Velarde receives honors from two national cardiology organizations
, a 萝莉社 Heath cardiologist and associate professor of at the , has received honors from two high-profile organizations in her field.
Velarde has been elected as a fellow of the American Heart Association, a distinction conferred by the association鈥檚 Council on Clinical Cardiology. It recognizes and awards premium professional members for excellence, innovation and sustained contributions in the areas of scholarship, practice, education and volunteer service.
She has also been appointed to serve as a member of the American College of Cardiology鈥檚 Women in Cardiology Section Leadership Council. Her three-year term begins April 1.
鈥淟eadership roles within ACC committees are more important than ever, as ACC鈥檚 ongoing governance transformation has made way for decentralized decision-making and increased autonomy at the committee level,鈥� ACC officials wrote in a letter to Velarde.
Velarde said she wants to use her appointment to help enhance the careers of female cardiologists through mentorship, professional development and the promotion of leadership opportunities. Exposing prospective cardiologists to the field is also an aim.
鈥淲e want to enhance the appeal of cardiology as a specialty and encourage young women in high school, college and medical school to pursue careers in this field,鈥� Velarde said. 鈥淚n addition, we seek to advocate for parity between the genders, particularly in terms of salary equity and leadership advancement within the physician workforce.鈥�
Like the ACC appointment, Velarde says her election from the American Heart Association is a great honor.
鈥淚 am extremely thankful for the honor. It is a recognition of my commitment to education, volunteerism, community service and cross-collaboration with leaders in cardiovascular disease prevention,鈥� said Velarde, who serves on a special AHA council geared toward stroke and heart disease prevention among special populations.
鈥淭he distinction of fellow will elevate my role within the council and allow me to continue collaborating with national leaders in the field on reducing racial, gender and ethnic disparities in cardiovascular health,鈥� she said.
Velarde is medical director of the Women鈥檚 Cardiovascular Program at the 萝莉社 Cardiovascular Center and director of the at the 萝莉社 College of Medicine 鈥� Jacksonville. She also spends time with residents during their cardiology rotations and leads several public education initiatives, especially those pertaining to women鈥檚 heart health.