In recognition of exemplary efforts and steadfast service, McGowan Institute for Regenerative Medicine affiliated faculty member Robert Kormos, MD, was presented with The Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) 2020 Distinguished Service Award at the Society’s 56th Annual Meeting.
An STS member since 1989, Dr. Kormos most recently served as chair of the STS Intermacs Database Task Force and as a member of the Society’s Workforce on National Databases. He previously chaired the STS Workforce on Clinical Education, the Workforce on Surgical Treatment of End-Stage Cardiopulmonary Disease, and the Committee on Circulatory Support and Thoracic Transplantation. In addition, he previously was a member of the Workforce on New Technology and the Workforce on Adult Cardiac and Vascular Surgery.
Internationally recognized for his clinical and research work in mechanical circulatory support, Dr. Kormos specializes in organ transplantation and end-stage heart disease. With this expertise, he played a critical role in integrating the Interagency Registry for Mechanically Assisted Circulatory Support (Intermacs) into the portfolio of STS National Database programs.
Throughout his more than 40-year career in cardiothoracic surgery, Dr. Kormos has provided considerable professional and scientific service. In addition to being a member of 18 professional societies, he has authored more than 340 articles, 330 proceedings papers, 40 book chapters, and a textbook, as well as presented approximately 400 regional, national, and international invited lectures. Dr. Kormos also has been an integral part of educating numerous residents and fellows.
After receiving his undergraduate degree in psychology from the University of Western Ontario, Dr. Kormos remained there to study medicine. He completed residencies in general and cardiothoracic surgery at the University of Toronto, as well as research and transplant surgery fellowships at the University of Pittsburgh. Dr. Kormos currently is the division vice president of global medical affairs, heart failure, at Abbott Laboratories in Austin, Texas, and professor emeritus of cardiothoracic surgery at the University of Pittsburgh, where he previously was deputy director of the McGowan Institute for Regenerative Medicine and the Brack G. Hattler Chair of Cardiothoracic Transplantation.
“Dr. Kormos is a renowned cardiothoracic surgeon with an exceptional record of patient care, delivering superior outcomes and successfully translating mechanical circulatory technologies into clinical and commercial applications,” said 2019-2020 STS President Robert S.D. Higgins, MD, MSHA. “He has magnificently demonstrated expertise in building teams and collaborating with clinicians and industry to develop innovations. Few of our volunteer surgeon members have given so much of their time, energy, sweat, and tears to support the STS mission.”
Congratulations, Dr. Kormos!
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