Willerson Inducted into Japanese Circulation Society,
Honored Internationally
HOUSTON—(March 23, 2006)—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 an International Honorary Member of the Japanese Circulation Society at the society’s 70th annual meeting in Kyoto. He is among the first seven physicians outside of Japan to be inducted, and one of only two Americans to receive the honor.
The International Honorary Membership recognizes Willerson’s long record of work on cardiovascular disease, his many contributions to medicine and science, and his collegial friendship.
Established in 1935, the Japanese Circulation Society promotes basic and clinical research activities and education in the scientific field of the circulatory organ system. The society holds regional and international scientific meetings, publishes the Japanese Circulation Journal, encourages and supports research, rewards achievements, and cooperates with associations in related fields in Japan and abroad.
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.
Last April, the American Heart Association (AHA) presented Willerson with the “Gold Heart Award,” its highest honor for volunteers who have provided continued, distinguished service. For 11 years, Willerson was editor-in-chief of Circulation, the AHA’s largest scientific journal.
Willerson received the Career Achievement Award of the Transcatheter Cardiovascular Therapeutic Scientific Symposium in Oct. 2005, which honored his history of outstanding work as an internationally distinguished cardiologist, research scientist and educator.
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