Willerson Honored as Outstanding Cardiologist

James T. Willerson, M.D., president of The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston and president-elect of the Texas Heart Institute at St. Luke’s Episcopal Hospital, has been honored as the Outstanding Cardiologist 2006 at the Shanghai International Symposium of Cardiology 2006. The award was announced Nov. 17.

James T. Willerson, M.D.

Earlier this year, Willerson was recognized as an International Honorary Member of the Japanese Circulation Society at the society’s 70th annual meeting. He was among the first seven physicians outside of Japan to be inducted, and one of only two Americans who received the honor. He also was recognized as one of 10 “Living Legends” by the 16th World Congress of the World Society of Cardio- Thoracic Surgeons in honor of his major contributions to humanity through invention or discovery and service as a mentor to other scientists.

Dr. Willerson received the first Houston Medical Legends Award Nov. 10 at the 2006 Wellsprings Gala. Wellsprings is a non-profit organization that provides long-term services for abused and homeless women.

At the Texas Heart Institute, Willerson and Emerson Perin, M.D., Ph.D., are leading one of the first FDA-approved trials using bone marrow-derived stem cells to treat heart disease.