Dr. Jane W. Newburger, a distinguished professor of pediatrics at Harvard Medical School and associate chair for academic affairs in the cardiology department at Boston Children's Hospital, has been selected to receive the 2024 Eugene Braunwald Academic Mentorship Award. This prestigious honor will be presented during the American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions 2024 in Chicago, acknowledging Dr. Newburger's outstanding contributions to mentoring and advancing cardiovascular research. The Eugene Braunwald Academic Mentorship Award is bestowed annually to individuals who have demonstrated a long-term commitment to teaching and mentoring the next generation of faculty researchers, educators, and healthcare professionals. Dr. Newburger's selection for this award underscores her significant impact on the field of pediatric cardiology and her dedication to shaping the careers of numerous individuals throughout her 45-year tenure at Harvard Medical School.
Throughout her career, Dr. Newburger has mentored nearly 60 trainees and early career faculty, many of whom have gone on to achieve prominent positions in academia both nationally and internationally. Her mentorship extends beyond clinical training, encompassing research guidance and support for fellows and junior faculty in securing grants and awards from various institutions, including the National Institutes of Health and the American Heart Association. Dr. Newburger's expertise in pediatric and congenital heart disease has been particularly valuable in advancing research and clinical care. Her work on Kawasaki disease, a condition affecting young children that can cause serious damage to the heart and blood vessels, has been instrumental in improving diagnosis and treatment. Additionally, her research on neurological and developmental outcomes in children with congenital heart disease has significantly contributed to understanding the long-term impacts of these conditions.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Dr. Newburger's leadership proved crucial in addressing the emergence of multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C), a rare but serious condition associated with COVID-19 infection. Her expertise in Kawasaki disease allowed her to quickly engage in MIS-C research and become a key spokesperson for the American Heart Association on this issue, providing vital information to the public and medical community. The impact of Dr. Newburger's work extends beyond her research contributions. As a program director of a large T32 program for over three decades, she has played a pivotal role in training and supporting the next generation of cardiovascular researchers and clinicians. Her mentorship has been recognized with several prestigious awards, including Harvard Medical School's Silen Lifetime Mentoring Award and the Joseph P. Martin Award for the Advancement of Women Faculty.
Dr. Newburger's selection for the Eugene Braunwald Academic Mentorship Award highlights the critical importance of mentorship in advancing medical research and improving patient care. Her ability to balance a busy clinical practice with groundbreaking research and dedicated mentorship serves as an inspiring model for future generations of medical professionals. The recognition of Dr. Newburger's contributions comes at a time when the field of pediatric cardiology faces new challenges, including the long-term effects of conditions like MIS-C and the ongoing need for improved treatments for congenital heart defects. Her continued leadership and mentorship will undoubtedly play a crucial role in addressing these challenges and shaping the future of pediatric cardiovascular care. As the American Heart Association celebrates its centennial year in 2024, the honoring of Dr. Newburger with this prestigious award reflects the organization's commitment to recognizing excellence in cardiovascular research, education, and patient care. Her work embodies the Association's mission of advancing health and hope for everyone, everywhere, and serves as a testament to the power of dedicated mentorship in driving medical progress.
