A Legacy of Heart Health for Women

The award will recognize the Best Scientific Publication on CVD and Stroke in Women to have run in an AHA publication that year. 

Coronary heart disease in women has long been one of Wenger’s major clinical and research interests. She chaired the US National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Conference on Cardiovascular Health and Disease in Women. “Dr. Wenger’s name is practically synonymous with women’s cardiovascular research and care—she has been a formidable leader in the field of women’s heart health and a strong ally and advocate for women in cardiology and medicine. This award recognizes her incredible legacy of paving the way, supporting and mentoring women as scientists and medical professionals, as well as her pioneering efforts in cardiovascular disease research about, for, and by women,” said American Heart Association President Mitchell Elkind. “The new Dr. Nanette K. Wenger Award will serve as an inspiration for continued innovation and discovery in research on cardiovascular disease and stroke in women.”

Wenger received her medical degree from Harvard in 1954 as one of the medical school’s first female graduates. She came to Emory after her residency and was named a full professor in 1971. She is a past president of the Society of Geriatric Cardiology and was editor-in-chief of the American Journal of Geriatric Cardiology. Wenger has authored or coauthored more than 1,600 scientific papers and chapters, and cowrote the medical text Women and Heart Disease. The inaugural award will be presented during the AHA’s Scientific Sessions 2021