned leader in vascular surgery. He has held many leadership roles for professional organizations, currently as secretary-treasurer of the Western Vascular Society, and past president of the Vascular and Endovascular Surgery Society and Association of Program Directors in Vascular Surgery.

As a physician-scientist, Dr. Lee has helped advance techniques in minimally invasive endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) and other procedures. He has made nearly 600 presentations globally, co-authored dozens of book chapters, and published more than 200 articles in peer-reviewed journals.

Western Thoracic Surgical Association

Michael Fischbein, MD, PhD, a cardiothoracic surgeon, Stanford Medicine professor, director of Thoracic Aortic Surgery, and Thelma and Henry Doelger Professor of Cardiovascular Surgery, recently completed his term as president of the Western Thoracic Surgical Association (WTSA). The WTSA is a group of the foremost experts in thoracic surgery from the western United States and Canada. They have tremendous influence in shaping thoracic surgery care. Dr. Fischbein ended his term by leading the 50^th annual WTSA meeting, joining a robust list of Stanford Medicine faculty who have served as WTSA president.

Dr. Fischbein has received multiple teaching and research awards, led clinical and basic research, and received grant funding from both the AHA and the NIH. He has focused on the study of aortic aneurysms, thoracic aortic surgery, and transcatheter aortic valve replacement. In addition to his role with the WTSA, Dr. Fischbein has also served as a leader for the Society of Thoracic Surgeons, the American Association for Thoracic Surgery, and the American Heart Association.

Several Stanford Medicine cardiovascular faculty have been elected to national associations and societies. These recognitions highlight their exceptional leadership, research involvement, and credentials:

Election to the American Association for Thoracic Surgery 

Anson Lee, MD, cardiothoracic surgeon and Stanford Medicine professor, is now a member of the American Association for Thoracic Surgery (AATS). This international, peer-elected group includes cardiothoracic surgeons with proven distinction and excellence in their specialty. The AATS seeks to advance the field of cardiothoracic surgery through scholarship, innovation, and leadership.

Dr. Lee has achieved recognition for his work in treating arrhythmias with surgery. He trained under the premier world leader of arrhythmia surgeries through a fellowship at Washington University School of Medicine. Today, he runs a large practice for video-assisted thoracoscopic (VATS) atrial fibrillation hybrid ablation.

Dr. Lee is one of a handful of cardiothoracic surgeons globally who researches and publishes work on hybrid ablation. This innovative technique combines thoracoscopic epicardial ablation with percutaneous catheter-based endocardial ablation. Dr. Lee specializes in treating all types of heart disease, with a particular interest in treating arrhythmias with minimally invasive techniques.

Election to the Association of University Cardiologists

Paul J. Wang, MD, a cardiac electrophysiologist, Stanford Medicine professor, and director of the Cardiac Arrhythmia Service Program, has been elected to the Association of University Cardiologists. This limited, peer-elected group of 135 academic cardiologists includes top leaders and investigators in cardiology. These experts shape the course of research and training in cardiovascular disease nationwide.

As a leader in arrhythmia care for more than 30 years, Dr. Wang has pioneered techniques in arrhythmia management. He was the co-inventor of catheter cryoablation, which has been used to treat more than 1 million patients with atrial fibrillation. He has co-authored numerous textbooks and book chapters and helped write the examination used to certify heart rhythm specialists nationwide.

Dr. Wang also founded the annual Stanford Biodesign New Arrhythmia Technologies Retreat to focus on advances in arrhythmia management and diagnosis. He serves as Editor-in-Chief of Circulation: Arrhythmia and Electrophysiology, one of the field’s foremost scientific journals.

Election to the American Society for Clinical Investigation

Kiran Kaur Khush, MD, a heart failure cardiologist and Stanford Medicine professor, has been elected to the American Society for Clinical Investigation (ASCI). Since 1908, the ASCI has recognized physician-scientists for outstanding scholarly achievement. It is one of the country’s oldest medical honor societies and one of the few focused on the role of physician-scientists in research, clinical care, medical education, and leadership. Each year, the group recommends up to 100 candidates aged 50 or younger. Their Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee helps guide membership selection to include those underrepresented in medicine and science.

