HUNTINGTON, W.VA. - Paulette S. Wehner, M.D., FAHA, senior associate dean for graduate medical education and a professor in the department of cardiovascular service in the Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine, was named a fellow of the American Heart Association at its September meeting in New Orleans.

The fellowship distinction is conferred for outstanding and sustained scientific contributions in cardiovascular diseases and stroke; and volunteer leadership and service to the American Heart Association.

Wehner, a Kingwood, W.Va., native, is a graduate of the University of Notre Dame and earned her medical degree at Marshall, where she also did her residency and fellowship training.

In congratulating Wehner, Joseph I. Shapiro, dean of the School of Medicine, said her contributions to the School of Medicine and the health care of the community are exceptional.

“Dr. Wehner is first and foremost an outstanding clinician,” he said. “She cares deeply about her patients and works expertly to give them high quality cardiovascular care. Secondly, she is a dedicated and gifted professor preparing our students, residents and cardiology fellows for their careers in medicine.”

Wehner, an active researcher involved in several projects, is the principal site investigator at St. Mary’s Medical Center for Yale University’s research study of older persons who are admitted to the hospital with heart attacks.

She also is one of two West Virginia physicians honored in the Local Legends project of the National Library of Medicine in 2005. A member of the Marshall faculty since 1995, she has repeatedly been honored by medical students through awards such as “Outstanding Attending of the Year” and “Outstanding Program Director.”

She is a member of the medical honorary society Alpha Omega Alpha, as well as a fellow of the American College of Cardiology, which she is currently serving as governor in West Virginia. She also is a fellow in the American College of Physicians and the American College of Chest Physicians. Wehner is currently the president of the School of Medicine’s Alumni Association.

Date Posted: Monday, September 23, 2013