Cardiology Consortium 2012: A toast to “The Miracle College”
Pictured above are Julie Baxter, Paul Dresser and Merrill Plaisted making introductions during the reception of this past year’s Cardiology Consortium at The Commonwealth Club in Richmond.
Dr. Sheldon Retchin (left), catches up with Dr. Hermes Kontos and Stan Pauley prior to the Consortium dinner.
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Event photos this page: VCU Creative Services
Chronicle of Giving Winter 2013
The 2012 Cardiology Consortium welcomed a record group of 91 guests. The opportunity to bring together people who deeply care about cardiovascular disease is one that is greatly appreciated by those who work with the VCU Pauley Heart Center. MCV alumnus Dr. Jeff Marshall returned to Richmond from Gainesville, Georgia to provide the evening’s key note address. A highly respected cardiologist operating 16 clinics and recently opening a cardiac care hospital in Georgia, Dr. Marshall credits much of his success to the training he received at MCV. Dr. Marshall affectionately refers to MCV as the “Miracle College of Virginia” because of the advances in cardiac care that were born at the institution. “We witnessed miracles on a regular basis,” said Marshall who also applauded MCV faculty for teaching residents and fellows not only the science but also the art of medicine. The evening continued with the recognition of two retiring faculty members. Dr. David Richardson and Dr. Michael Hess were celebrated for their service to the institution as clinicians, researchers, and teachers. Dr. Richardson’s career spanned nearly 57 years and his impact on his colleagues and the institution is widely felt. Dr. Hess was recognized in a heartfelt poem written by the wife of a former patient who praised the care he provided to her late husband for 32 years. This year’s consortium also provided an opportunity to highlight recent accomplishments and showcase active research endeavors. Dr. George Vetrovec’s work to explore new treatments in his catheterization lab was praised as well as Dr. Ian Nixon’s recent honor in receiving the American Heart Association Award of Meritorious Achievement. Dr. Ken Ellenbogen, Cardiology Division Chair, also reminded the crowd of MCV’s leadership in the field of heart transplantation. Dr. Ellenbogen reflected on these achievements and reminded the group that their work is not done, saying, “Heart disease causes more deaths than cancer, AIDS and infections, combined.” Heart disease continues to demand medical resources and attention both in clinical care but also in the development of research breakthroughs that can improve that care. At the conclusion of the evening, Dr. Ellenbogen thanked the guests for their support of the VCU Pauley Heart Center. Each guest received a Pauley Heart Center lapel pin to help raise awareness of the amazing research and care provided on the MCV Campus.