Teja Devarakonda and Chad Cain, early career investigators at VCU
Richmond, VA – (December 4, 2017) – On November 30, 2017, American Heart Association (AHA) donors had a unique opportunity to talk one-on-one with cardiovascular researchers at VCU’s Pauley Heart Center about their projects and how their discoveries are providing better insights into the treatment and prevention of cardiovascular diseases.
The VCU Health Pauley Heart Center has a long history of partnership with the AHA, starting with funding for research into reinnervation of the cardiac transplant patient by Dr. Richard Lower in 1972. Dr. Lower completed the first heart transplant in Virginia and the 7th in the United States. Since that time, The American Heart Association has funded more than 138 studies at VCU and is currently funding $7 million in specific innovative research.
Deborah Davis, CEO of VCU Health System Hospitals and Clinics and AHA Metro Richmond Board Chair
As the largest source of funding for cardiovascular disease and stroke research next to the federal government, AHA helps early career investigators, like VCU’s Teja Devarakonda, launch their careers and focus their fields of study. Devarakonda, a student in the MD-PhD program, feels that his clinical and research training will afford him a better understanding of how to treat patients, not just with conventional therapies, but with the latest science.
2018 Heart Ball Chair Larry Little, VP of Support Services and Planning at VCU and Mitch Haddon, President of Colonial Webb Contractors and Chair Elect of AHA Metro Richmond Board
Deborah Davis, CEO of VCU Health System Hospitals and Clinics and AHA Metro Richmond Board Chair, told attendees at the research reception, “We hope to see many more years of partnership with the AHA as we look to improve the heart health of our Richmond Community.”
The event concluded with introducing Larry Little, Vice President of Support Services and Planning at VCU, as the Chair of the 2018 Richmond Heart Ball and the announcement of the gala’s theme, “The British Are Coming.” The Heart Ball is the region’s premier fundraising event celebrating the AHA’s mission, donors, volunteers and progress made toward treating and preventing heart diseases and stroke. To learn more about the Richmond Heart Ball on April 21, 2018 and sponsorship opportunities, visit richmondvaheartball.heart.org or contact Sommer Goldsmith at (804) 965-6534.
Our mission is to be a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives. For nearly 100 years, we’ve been fighting heart disease and stroke, striving to save and improve lives. Heart disease is the No. 1 killer worldwide, and stroke ranks second globally. Even when those conditions don’t result in death, they cause disability and diminish quality of life. We want to see a world free of cardiovascular diseases and stroke.