Valentin Fuster, MD, PhD, Director of Mount Sinai Heart and Physician-in-Chief of The Mount Sinai Hospital, was honored by the Government of Spain with the highest health distinction awarded in Spain. The award, "The Cross of the Civil Order of Health," was proposed by the Ministry of Health, Social Services and Equality, approved by the Council of Ministries, and presented at a formal ceremony, chaired by the Vice President of Government, at Spain's Ministry of Health on December 10, 2015.
Dr. Fuster, who was born in Spain, is one of the world's leading cardiologists, well known for his work in the area of biomedical research and prevention and in addressing cardiovascular disease. He has devoted his professional life to cardiology, to develop and achieve advances in the treatment and rehabilitation of conditions such as those affecting the coronary artery (including atherosclerosis and thrombosis), as well as promoting the importance of healthy lifestyle habits for prevention and overall health.
Dr. Fuster has been awarded an honorary doctorate by 33 universities. Among his many achievements, it is noteworthy that Dr. Fuster has received the highest awards for research from the four leading cardiovascular organizations: the American Heart Association, the American College of Cardiology, the European Society of Cardiology and the Interamerican Society of Cardiology. He is Director of Mount Sinai Heart, ranked No. 7 in the nation by U.S. News & World Report in its 2015 "Best Hospitals" issue. In addition, Dr. Fuster has published more than 900 scientific articles and has served as chair of the American Heart Association, the World Heart Federation and the Training Program of the American College of Cardiology. Dr. Fuster is also Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of the American College of Cardiology (JACC), the world's leading peer-reviewed journal on cardiovascular disease.
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