Dr. Jackie Noonan Named 'Gifted Educator' for 2014

LEXINGTON, Ky. (March 26, 2014) — Dr. Jacqueline (Jackie) Noonan, long-time faculty member at the University of Kentucky College of Medicine and former chair of the Department of Pediatrics, has been named the "Gifted Educator" for 2014 by the American College of Cardiology.

The award recognizes someone who has demonstrated innovative, outstanding teaching characteristics that contribute significantly to the field of cardiovascular medicine.

"This honor is well-deserved and places Dr. Noonan in rare company.  She has represented the University of Kentucky admirably for more than 50 years — not just in her capacity as a teacher and mentor, but as a strong advocate for Kentuckians with congenital heart disease," said Dr. Doug Schneider, chief of the Division of Pediatric Cardiology at UK.

Noonan came to UK's newly established College of Medicine in 1961.  In 1963, she began publishing papers about children with a rare type of heart defect and distinct physical characteristics. The condition was eventually named Noonan Syndrome in acknowledgment of her efforts.

Currently professor emerita, Noonan has served the University of Kentucky in numerous capacities, including as a member of the University Senate and the Admissions Committee for the College of Medicine. She serves on the editorial boards of many national and international professional journals and has hundreds of book chapters, presentations, and studies in peer-reviewed publications attributed to her. Although she officially retired in 2007,  Noonan comes to work every day, continues to teach, publish, see patients, and advise junior faculty. She also continues to travel to all parts of the globe to lecture.

This is not the first time Noonan has been recognized for her work.  She was given the Helen B. Fraser Award from the Kentucky Public Health Association, named one of the Best Women Doctors in America by Harper's Bazaar, and received a Lifetime Achievement Award from The Best Doctors in America. She also received the A. Bradley Soule Award from The University of Vermont, her alma mater.

The American College of Cardiology (ACC) is a nonprofit medical association established in 1949 as the world's leading advocate for quality cardiovascular care, providing clinical practice guidelines, education, credentialing and other services to its 40,000 members.

Noonan will accept her award at the ACC annual meeting March 31, in Washington, D.C.