Vascular Disease Foundation - Fighting Vascular Disease... Improving Vascular Health.

President's Awards

The President’s Awards are to recognize those individuals who have made a difference in the lives of those living with vascular disease or have assisted the Foundation in accomplishing its mission in various categories. These awards are to show our appreciation for the extraordinary measures individuals have taken to support the Foundation’s efforts to increase awareness of vascular disease and enhance the lives of those living with vascular disease.

 

 


There are four President’s award categories:

Download a nomination form...

2011 Award Recipients:

President’s Award for Inspiration


Beth Murray, MS, NP
Brookhaven Memorial Hospital

Beth Murray, MS, NP is the HeartCaring/Cardiac Outreach Coordinator at Brookhaven Memorial Hospital Medical Center in Patchogue, NY. She is considered much more than just her title in the eyes of the patients she interacts with every day. To them, Beth is a lifeline of hope and inspiration. She spends time with them, listens to their story, looks them in the eye and helps them understand how to manage their vascular health issues.

Beth inspired her patients even during a difficult year when she battled her own cancer treatment, but she also managed to complete her Nurse Practitioner program while caring for her own family. In her professional capacity as HeartCaring coordinator, Beth has found creative ways to incorporate vascular messages into everything she does.

Beth developed a multi-disciplinary, free educational support group called “Vascular Victories.” The group is open to patents and families with any disorder that affects the blood vessels, arteries or veins and encompasses cerebrovascular, cardiovascular, clotting disorders, and peripheral vascular diseases. The approach is unique because patients are not divided up by disease (stroke, heart attack, surgery, PAD, etc). Patients are welcomed and benefit from learning of the treatment plans and recommendations for the other health issues.

Her passion for providing opportunities for more patients to access vital information and screenings goes beyond awareness; Beth helps her patients take action for their health.


President’s Award for Leadership


Anton Sidawy, MD, MPH
George Washington University Medical Center

Dr. Sidawy has been a member of VDF’s Board of Directors since June of 2003 having served on the communications committee to ensure that VDF’s medical messages are educational and science based. From 2006-2010 Dr. Sidawy served as President Elect and President of VDF.

Dr. Sidawy is from Veterans Affair Medical Center in Washington, D.C., and professor of surgery at both Georgetown University and George Washington University School of Medicine in Washington, D.C. He is a Past President of the Society of Vascular Surgery and past Editor in Chief of the Journal of Vascular Surgery.

Dr. Sidawy has led VDF through challenging times and has always stayed focused on the mission and goals of VDF. Tony put his heart into leading VDF to the next level and spent numerous hours on the new leadership transition plan. His commitment and dedication to VDF is to be commended. Dr. Sidawy continues to lead efforts to increase awareness of vascular disease and we were very fortunate to have him serve as our President.

President’s Award for Partnership

American Association of CardioVascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation (AACVPR)

 

For over a year the American Association of CardioVascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation (AACVPR) has
partnered with VDF to create, review and promote the PAD Exercise Toolkit. AACVPR supported the concept from the beginning and provided volunteers to serve on the review committee. At the 2010 AACVPR Annual Meeting, a pre-session workshop was held using the toolkit as a basis for the workshop and the requirements to set up a PAD exercise program. AACVPR cross-promoted the program to their members and provided a Web link for members to sign up. Over 1,000 professionals have used the program over the past year. This collaborative effort is a shining example of an effective partnership.

President’s Award for Vision


Manish Mehta, MD, MPH
The Center for Vascular Awareness, Albany, NY

There are many physicians, scientists, and nurses who are committed to educating the public on vascular health. One such individual that stands out in his community is Dr. Manish Mehta.

Dr. Mehta is a vascular surgeon and endovascular specialist who has a unique ability to not only teach his patients and their families about their health, but show them genuine compassion.

Dr. Mehta has taken his commitment for vascular disease to the next level. He was one of the driving forces to establish the Center for Vascular Awareness in 2004. This organization formed to educate and support the advancement of vascular awareness. It holds quarterly meetings for health care providers and others in the community called the Vascular Roundtable. Due to Dr. Mehta’s charisma, these meetings have an audience of 200-300 healthcare providers with a panel of speakers that are accomplished in their field. These speakers take part in a lively discussion about vascular disease during the evening. Dr. Mehta’s enthusiasm is infectious and the audience walks away from these meetings with great interest, knowledge, and inspiration. The Roundtable is accompanied by a journal called V-Aware.

His vision for encouraging his peers and fellow health care professionals to go out in the community to teach people about vascular disease and in organizing outreach programs and workshops for other physicians to learn vascular procedures is truly commendable.

Nomination Criteria

The nomination criteria for these awards consist of completing a nomination form, which requires a description of 450 words or less of why someone should be considered for a particular award. The nomination committee may select an award different from the one selected.

Download a nomination form...

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