Recognition Awards
Each year the Heart Rhythm Society recognizes outstanding contributions to the field and to the Society through the Society’s Recognition Awards.
Click on each category below for the Heart Rhythm 2024 Awardees.
Categories
Recognition for an Allied who has demonstrated strategic leadership in the HRS allied community throughout his/her career, and in doing so has furthered the field of electrophysiology and patient care
Congratulations to Erica S. Zado, PAC, FHRS, the 2024 Distinguished Allied Professional
Erica Zado is a PA with over 30 years’ experience working in both inpatient and outpatient settings, initially on the general cardiology service and exclusively in EP since 1996. She has been a member of HRS for over 10 years serving on multiple committees including communications, governance, and sessions committees. She is now a member of the Board of Trustees
She was the allied professional section editor for the Heart Rhythm Journal for 10 years and in this capacity wrote a monthly column, EP News: Allied Professionals, which was a mini-review of one recent paper accompanied by one or 2 teaching points specifically focused on clinical care issues. She has also acted as peer reviewer for other journals.
Ms. Zado has numerous abstract presentations at HRS and other scientific sessions, and she is the author or co-author of more than 100 peer reviewed papers including first author on a recent paper published in Heart Rhythm.
Recognition for individuals who have made major contributions to the advancement of scientific knowledge in the field of cardiac pacing and/or cardiac electrophysiology
Congratulations to Glenn I. Fishman, MD, FHRS, the 2024 Distinguished Basic Scientist
Dr. Glenn Fishman is the William Goldring Professor of Medicine, Director of the Leon H. Charney Division of Cardiology and Vice-Chair for Research for the Department of Medicine at NYU Grossman School of Medicine. He received his BA in Chemistry from Cornell University College of Arts and Sciences and his MD from Stanford University School of Medicine. He then completed his Internal Medicine residency at Massachusetts General Hospital, followed by fellowships in clinical cardiology at Columbia-Presbyterian Medical Center and molecular cardiology at Albert Einstein College of Medicine. Dr. Fishman subsequently joined the faculty at Einstein and served as director of Molecular Cardiology. He was recruited to Mount Sinai School of Medicine as the Fishberg Professor of Medicine and Director of the Section of Myocardial Biology. In 2001, Dr. Fishman moved to NYU School of Medicine, where he assumed his current positions, as well as being appointed a Professor in the Departments of Neuroscience & Physiology and Biochemistry & Molecular Pharmacology.
Dr. Fishman is internationally known for his research on cardiac electrophysiology and arrhythmia mechanisms. His laboratory was among the first to create genetically engineered small and large animal models of arrhythmogenic heart disease. His group is also responsible for uncovering some of the molecular circuitry that regulate the formation and function of the specialized cardiac conduction system.
He is the recipient of numerous grants and awards, including the Louis Katz Basic Science Award for Young Investigators, the Established Investigator Award, the Basic Research Prize and the Distinguished Scientist Award - all from the American Heart Association, the Clinical Scientist Award in Translational Research from the Burroughs-Wellcome Fund, and the Gordon K. Moe Award from the Cardiac Electrophysiology Society. Dr. Fishman has been inducted into the American Society for Clinical Investigation, the Association of American Physicians, the Association of University Cardiologists and the American Clinical and Climatological Association. He has served on the Editorial Boards of many biomedical journals and is currently an Associate Editor of Circulation: Arrhythmia and Electrophysiology. He has served as Chair of the Research Committee and as a member of the Board of Trustees of the AHA Founders Affiliate, as a member of the Board of Trustees of the Heart Rhythm Society, as Chair of the NIH Electrical Signaling, Ion Transport and Arrhythmias (ESTA) Study Section and as President of the Cardiac Electrophysiology Society.
Congratulations to Prashanthan Sanders, MBBS, PhD, FHRS the 2024 Distinguished Clinical Scientist
Dr. Prashanthan Sanders, MBBS, PhD is Professor of Medicine and Director of the Centre for Heart Rhythm Disorders at the University of Adelaide, Director of Cardiac Electrophysiology and Pacing at the Royal Adelaide Hospital, and Group Leader for Heart Rhythm Disorders at the South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute. After moving to Australia as a child, he completed his medical training at the University of Adelaide graduating with Honours. He undertook his training in Cardiology at the Royal Adelaide Hospital, followed by subspecialisation in Cardiac Electrophysiology at the Royal Melbourne Hospital and Doctoral studies at the University of Melbourne under the mentorship of Professor Jonathan Kalman. His doctoral studies evaluated the substrate for AF and the mechanism of atrial thrombogenesis in atrial arrhythmia. This was followed by postdoctoral studies under the mentorship of Professor Michel Haïssaguerre at the Hôpital Cardiologique du Haut-Lévêque and Université Victor Segalen Bordeaux II in Bordeaux, France. This period allowed the translation of substrate studies into ablation strategies. Working with these inspirational mentors, undertaking highly clinical and translational studies have been a driving influence for his clinical research.
