Barry D. Rutherford, MD, a world renowned interventional cardiologist, was presented the TCT 2012 Geoffrey O. Hartzler Master Clinical Operator Award in a ceremony held today during the 24th annual Transcatheter Cardiovascular Therapeutics (TCT) scientific symposium, sponsored by the Cardiovascular Research Foundation (CRF). The award is given each year to a physician who has advanced the field of interventional cardiovascular medicine through technical excellence and innovation.
An early mentor of Dr. Hartzler at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, and later a colleague of his at the Saint Luke's Mid America Heart Institute in Kansas City, Missouri, Dr. Rutherford is known for his expertise in the development of techniques for direct balloon angioplasty in acute myocardial infarction and multi-vessel angioplasty. Among his current research interests are the development of new procedures for the treatment of chronic total occlusions in coronary arteries and for the management of acute myocardial infarction.
Dr. Rutherford has also devoted much of his career to physician training and education, teaching countless numbers of physicians over the years. In addition to serving as the principal investigator of a number of clinical trials, Dr. Rutherford has authored more than 200 abstracts and publications in peer reviewed journals and has delivered more than 230 invited lectures around the world.
TCT Directors, Gregg W. Stone, MD and Martin B. Leon, MD jointly presented the award, which recognizes technical skill and expertise. Dr. Leon is the Founder of CRF and Professor of Medicine at Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons and Director of the Center for Interventional Vascular Therapy at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Columbia University Medical Center. Dr. Stone is Professor of Medicine at Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons and Director of Cardiovascular Research and Education at the Center for Interventional Vascular Therapy at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Columbia University Medical Center. Both serve as Co-Directors of the Medical Research and Education Division at CRF, and direct the annual TCT scientific sessions.
"Dr. Rutherford is highly deserving of the TCT 2012 Geoffrey O. Hartzler Master Clinical Operator Award," said Dr. Stone. "His long-standing commitment to primary PCI and multivessel intervention, and technical expertise in CTO angioplasty have helped to expand the field of interventional cardiovascular medicine and provided physicians with new, more effective ways to treat patients."
"Dr. Rutherford continues to develop innovative techniques and devices for patients with cardiovascular disease, in addition to serving as mentor and teacher to the next generation of interventional cardiologists," Dr. Leon added.
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