February 16, 2010

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - Navin C. Nanda, M.D., professor in the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) Division of Cardiovascular Disease, director of the UAB Echocardiography Laboratories and senior scientist in the UAB Center for Aging, has received the International Service Award from the American College of Cardiology for his contributions to the significant advancement of cardiovascular medicine worldwide.

Nanda is internationally known for his pioneering work in echocardiography and for advancing the development of cardiology. He has been instrumental in introducing and popularizing many non-invasive innovations that he helped develop in several countries of the world. For example, Nanda introduced the technique of pulsed Doppler in mainland China for the first time in the early 1980s. He was rewarded for this by a letter from a Chinese ultrasound society that declared that "he had increased the friendship between China and USA."

Nanda also introduced the technique of color Doppler, which was first introduced in America by him at UAB, to countries such as India. More recently, he has taught the newer modality of 3-D echo, in which he has done pioneering work, to several cardiologists and echocardiographers of other nations.

"It is a distinct honor to be honored by the college, which we all hold in the highest esteem," Nanda said. "I feel most proud but at the same time very humbled on being selected for this very prestigious award."

The American College of Cardiology (ACC) is a 37,000-member nonprofit medical society and a leader in the formulation of health policy, standards and guidelines, and it is a staunch supporter of cardiovascular research. The ACC provides professional education and operates national registries for the measurement and improvement of quality care.

The International Service Award has been given by the college since 2002, not yearly but on an as-appropriate basis, to individuals who have demonstrated a commitment to medically developing or underdeveloped countries and through his/her benevolence have provided a specific service to enhance cardiovascular care and/or education in these countries.

In his letter to Nanda announcing the award, Alford A. Bove, M.D., president of the college said, "You have been selected for this award because you have been a true role model for others to follow in your footsteps. You have made great contributions to the college and to the international cardiovascular community."

Nanda has been at UAB since 1984. He has more than 1,000 scientific publications, has authored more than 10 books and video textbooks and has given more than 2,000 lectures and presentations. He also has been listed in Best Doctors in America since 1994. Nanda has been president of the Society of Geriatric Cardiology, editor-in-chief of Echocardiography: A Journal of Cardiovascular Ultrasound and Allied Techniques, and he is founding president of the American Association of Cardiologists of Indian Origin.

He also has served two terms on the board of directors of the Association of Black Cardiologists, the American College of Cardiology, the American Heart Association and as president and Distinguished Fellow of the International Society of Cardiovascular Ultrasound.

 
Nanda was the first recipient of the Tufts University Award in Echocardiography, and he received the Ellis Island Medal of Honor in 2006. He also has received The Bridge Award from the Association of Black Cardiologists, Citizen of Rome by the mayor of Rome, Italy, the Andreas R. Gruntzig Award by the Swiss Society of Cardiology, the Prince of Echocardiography of the Heart and Blood Vessels award by the Italian Society of Echocardiography and the Echocardiographer of the Millennium award from the Argentinean Society of Cardiology. He also has been honored by the United Arab Emirates and the Emirates Society of Cardiology for pioneering lifetime contributions to the advancement of cardiology.

Nanda is a graduate of Bombay University and received his training in cardiology at National Heart Hospital in London and at the University of Rochester in Rochester, N.Y.

About the UAB Division of Cardiovascular Disease

The UAB Division of Cardiovascular Disease emphasizes excellence in patient care, teaching and basic and clinical research. Clinical research is associated closely with individual clinical cardiology services and encompasses a variety of opportunities and interactions with faculty associated with numerous large federal and industry-supported clinical trials.