Valentin Fuster, MD, PhD, Given Prestigious Honor of Presenting the Inaugural World Heart Federation Oration Lecture
President of Mount Sinai Fuster Heart Hospital will address alleviating heart disease risk globally, starting in childhood
The World Heart Federation (WHF) has selected Valentin Fuster, MD, PhD, President of Mount Fuster Heart Hospital, to spearhead its inaugural Annual WHF Oration as a scientific highlight during the European Society of Cardiology Congress and WHF World Congress of Cardiology in Madrid.
This distinguished lecture, taking place Saturday, August 30, honors individuals such as Dr. Fuster whose contributions have significantly shaped global cardiovascular health and exemplify excellence in clinical practice, research, education, and leadership. Dr. Fuster’s discussion will focus on promoting cardiovascular health on a global scale starting at a young age through early detection and education.
“About 80 percent of fatal and non-fatal cardiovascular disease occurs in low- and middle-income countries, so we must think globally about health and education. I am most appreciative of this honor by the World Heart Federation,” says Dr. Fuster, who also serves as Physician-in-Chief of The Mount Sinai Hospital and General Director of Spain’s Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares.
“We are honored to have Dr. Fuster deliver our Inaugural Oration. His unparalleled commitment to advancing cardiovascular science and his lifelong advocacy for global heart health make him an inspiring figure to launch this tradition. With the European Society of Cardiology Congress and World Congress of Cardiology taking place in his home country of Spain, the timing and symbolism are particularly meaningful,” says Jagat Narula, MD, PhD, FESC, President of the World Heart Federation.
“WHF leaders envision this oration becoming the most prestigious fixture of future annual World Congresses of Cardiology. Dr. Fuster is a pre-eminent leader in cardiovascular medicine. His contributions to the field, and to prevention and treatment of heart disease globally, are mammoth, and will set a high standard of thought leadership and innovation for years to come and a high bar for the future honorees,” said Dr. Narula.
Dr. Fuster was named Director of the Cardiovascular Institute at Mount Sinai in 1994, became Director of Mount Sinai Heart at its establishment in 2006, and held that position until the end of 2022. He built what is now known as Mount Sinai Fuster Heart Hospital into one of the world’s leading centers for cardiovascular care, cardiac surgery, and advanced research.
Dr. Fuster also helped develop a cardiovascular “polypill”—a single pill that includes three medications typically taken separately—that is effective in preventing secondary adverse cardiovascular events in people who have previously had a heart attack. Dr. Fuster and his team showed that the polypill reduces cardiovascular mortality by 33 percent in this population. This medication was recently included by the World Health Organization in its List of Essential Medicines and is pending Food and Drug Administration approval in the United States.
His research into the origin of cardiovascular events, which has contributed to improved treatment of heart attack patients, was recognized in 1996 by the Prince of Asturias Award for Technical and Scientific Research, the highest international award given by Dr. Fuster’s native Spain. In June 2011 he was awarded the Grand Prix Scientifique of the Institute of France for his translational research into atherothrombotic disease. Recently, he was named a Prince Mahidol Award Laureate in Thailand for his lifelong contribution to the field of medicine, and in 2022, the American College of Cardiology instituted the “Valentin Fuster Award in Science and Innovation,” which will be given to one physician annually for the next 14 years.
Dr. Fuster has also received the highest awards for research from the four leading cardiovascular organizations: the American Heart Association (Gold Medal and Research Achievement Award), the American College of Cardiology (Living Legend and Life Achievement Award), the European Society of Cardiology (Gold Medal), and the Interamerican Society of Cardiology (Research Achievement Award). In May 2014, King Juan Carlos I of Spain granted Dr. Fuster the title of Marquis for his "outstanding and unceasing research efforts and his educational outreach work."
Dr. Fuster is also the recipient of WHF’s Lifetime Achievement Award, which recognizes his remarkable contributions to the mission of WHF and to the entire cardiovascular community for his dedication to combating this global scourge.
Mount Sinai Is a World Leader in Cardiology and Heart Surgery
Mount Sinai Fuster Heart Hospital at The Mount Sinai Hospital ranks No. 2 nationally for cardiology, heart, and vascular surgery, according to U.S. News & World Report®. It also ranks No. 1 in New York and No. 6 globally according to Newsweek’s “The World’s Best Specialized Hospitals.”
It is part of Mount Sinai Health System, which is New York City's largest academic medical system, encompassing seven hospitals, a leading medical school, and a vast network of ambulatory practices throughout the greater New York region. We advance medicine and health through unrivaled education and translational research and discovery to deliver care that is the safest, highest-quality, most accessible and equitable, and the best value of any health system in the nation. The Health System includes approximately 9,000 primary and specialty care physicians; 10 free-standing joint-venture centers throughout the five boroughs of New York City, Westchester, Long Island, and Florida; and 48 multidisciplinary research, educational, and clinical institutes. Hospitals within the Health System are consistently ranked by Newsweek’s® “The World’s Best Smart Hospitals” and by U.S. News & World Report's® “Best Hospitals” and “Best Children’s Hospitals.” The Mount Sinai Hospital is on the U.S. News & World Report's® “Best Hospitals” Honor Roll for 2025-2026.
For more information, visit https://www.mountsinai.org or find Mount Sinai on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, X, and YouTube.
About the Mount Sinai Health System
Mount Sinai Health System is one of the largest academic medical systems in the New York metro area, with 48,000 employees working across seven hospitals, more than 400 outpatient practices, more than 600 research and clinical labs, a school of nursing, and a leading school of medicine and graduate education. Mount Sinai advances health for all people, everywhere, by taking on the most complex health care challenges of our time—discovering and applying new scientific learning and knowledge; developing safer, more effective treatments; educating the next generation of medical leaders and innovators; and supporting local communities by delivering high-quality care to all who need it.
Through the integration of its hospitals, labs, and schools, Mount Sinai offers comprehensive health care solutions from birth through geriatrics, leveraging innovative approaches such as artificial intelligence and informatics while keeping patients’ medical and emotional needs at the center of all treatment. The Health System includes approximately 9,000 primary and specialty care physicians and 10 free-standing joint-venture centers throughout the five boroughs of New York City, Westchester, Long Island, and Florida. Hospitals within the System are consistently ranked by Newsweek’s® “The World’s Best Smart Hospitals, Best in State Hospitals, World Best Hospitals and Best Specialty Hospitals” and by U.S. News & World Report's® “Best Hospitals” and “Best Children’s Hospitals.” The Mount Sinai Hospital is on the U.S. News & World Report® “Best Hospitals” Honor Roll for 2025-2026.
For more information, visit https://www.mountsinai.org or find Mount Sinai on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, X, and YouTube.