Contact: Tori Gabriel, MBA-HA
Email: tori@floridaheart.org
Direct Line: (305) 604-3252

Richard S. Schofield, M.D.

University of Florida Researcher
Wins Prestigious Cardiology Research Award

Kissimmee, Florida, August 23, 2008 - The Florida Heart Research Institute has named Dr. Richard S. Schofield its sixth Stop Heart Disease Researcher of the Year at the annual meeting of the Florida Chapter of the American College of Cardiology (FCACC) at the Boardwalk Resort in Kissimmee, Florida on Saturday evening. "The future in cardiovascular medicine belongs to those who can translate clinical knowledge into patient care", said Kathleen DuCasse, Chief Executive Officer of the Florida Heart Research Institute, in presenting the award. 

Dr. Schofield's ground-breaking efforts in caring for patients with congestive heart failure address the application of advanced therapeutics to distinct clinical scenarios-how to best select and care for patients in need of such advanced therapies as cardiac resynchronization and/or transplantation; how to improve access to care; how to best manage patients in order to minimize repeated hospitalizations and its attendant morbidity. Dr. Schofield is concerned not only with advancing the science of health care, but with determining the most effective ways to translate that knowledge into direct patient care.

This prestigious award is granted to the individual within the State of Florida whose research is felt to have had the broadest impact on the advancement of knowledge in the diagnosis and/or treatment of cardiovascular diseases. To be considered for the award, the researcher must be nominated by a colleague, conduct research within and be a resident of Florida, be active in the arena of clinical and/or basic science, and have reported the results of his or her work in the peer review arena of scientific meetings and/or publications. For his achievements in cardiovascular research, Dr. Schofield received $25,000 from the Florida Heart Research Institute to be applied toward future cardiac research in Florida.

The award is given in conjunction with the Florida Heart Research Foundation, a subsidiary of FHRI, to promote Florida's Stop Heart Disease license plate that is now available to Florida residents. Proceeds from the sale of the specialty license plate are used for heart disease research, education, and prevention programs throughout the state. Since its inception in 2004, the license plate has funded this prestigious award to recognize and encourage leading edge cardiovascular research within the state of Florida. It has also funded life saving screenings for Floridians throughout the state.

Heart disease is the number one cause of death and disability in the U.S.  In 2003, an estimated 65,000 Floridians died of heart related illness (nearly 40% of all deaths), and hospitalization costs to care for Floridians with heart disease exceeded $4.4 billion. 

Paul Kurlansky, MD, FHRI's Director of Research, hailed Dr. Schofield's advancements in caring for patients with congestive heart failure. "Florida has a long history of outstanding leadership in cardiovascular research", he stated. "It is time that we recognize the efforts of Florida researchers who tirelessly strive to gain understanding into the cause, diagnosis, treatment and prevention of heart disease. We thank Dr. Schofield for his hard work and perseverance."

FHRI was founded more than 60 years ago as Miami Heart Research Institute, an international leader with a mission to Stop Heart Disease through cardiovascular research, education, and prevention programs.  For more information, go to www.stopheartdisease.org and www.floridaheart.org.