Research Highlighted at Heart Ball Reception

In anticipation of the upcoming 26th Annual Richmond Heart Ball, VCU Health hosted a reception that raised awareness of the critical research made possible by the American Heart Association and Pauley. Over 60 guests attended the event, which took place at the McGlothlin Medical Education Center in November.

“Pauley has a long history of partnership with the AHA,” said Dr. Kenneth Ellenbogen, one of the evening’s speakers. He noted that AHA’s first grant to VCU Health was awarded in 1972 to Dr. Richard Lower, to study how to more successfully reanimate the heart during a transplant. “Since that study, 138 Pauley researchers have been funded by the AHA. Just this year, we received $7 million from the AHA for specific innovative research.”

In addition to the AHA grants, he said, VCU Health researchers would also have access to a new source of funding, the Pauley Pilot Research Grants program. “Pilot grants may sound like something every academic medical center is doing, but as healthcare budgets get tighter across the country, we are extremely fortunate to rely on the philanthropic support of our Pauley Heart Center donors. The Pauley Pilot Research Grants program is completely funded by gifts from grateful patients, alumni, faculty and staff.”

Other speakers that evening included Patti Jackson, AHA’s executive director; Larry Little, vice president of Support Services and Planning and 2018 AHA Heart Ball chair; and Deborah Davis, CEO of VCU Hospitals and Clinics and AHA’s board president.

Following the short speeches, the guests enjoyed a dinner catered by Mosaic. They then had the opportunity to mingle with Pauley researchers, who had set up posters about their studies.

“The evening was an opportunity for those who support the American Heart Association to see the commitment and discoveries that are being made at VCU Health to cure heart disease,” said Ellenbogen. “It is exciting to receive recognition for all the great work going on in Richmond.”