Professional News

Gill Foundation Honors Excellence in Cardiovascular Medicine, Research

image of headshots of Dr. Cameron and Dr. Moore
Scott J. Cameron, M.D., Ph.D., and Kathryn Moore, Ph.D., were honored by the Gill Foundation for their work in cardiovascular research.

LEXINGTON, Ky. (March 16, 2022) The Gill Awards, given each year through the generous support of the Gill Foundation of Texas, honor individuals who have made significant contributions to the field of cardiovascular medicine, both through research and clinical care. The awards are based on nominations and assessment by a committee of prominent cardiovascular researchers from across the nation.   

Scott J. Cameron, M.D., Ph.D., section head of Vascular Medicine at the Cleveland Clinic, was awarded the Gill Heart and Vascular Institute Early Career Gill Award. Given to those early in their careers, typically within the first seven years of their faculty appointment, the awardees are recognized for innovation and creativity that has impacted cardiovascular research and advancements in clinical care. The committee selected Cameron based on him rapidly developing a high-profile research program to determine the role of platelets on vascular diseases.

Cameron will present his body of work at the Annual Gill Heart and Vascular Institute Cardiovascular Research Day on Oct. 28, 2022, where he also will receive a plaque and a cash prize of $10,000. 

Kathryn Moore, Ph.D., the Jean and David Blechman Professor of Cardiology and professor of cell biology at New York University, was awarded the Gill Heart and Vascular Institute Award for Outstanding Contributions to Cardiovascular Research. Moore was honored for her notable and life-long achievements in research and its impact on cardiovascular biology and disease and the standard of cardiovascular clinical care. This has included published many high cited manuscripts of pioneering work that describes the role of immunity and micro RNAs in development of atherosclerotic diseases. In 2021, Moore was elected to the National Academy of Sciences.

Moore will present her body of work at the Cardiovascular Research Day where she will also receive a plaque and a cash prize of $25,000. 

“We are grateful for the support of Linda and Jack Gill to recognize these high accomplished investigators and afford them the opportunity visit our campus to interact with all the members of the University of Kentucky Cardiovascular Research Priority Area,” said Alan Daughtery, director of the Saha Cardiovascular Research Center and Gill Foundation Chair in Preventive Cardiology.

About the Gill Foundation

The Gill Foundation of Texas focuses on providing scholarships for economically disadvantaged students; creating Centers of Excellence in technical fields (e.g., cardiovascular sciences, neurosciences and entrepreneurial programs for scientists, engineers & physicians); and creating novel courses, seminars and programs to promote interdisciplinary collaboration at universities.

Their $5 million donation in 1997 established the Linda and Jack Gill Heart and Vascular Institute (GHVI) at UK HealthCare, home to cutting-edge cardiovascular research, clinical care and education for cardiovascular professionals. GHVI focuses on advancing the knowledge of cardiovascular disease, diagnoses, clinical treatments and prevention. This donation also funded an endowed chair in preventive cardiology, five endowed professorships, endowed research and special programs and supports the annual Cardiovascular Research Day symposia.

As the state’s flagship, land-grant institution, the University of Kentucky exists to advance the Commonwealth. We do that by preparing the next generation of leaders — placing students at the heart of everything we do — and transforming the lives of Kentuckians through education, research and creative work, service and health care. We pride ourselves on being a catalyst for breakthroughs and a force for healing, a place where ingenuity unfolds. It's all made possible by our people — visionaries, disruptors and pioneers — who make up 200 academic programs, a $476.5 million research and development enterprise and a world-class medical center, all on one campus.   

In 2022, UK was ranked by Forbes as one of the “Best Employers for New Grads” and named a “Diversity Champion” by INSIGHT into Diversity, a testament to our commitment to advance Kentucky and create a community of belonging for everyone. While our mission looks different in many ways than it did in 1865, the vision of service to our Commonwealth and the world remains the same. We are the University for Kentucky.