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More awards have been bestowed on echocardiography pioneer Dr Navin C Nanda, this time from the Philippines.
Nanda, professor of medicine and director of the Heart Station/Echocardiography Laboratories at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, received the Maharlika Award in Science, 'in recognition of his valuable pioneering work in echocardiography and his leadership in advocating its widespread utilization on a global scale.'
"Maharlika in the Filipino idiom," explained Nanda, "connotes nobility or royalty as someone who has become the respected leader of a clan or tribe reverentially referred to as the Datu or Sultan. They said I was the Datu of echocardiography, which was quite humbling. Though I've received scores of awards through the years, each one carries with it a special meaning, particularly since it shows a deep appreciation for the cutting-edge work in echocardiography that I've dedicated my life's work to."
The award was presented by the Philippines Association of Cardiology's Organizing Committee during the opening ceremony of the 14th World Congress of Echocardiography, Vascular Ultrasound and Allied Techniques, held recently in Mandaluyong City, the Philippines.
Just before that, Nanda was presented with one of the American College of Cardiology's Distinguished awards, the 2010 International Service Award for 'outstanding contributions to cardiovascular medicine and science and for significantly enhancing cardiovascular care throughout the world.' The award is presented only when the ACC feels there is an awardee who merits it.
ACC President Dr Alford A Bove presenting the award at the ACC annual meeting in Atlanta, Georgia, told Nanda, 'You have been a true role model You have made great contributions to the College and to the international cardiovascular community.'
Earlier this year, the Chinese American Heart Association bestowed its Distinguished Special Award on Nanda for his 'vision and pioneering work in organizing the American Association of Cardiologists of Indian Origin,' which, the CAHA said, 'inspired us to form the Chinese American Heart Association.'
In September 2009, the World Congress of Clinical, Preventive, and Geriatric Cardiology, at its parley held in New Delhi, honored Nanda as the Cardiologist of the Millennium. In October 2009, the Indian College of Cardiology presented Nanda with its Outstanding Medical Teacher of the Millennium award.
Earlier this year, he was appointed president of the North American Section of the International Academy of Cardiovascular Sciences. He was also appointed president of the International Congress on Geriatric Cardiology and Noninvasive Cardiac Imaging.