ACC.26 Presidential Citation Honors Thad F. Waites, MD, MACC
Each year, the ACC President recognizes an individual who has made outstanding contributions to the field of cardiology and the broader field of medicine with the Presidential Citation. This year, Thad F. Waites, MD, MACC, will receive the honor, accepting the award during today’s Opening Showcase.
“Dr. Waites is a true ‘Master of the ACC,’ with a legacy of leadership that spans decades and has profoundly shaped the College and the cardiovascular profession,” says ACC President Christopher M. Kramer, MD, FACC.
Waites’ long history with the ACC includes serving as chair of the Board of Governors, member of the Board of Trustees, chair of the Health Affairs Committee and chair of the Governance Committee, among many others. Most recently, Waites founded the Thad and Gerry Waites Rural Cardiovascular Research Fellowship in honor of his wife Gerry.
In addition to his many contributions to the ACC, Waites has worked as a cardiologist with Hattiesburg Clinic Heart & Vascular, served on the Mississippi Board of Health through three governors, and helped establish the Mississippi Healthcare Alliance.
“Dr. Waites’ constant optimism, thoughtful mentorship and deep compassion have enriched the lives of countless patients, colleagues and trainees,” said Kramer. “It is truly an honor to recognize and celebrate his career with the Presidential Citation.”
Dr. Waites is a true ‘Master of the ACC,’ with a legacy of leadership that spans decades and has profoundly shaped the College and the cardiovascular profession.
Christopher M. Kramer, MD, FACC
Inaugural Thad and Gerry Waites Rural CV Research Fellow Named
The ACC has named Plicy Perez-Kersey, MD, as the first recipient of the Thad and Gerry Waites Rural Cardiovascular Research Fellowship Award. Perez-Kersey is an advanced cardiac imaging fellow at Seattle Children’s Hospital and an acting instructor in the Department of Pediatrics at the University of Washington.
“Throughout my training, I have developed a deep awareness of the barriers that prevent vulnerable populations from receiving optimal care – and an enduring commitment to addressing them so that circumstance no longer dictates cardiovascular outcomes,” Perez-Kersey said. “The Thad and Gerry Waites Rural Cardiovascular Research Fellowship is an extraordinary opportunity to advance this mission, and I am honored and excited to be selected as the inaugural fellow for this innovative program.”
Perez-Kersey will be honored today at 10 a.m., kicking off the opening of the Health Equity Hub.
Keywords: Cardiology Magazine, ACC Publications, ACC Annual Scientific Session, ACC26, Awards and Prizes
