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Cincinnati Children's Heart Institute Receives Two International Science Awards

Monday, February 01, 2010

The Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center Heart Institute has received the lion's share of international scientific awards from the International Society for Heart Research. The ISHR this month recognized the research achievements of Jeffrey Robbins, Ph.D., and Jeffery Molkentin, Ph.D.

Dr. Robbins, co-executive director of the Heart Institute and chair of the division of Molecular Cardiovascular Biology, was awarded the 2010 Research Achievement Award. This award recognizes a prominent scientist who has a distinguished track record of innovative scientific contributions that have had a major impact on the understanding and treatment of cardiovascular disease. The award is given to scientists whose work is likely to continue to make major future contributions.

Dr. Robbins was the first scientist to define the critical components needed to drive high levels of gene expression in the heart. In addition, he has designed the tools necessary to conduct important studies that will provide new insights into heart disease affecting children and adults.

Dr. Molkentin, Howard Hughes Medical Institute Investigator, was awarded the 2010 Outstanding Investigator Award. This award recognizes scientists who make major contributions to the advancement of cardiovascular science and lead a growing research program likely to play a major role in the future.

Dr. Molkentin’s research has advanced the understanding of molecular events behind heart disease and muscular dystrophy. His team studies the signaling mechanisms that control cell growth, differentiation and death.

About Cincinnati Children’s

Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center is one of 10 children’s hospitals in the United States to make the Honor Roll in U.S. News and World Reports 2009-10 America’s Best Children’s Hospitals issue. It is #1 ranked for digestive disorders and is also highly ranked for its expertise in respiratory diseases, cancer, neonatal care, heart care, neurosurgery, diabetes, orthopedics, kidney disorders and urology. One of the three largest children’s hospitals in the U.S., Cincinnati Children’s is affiliated with the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine and is one of the top two recipients of pediatric research grants from the National Institutes of Health.

President Barack Obama in June 2009 cited Cincinnati Children’s as an “island of excellence” in health care. For its achievements in transforming health care, Cincinnati Children’s is one of six U.S. hospitals since 2002 to be awarded the American Hospital Association-McKesson Quest for Quality Prize for leadership and innovation in quality, safety and commitment to patient care. The hospital is a national and international referral center for complex cases. Additional information can be found at www.cincinnatichildrens.org.