Lake Forest Hospital Cardiologist Named American Heart Association's 2014 Physician of the Year

Neil J. Stone, MD, a Northwestern Medicine cardiologist for more

than four decades, was named the American Heart Association's 2014 Physician

of the Year, the organization's honor given annually to a physician who has

rendered "outstanding accomplishments."

"As a renowned expert in preventive cardiovascular medicine and lipidology,

Dr. Stone has had an enduring and critically important impact not only on

the mission of the American Heart Association, but in the lives of the many

patients he has cared for, as well as the medical students and residents who

have benefited from his training and mentoring," said Nancy Brown, chief

executive officer of the AHA. "We thank Dr. Stone for his tireless efforts

to advance scientific knowledge, raise awareness of risk modification, and

ultimately improve health outcomes and quality of life."

Stone, who is also medical director of the center for vascular disease at

Bluhm Cardiovascular Institute, the Robert Bonow Professor in

medicine-cardiology at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine

and who sees patients at  Northwestern Memorial Hospital and Lake Forest

Hospital, pursued cardiology after his uncle, grandmother and her brothers

all died of premature cardiac death before they were 50 years old. His

father also died of heart disease, leading him on a lifelong mission to

understand and try to prevent the disease that is the number one killer of

men and women in the United States.

"I am humbled to receive an award that so many outstanding individuals have

received," said Stone. "As a recognition of my life's work in trying to

prevent heart disease, it is especially gratifying."

For more than 30 years, Stone volunteered on various committees with the

AHA. In 2009, he chaired a committee commissioned by the National Heart Lung

and Blood Institute to update cholesterol guidelines. After four years of

work, the committee released its new evidence-based recommendations in

November 2013. The guidelines, which shifted from the traditional practice

of using LDL and non-HDL numbers as target cholesterol goals, generated

robust dialogue in the medical community. For months, Stone carefully and

consistently explained to practitioners the methodology, practice and

long-term benefits for patients of the newly released guidelines.

"There are few times in a life of service when one can impact potentially

millions of lives. Winners of the AHA Physician of the Year Award have done

exactly that," said Clyde Yancy, MD, chief of cardiology and associate

director of the Bluhm Cardiovascular Institute. "Dr. Neil Stone, through his

deep understanding of science, his unending commitment to medicine and his

genuineness to help alleviate the burden of heart disease has championed

heart disease prevention. He put his personal and professional integrity on

the line; he withstood at times withering criticism; but now his efforts

stand tall as a beacon to better health and an answer to the heft of

coronary artery disease. Never before has there been a more deserving

recipient of this award."

The AHA also recognized Yancy, who is the Magerstadt Professor at Feinberg,

as recipient of the AHA's 2014 Gold Heart Award. That is the highest honor

the association gives in recognition of continued distinguished service.

Yancy is a past president of the AHA.

"Drs. Stone and Yancy have been pillars of our cardiology program at

Northwestern for years," said Robert O. Bonow, MD, MS, vice chairman of the

Department of Medicine, director of Northwestern's Center for Cardiovascular

Innovation, and a past AHA president. "We are proud that these AHA national

awards recognize them for their expertise, vision, and leadership. These are

qualities that their patients and colleagues see in them every day."

AHA leaders will present the awards to Stone and Yancy on June 24 and 25 in

Dallas. On June 26, the doctors will be feted in a reception at Northwestern

Medicine's Prentice Women's Hospital.

"Here at Northwestern we hold these two colleagues and friends in the

highest esteem," said Patrick M. McCarthy, MD, chief of cardiac surgery and

director of the Bluhm Cardiovascular Institute. "It is gratifying to see the

American Heart Association recognize their important contributions."