Dr. Sanders returned to Adelaide in 2005 and has established a formidable, diverse and multidisciplinary team of clinicians and researchers across the spectrum of research into heart rhythm disorders. His research program, founded in an understanding of the substrate for AF, has continued with evaluation of techniques to reverse and prevent the substrate for AF. The work from his group has led to a paradigm change in the approach to management of AF with the recognition of the importance of managing risk factors and comorbidities in individuals with AF. The team's unwavering dedication to scientific and clinical approaches has led to significant advancements in comprehending the causes of AF and developing effective treatment strategies.
His research has resulted in numerous publications and his achievements have been recognised with accolades, including the Clarivate High Cite Researcher Award 2023, and the Royal Australasian College of Physicians Eric Susman Prize for the best contribution to the knowledge of any branch of internal medicine in Australia. Dr. Sanders has held leadership roles in a variety of scientific organizations including serving on several committees of the Heart Rhythm Society. He is an Associate Editor at the European Heart Journal. Dr Sanders is grateful for the continuous support from the National Health and Medical Research Council of Australia.
Recognition for an individual who has made outstanding contributions to the Heart Rhythm Society.
Congratulations to Hugh Calkins, MD, FHRS, the 2024 Distinguished Service Awardee
Dr. Hugh Calkins is the Catherine Ellen Poindexter Professor of Cardiology and Professor of Medicine at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. He also is the Director of the Clinical Electrophysiology Laboratory, the Arrhythmia Service, and the Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Dysplasia Program at the Johns Hopkins Hospital.
Dr. Calkins graduated Magna Cum Laude with Highest Honors in Chemistry from Williams College. He then attended Harvard Medical School before training in Internal Medicine at the Massachusetts General Hospital. He received his cardiology fellowship training at Johns Hopkins. Dr Calkins trained in electrophysiology at Johns Hopkins and at the University of Michigan. His first faculty position was at the University of Michigan. He returned to Johns Hopkins as Director of the Clinical Electrophysiology Laboratory and Arrhythmia Service in 1992.
Dr. Calkins has published more than 700 manuscripts and more than 60 book chapters. He is recognized nationally and internationally for the role he has played in the development of radiofrequency catheter ablation for treatment of cardiac arrhythmias as well as for his research on sudden death and arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia. Dr. Calkins chaired the 2007, 2012, and 2017 Consensus Documents on AF Ablation.
Dr Calkins has been recognized for his clinical excellence by Best Doctors in America, America's Top Physicians, and Baltimore Magazine. Dr. Calkins serves on the editorial boards of many cardiac journals. He served as President of the Heart Rhythm Society from 2014-2015. Prior to this he chaired the Society's Scientific and Clinical Documents Committee, among others, and served on many HRS committees and task forces, including the Board of Trustees.
Recognition for an individual who has demonstrated outstanding skills as a teacher in the field of cardiac pacing and/or electrophysiology.
Congratulations to Kristen K. Patton, MD, FHRS, the 2024 Distinguished Teacher
Dr. Kristen Patton is a Professor of Medicine and an electrophysiologist at the University of Washington. Born in Portland, Oregon, Dr. Patton completed her Bachelor of Arts at the University of Chicago, followed by a MD degree from Oregon Health Sciences University. Her postgraduate training includes an Internal Medicine Residency and Electrophysiology Fellowship at Massachusetts General Hospital, and a Cardiology Fellowship at the combined Brigham and Women's/MGH program. During her cardiology fellowship, she dedicated two years to genetics research at Harvard's Seidman Lab. Her educational pursuits include the American College of Cardiology’s Emerging Faculty Program, the UW Teaching Scholars Certificate Program, and the Medical Education Research Certificate Program.
