Nanette Kass Wenger, MD, MACC | Lifetime Achievement Awardee
The depth and breadth of Dr. Wenger's six decades of clinical work, research, publications, organizational service and mentorship is simply astonishing, and make her worthy of this year's Lifetime Achievement Award.
An early pioneer, Dr. Wenger was one of the first women to graduate from Harvard Medical School in 1954 and the first woman chief resident at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York. She entered fellowship in cardiology at Emory University and Grady Memorial Hospital in 1958 and became the founding director of the cardiology clinics and ECG lab at Grady in 1960, a time of limited opportunity for women. She was later selected as one of the first female cardiology chiefs in the country.
The prevention of coronary heart disease in women has been one of Dr. Wenger's core academic and research focuses. She chaired the NHLBI Conference on Cardiovascular Health and Disease in Women in 1991. In addition, Dr. Wenger has been a longstanding leader in the field of cardiac rehabilitation, and one of the earliest proponents of active rehabilitation after myocardial infarction.
She chaired the World Health Organization Expert Committee on Rehabilitation after Cardiovascular Disease and co-chaired the Guideline Panel on Cardiac Rehabilitation for the US Agency for Health Care Policy and Research. Dr. Wenger also has a longstanding interest in geriatric cardiology and served as president of the Society of Geriatric Cardiology, as well as editor-in-chief of the American Journal of Geriatric Cardiology for over 15 years.
As a clinician scientist, Dr. Wenger has authored over 1,700 original papers, guidelines, textbooks, reviews, and book chapters. The Scopus database outlines her publishing impact with over 3,000 citations annually since 2013. Dr. Wenger has received over 40 major national and international awards for her work, including many of the highest honors and awards given by the ACC and AHA.
Dr. Wenger's service to the ACC is an incredible part of her legacy. She has always encouraged participation and leadership in the ACC, and herself chaired numerous committees. She has been involved in the planning and success of the ACC Annual Scientific Session and served as a Governor and ACC Trustee. She was a powerful force in the early development of international relations and continues that work today.
Many of us will never forget our first months of Fellowship at Emory and Grady Hospital, when Nanette rounded with us on the wards, taught us how to manage busy clinics, encouraged our research and guided publications. Among legendary faculty members, Dr. Wenger stood out as teacher, leader, and trainee champion. Brilliant, courageous, interesting, and interested, she molded her teams and inspired so many to do more than they ever thought possible.
Nanette Wenger's professional career has led to the advancement of knowledge and practice in multiple spheres. She has been a pioneer and champion of women's heart health, cardiovascular disease prevention, cardiac rehabilitation, and geriatric cardiology known for her meticulous approach to science and patient care, her articulate presentations, and leadership skills. She exudes passion, professionalism, and generosity. During her 60-year career she touched the lives of so many in meaningful ways. She has served as a beacon of health equity and a leader on addressing health-related disparities. She is an example and inspiration to all in the cardiovascular care community, and the definition of Lifetime Achievement.
This article was authored by C. Michael Valentine, MD, MACC, past president of the ACC.