Dr. Khush is a board-certified, fellowship-trained cardiologist with a master’s degree in clinical research and epidemiology. She is the leader of the largest ever NIH-funded study to assess donor heart acceptance. Despite increasing demand for heart transplants, around 65% of donor hearts are discarded each year. The five-year Donor Heart Study, which included 4,333 potential heart donors, aimed to:

• Gather data addressing the reasons for donor heart rejection
• Provide evidence-based guidelines to inform decision-making and increase the number of transplants

Election to the Association of American Physicians 

Sean M. Wu, MD, a cardiologist and Stanford Medicine professor, has been elected to the Association of American Physicians (AAP). Founded in 1885, the AAP aims to build a strong community of physician-scientists who value science as an essential foundation for improving patient care and overall health. Inclusion in the AAP is limited to 70 physicians each year, with elections extended to those with outstanding credentials in basic or translational biomedical research.

Dr. Wu is a board-certified cardiologist and avid researcher. He completed cardiac developmental biology research training at Boston Children’s Hospital/Harvard Medical School and has studied this area extensively. His research also focuses on translating stem cells into new treatments for congenital heart disease, adult heart failure, and arrhythmia. In addition, Dr. Wu completed clinical training in echocardiography at Massachusetts General Hospital.

Stanford Health Care programs and Stanford Medicine faculty have earned accreditations and awards that highlight a commitment to exceptional care and outstanding research:

American Heart Association Get With The Guidelines®

Stanford Health Care has received four American Heart Association Get With The Guidelines® quality achievement awards:

• Heart Failure Gold
• AFib Silver
• Coronary Artery Disease STEMI Receiving Center Bronze
• Coronary Artery Disease NSTEMI Bronze

These awards recognize Stanford Health Care’s commitment to improving patient care and cardiovascular outcomes by consistently implementing research-based guidelines for recommended therapies.

Mitral valve repair recognition

Stanford Health Care has received the 2024 Mitral Valve Repair Reference Center Award for the fifth year in a row. This honor, presented by the American Heart Association and Mitral Foundation, recognizes medical centers with excellent outcomes in mitral valve repair surgery. Stanford Health Care is one of only five medical centers on the West Coast recognized in the Mitral Foundation’s directory and the first to earn this award.

Vascular testing award 

The Intersocietal Accreditation Commission (IAC) awarded Stanford Health Care the Silver Milestone for maintaining 25 years of excellence in vascular testing. The nationally recognized accrediting body aims to standardize and advance the quality of intervention-based and diagnostic imaging procedures. Accreditation by the IAC demonstrates Stanford Health Care’s commitment to the highest-quality patient care and continual improvements.

Heart of the Bay Award 

Joseph C. Wu, MD, a cardiologist, Stanford Medicine professor, and director of the Stanford Cardiovascular Institute, was recently honored at the AHA Heart Ball. Dr. Wu, who also serves as 2023-2024 AHA president, was recognized with the Heart of the Bay Award for his innovations and exceptional commitment to ending heart disease.

Dr. Wu has extensive experience and research in stem cell technology, drug development, clinical genomics, and precision medicine. He leads a team of researchers in the Stanford Medicine – Joseph Wu Lab studying human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). By reprogramming iPSCs, the team can develop the stem cells into cell types that make up a human heart.

This groundbreaking work is paving the way for exceptional advancements in precision medicine. Dr. Wu and his team’s research allows for unprecedented accuracy in cardiovascular disease screening, prevention, and treatment.

Albion Walter Hewlett Award

Hannah Valantine, MD, a cardiologist and Stanford Medicine professor, has earned the 2024 Albion Walter Hewlett Award. Established in 1983, this annual award recognizes an exceptional physician with ties to Stanford Medicine. It celebrates those who demonstrate outstanding commitment to clinical excellence, compassionate patient care, and innovative research.

Dr. Valantine completed her cardiovascular medicine fellowship at Stanford University School of Medicine. In the last several decades, her research has focused on improving transplant outcomes, and in 2010, she developed the first blood test detecting organ rejection.

Dr. Valantine has also achieved numerous milestones in increasing diversity and inclusion. In 2004, she was named the Stanford University School of Medicine’s first senior associate dean for Diversity and Leadership. In 2014, she became the NIH’s first chief officer for Scientific Workforce Diversity.

Dr. Valantine has spearheaded multiple efforts to promote inclusivity in research funding and workplaces. She helped establish the Distinguished Scholars Program, which strives to diversify the workforce of principle investigators in the NIH Intramural Research Program. In 2020, Dr. Valantine retired from the NIH and returned to Stanford Medicine as a professor of cardiovascular medicine.

Discover more about advanced heart and vascular care at Stanford Health Care. Our physician-scientists propel the field forward, continually making advancements in cardiovascular medicine and providing leading-edge care for patients throughout California and the United States.