HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – Christopher Adams, M.D., a cardiology fellow with the department of cardiology, Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine, recently received the James Willerson Clinical Award Competition for Residents and Fellows from the International Academy of Cardiovascular Sciences (IACS).  The award was established to promote, encourage and recognize young talents in cardiovascular science, medicine and surgery. 

The award is named in honor of James T. Willerson, M.D., president and medical director of the Texas Heart Institute in Houston and current president of IACS. 

Adams was recognized for his research, “Perivascular Fat Relation to Hypertension:  WV-Appalachian Heart Study,” which he has been conducting for several years with faculty members Paulette Wehner, M.D., a professor of cardiology and senior associate dean for graduate medical education, and Nalini Santanam, Ph.D., M.P.H., a professor in the department of pharmacology, physiology and toxicology. 

“Dr. Santanam and I are very fortunate to collaborate with Dr. Adams,” Wehner said.  “The award is particularly important because Dr. Adams started the Appalachian Heart project as a medical student and has continued the work through his sixth year of post-graduate training.” 

Wehner continued, “The work was partially funded through a translational research grant awarded by Marshall Health to promote research within our institution.  According to a recent Gallup Healthcare poll, the residents of the Huntington-Ashland Metropolitan area are twice as likely to suffer from a heart attack as the national average.  We are hopeful that our research may help identify why we are having such a higher incidence of heart attacks in our area.” 

Adams presented the findings at the Cardiovascular Forum for Promoting Centers of Excellence and Young Investigators meeting earlier this month in Louisville, Ky. He was one of five international applicants invited to participate. 

Adams is a graduate of the Marshall University Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine and completed a residency in Internal Medicine at Marshall as well.  His future plans include an interventional and structural heart disease fellowship next year at the University of Kentucky.

Date Posted: Friday, August 23, 2013