October 20, 2006

Madsen named Austen Distinguished Scholar in Cardiac Surgery

Joren Madsen, MD, DPhil, of the MGH Department of Cardiac Surgery, (far left) recently was named the inaugural W. Gerald and Patricia R. Austen (both on the right) Distinguished Scholar in Cardiac Surgery. The award was established by the Austens to provide funding for research and education in cardiac surgery at the MGH. "My wife, Patty, and I have had a longstanding interest in and friendship with the MGH Cardiac Surgical Group," says Austen, an honorary trustee of the MGH and the Massachusetts General Physicians Organization and a former chief of MGH Surgical Services. "It has been one of our major hopes that we could in some way support the scholarly efforts of this outstanding division."

Madsen is a highly-regarded authority in the fields of cardiac surgery and transplantation. In addition to his clinical surgical duties, Madsen's research interests focus on the use of molecular and cellular techniques to study transplant tolerance and chronic rejection of organ grafts. The goal of his work is to improve the survival rate of donor organs that do not genetically match the recipient and to increase the donor pool through xenotransplantation, the transplantation of organs, tissues or cells between species.

"The Austen name is synonymous with excellence, and therefore it is a very special honor to have my name associated with theirs," says Madsen. "Dr. and Mrs. Austen have touched the lives of so many surgeons. I am incredibly lucky to have this honor bestowed upon me."

Andrew L. Warshaw, MD, MGH surgeon-in-chief, and Gus Vlahakes, MD, chief of the Cardiac Surgery Division, led the selection process for the award. "Dr. Madsen provided an optimal fit for the concept of this new award: A mid-career surgeon/scientist who would benefit from both the recognition and financial support to facilitate research progress," says Warshaw. Adds Austen, "My wife and I are absolutely thrilledthat Dr. Madsen was chosen as the first incumbent for this award."