Press Release 02.23.16

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

TSF Awards $701,750 in New Grants to Support Cardiothoracic Surgery Research to Improve Patient Care

Awards aim to help expand the specialty’s knowledge about cardiothoracic surgical treatment options, develop the skills of cardiothoracic surgeons, enhance the care of patients, and treat and educate underserved populations

CHICAGO, IL (February 23, 2016) – The Thoracic Surgery Foundation (TSF) announced 15 new cardiothoracic surgery research grants to support the research and education programs of cardiothoracic surgeons.

“The TSF is pleased to fund the work of 15 surgeons in 2016. A committee of 22 cardiothoracic surgery research leaders in the field, including representatives from the nation’s best academic institutions, selected the most worthy projects,” said TSF President, John H. Calhoon, MD. “Each application was thoroughly analyzed. It was a tough decision, but 15 proposals rose to the top. We know the award recipients’ contributions to the field and to our patients will be significant.”

Dr. Calhoon is Professor and Chair of Cardiothoracic Surgery at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio and has been on the faculty for over two decades. In 2014, he became TSF President.

The TSF Board of Directors voted unanimously and enthusiastically to support the following projects:

Stephen H. McKellar, MD, University of Utah
“Metabolic Flux Analysis and Right Ventricular Remodeling”
TSF Research Grant, $80,000

Matthew J. Bott, MD, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
“Genomic Correlates of Histopathologic Classification in Lung Adenocarcinoma”
TSF Research Grant, $80,000

Rajeev Dhupar, MD, University of Pittsburgh
“Modulating Autophagy in the Neoadjuvant Treatment of Patients with Esophageal Adenocarcinoma”
STS Research Grant, $80,000

Mathew Thomas, MD, Mayo Clinic
“A Pilot Study to Evaluate the Use of Vacuum-assisted Dressings in the Management of Chronic Open Chest Wounds”
Acelity Wound Care Research Grant, $25,000

Jennifer L. Philip, MD, Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin
“Regulation of Cardiac Fibroblast-Mediated Ventricular Remodeling by Beta-Arrestin1”
Nina Starr Braunwald Research Fellowship, $60,000

Kimberly A. Holst, MD, Mayo Clinic
“Optimal Cell Therapy Delivery for Pediatric Right Ventricular Failure: Umbilical Cord Blood-derived Mononuclear Cells in Pigs”
Nina Starr Braunwald Research Fellowship, $30,000

Bradley G. Leshnower, MD, Emory University School of Medicine
“The Search for the Optimal Cerebral Protection Strategy During Aortic Arch Replacement: A Pilot Study”
STSA Research Grant, $25,000

Ankit Bharat, MD, Northwestern University
“High Carbon Dioxide Impairs Lung Repair”
TSF/National Institute of Health Matching K Award, $150,000

Ralph Morton Bolman, III, MD, University of Vermont
“Increasing Access to Reduce the Burden of Rheumatic Heart Disease in Rwanda –Year II”
Edwards Lifesciences Foundation Every Heartbeat Matters Grant, $35,000

Emily A. Farkas, MD, CardioStart International
“Developing a Not-For-Profit Cardiac Surgical Program at Kathmandu University, Dhulikhel”
Edwards Lifesciences Foundation Every Heartbeat Matters Grant, $31,000

Mark E. Galantowicz, MD, Nationwide Children’s Hospital
“Education and Training of Underserved Cardiac Surgeons, Cardiologists, and Intensivists on the Surgical Management of Patients with Congenital Heart Disease (CHD); with an Emphasis on Treating Underserved CHD patients with Valvular Conditions, e.g., Assessing Valve repair, Replacement, or Catheter-Based Interventions in CHD Patients of All Ages”
Edwards Lifesciences Foundation Every Heartbeat Matters Grant, $31,000

Frederick L. Grover, MD, University of Colorado
“Enhancing Access to Care and Treatment of Cardiovascular Disease in Nepal”
Edwards Lifesciences Foundation Every Heartbeat Matters Grant, $35,000

V. Mohan Reddy, MD, University of California San Francisco
“Building Capacity for Pediatric Heart Valve Disease in South East Asia”
Edwards Lifesciences Foundation Every Heartbeat Matters Grant, $18,000

Daniela Molena, MD, Memorial Sloan Kettering
“Learn Endoscopic Assessment Tools, Ablation, Resection of Early Stage Tumors, Submucosal Dissection and Peroral Endoscopy Myotomy (POEM) Skills at the Oregon Clinic”
Carolyn E. Reed Traveling Fellowship Grant, $10,000

Elizabeth A. David, MD, UC Davis Medical Center
“Mixed-methods experimental design and data analysis at the University of Wisconsin”
Carolyn E. Reed Traveling Fellowship, $6,750

TSF is a pivotal force for growth and vitality in cardiothoracic surgery, especially for research and academic career development. TSF was first established in 1988 as a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit charitable organization and is the charitable arm of The Society of Thoracic Surgeons. The Foundation represents thoracic surgery in the United States and its research and educational initiatives support the broad spectrum of thoracic surgery. The mission of TSF is to foster the development of surgeon scientists in cardiothoracic surgery; increasing knowledge and innovation to benefit patient care.

Contact: Priscilla S. Kennedy, TSF Executive Director
pkennedy@sts.org
312-202-5868
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