In addition to her work in electrophysiology, Dr. Patton's interests span medical education and curriculum development, particularly focusing on developing expertise through feedback and simulation in training. She has been integral to residency and fellowship program development and was Program Director of the Clinical Cardiac Electrophysiology Fellowship at the University of Washington. She served on the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) Internal Medicine Review Committee and was motivated by particular interest in the needs and resources of smaller training programs. Her involvement with the American Board of Internal Medicine Cardiovascular Committee reflects her commitment to clinical skill development over a medical career. A frequent speaker at national and international conferences, she has contributed to scientific session programming for the AHA and ACC. Her publications include curricula on teaching procedures, electrophysiological mapping simulation, and feedback for performance improvement. Notably, her "Prepare to Ask-Discuss-Ask-Plan Together" feedback framework was adopted by the ACGME for training of Program Directors. She frequently contributes to guideline and clinical practice documents, including competency curriculum statements, with the HRS, AHA, and ACC, with focus on evidence evaluation, synthesis, and communication.
Dr. Patton's expertise extends beyond curriculum development and mentorship to a commitment to the entire span of a doctor's career, from initial training to advanced practice. Her work in evidence synthesis and implementation sets a high standard for clinical care in cardiology, with the aim to foster a culture of continuous learning and improvement. Her holistic approach to education and training ensures that medical professionals are not only well-prepared at the outset of their careers but also equipped to evolve and excel throughout their professional journey. Dr. Patton's contributions across the spectrum of a medical career are intended to impact the quality of healthcare delivery and ultimately patient outcomes.
Recognition for an individual who has been active in cardiac pacing and/or cardiac electrophysiology for many years, and has made significant contributions to the field.
Congratulations to Bruce Larry Wilkoff, MD, FHRS, CCDS, the 2024 Pioneer in Cardiac Pacing and Electrophysiology
Dr. Bruce Wilkoff is Professor of Medicine and Director of the Cardiac Pacing & Tachyarrhythmia Devices, spending his entire (1986) professional career at the Cleveland Clinic. Authoring over 500 peer reviewed manuscripts, book chapters and five editions of the primary textbook on Cardiac Implantable Electronic Devices. He has been an active member of the international heart rhythm community (EHRA, APHRS), attended every NASPE/HRS meeting since 1985, member and chair of many committees and international consensus documents and past president of HRS (2011).
Considerations
- Any Heart Rhythm Society member in good standing may submit a nomination.
- Only Heart Rhythm Society members are eligible to be nominated for the Distinguished Allied, Distinguished Scientist, and the Distinguished Teacher Awards
- Both Heart Rhythm Society members and non-members are eligible to be nominated for the Distinguished Service Award and the Pioneer in Cardiac Pacing and Electrophysiology Award.
- The Distinguished Service Award recognizes outstanding service to the Society exclusively.
- Members of the Governance Committee and the Awards Subcommittee are ineligible to be nominated.
- Award nominations are active for three years; if you have submitted a nomination within the last three years, your nomination is on file and there is no need to resubmit.
How to Submit Nominations
Nominations are no longer being accepted for the 2024 award.
Requirements:
- Nominators cannot nominate more than two candidates for Recognition Awards or more than one candidate per category.
- Nomination letters must come from individuals only (not on behalf of a group or with multiple signatures).
- Up to two nomination letters are permitted per candidate, per award. Additional nomination letters will not be considered.
To nominate a candidate for a recognition award:
Please submit the following two items to the Awards Subcommittee via awards@HRSonline.org.
- A copy of the candidate’s CV
- A brief letter (2 pages maximum) indicating the name of the award for which you are nominating the individual and outlining the candidate's qualifications, to include the following for the specific awards below:
- Distinguished Allied Professional Award
- Unique contributions to the field
- Demonstrated leadership in HRS Allied program development
- Demonstrated contributions to HRS programs, task forces and/or committees
- Distinguished Scientist Award
- Unique contributions to science (clinical or basic)
- Impact on patients
- Impact on peers
- Research accomplishments
- Patents or innovations
- Distinguished Service Award
- Unique contributions to HRS (outside of Board and committee service)
- What exists at HRS because of their efforts
- Distinguished Teacher Award
- Unique teaching skills
- Those affected by their teaching (e.g., fellows, peers, the public)
- Pioneer in Cardiac Pacing and Electrophysiology Award
- Unique contributions to the field
- Innovation used
- Impact on patients
- Impact on peers
- Patents or innovations
Past Award Recipients
Click here.
Questions?
Please contact awards@HRSonline.org.
Heart Rhythm Society Statement of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
HRS stakeholders share a common passion for accomplishing our mission to end death and suffering from heart rhythm disorders.
We believe our diverse backgrounds, experiences and interests are assets in reaching that goal, and we are committed to providing an inclusive environment in all our activities, where everyone feels valued, respected, and welcome.
We strive to have organizational leaders who represent all aspects of our diversity and who promote the diversity, equity, and inclusion that are essential to our success.