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Ochsner Health cardiologist receives “Women in STEM” award
NEW ORLEANS, La – Ochsner Health cardiologist Salima Qamruddin, MD, MPH, FASE, FACC has been named a 2024 “Women in STEM” honoree by the American Heart Association and Entergy. This annual award gives recognition to six local female leaders who have demonstrated an exceptional commitment and made an impact in the field of science, technology, engineering and math across New Orleans.
As an honoree, Dr. Qamruddin was formally recognized at the 2024 “Go Red for Women” luncheon on Friday, March 1. The event, held at the Hilton Riverside, celebrated the accomplishments of all six “Women in STEM” honorees and encouraged continued advancements in the field.
“I am deeply grateful and humbled to be honored among women striving for excellence in STEM in the City of New Orleans. Women continue to break barriers every day. In the medical field, women are leading and innovating with relentless dedication and knowledge, creating a more inclusive future for aspiring young women to pursue a medical career. I am proud to be a woman and a physician during this time,” said Dr. Qamruddin.
Board certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine and the National Board of Echocardiography, Dr. Qamruddin exemplifies a commitment to excellence in cardiovascular medicine. Her research highlights echocardiography (ultrasound imaging of the heart). She has studied calcific mitral valve stenosis, a disease affecting older women that is often underdiagnosed and undertreated. Her additional research interests include using advanced ultrasound imaging (myocardial strain and three-dimensional ultrasound imaging) to improve cardiac care of cancer, valvular heart disease, and heart failure patients while improving the diagnostic accuracy of ultrasound-based stress testing for patients. In the field of women’s heart health, she is studying the cardiovascular effects of preeclampsia or high blood pressure in pregnancy, aiming to prevent maternal mortality from this disease.
Dr. Qamruddin is the director of echocardiography quality and research, the director of the Women’s Cardiovascular Wellness Clinic at the John Ochsner Heart and Vascular Institute, and a senior lecturer at the University of Queensland.
“This recognition is a testament to Dr. Qamruddin’s dedication to cardiology research, exceptional leadership, and unwavering commitment to compassionate patient care. She is inspiring and worthy of this recognition,” said Robert Hart, MD, chief physician executive, Ochsner Health and president, Ochsner Clinic.
Dr. Qamruddin is an active member of the American Society of Echocardiography (ASE) and the American College of Cardiology (ACC) and currently serves as a rising star on the industry and research committee at ASE.
For more information about the John Ochsner Heart and Vascular Institute, visit www.ochsner.org.
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About Ochsner Health
Ochsner Health is the leading not-for-profit healthcare provider in the Gulf South, delivering expert care at its 46 hospitals and more than 370 health and urgent care centers. For 12 consecutive years, U.S. News & World Report has recognized Ochsner as the No. 1 hospital in Louisiana. Additionally, Ochsner Children’s has been recognized as the No. 1 hospital for kids in Louisiana for three consecutive years. Ochsner inspires healthier lives and stronger communities through a combination of standard-setting expertise, quality and connection not found anywhere else in the region. In 2023, Ochsner Health cared for more than 1.5 million people from every state in the nation and 65 countries. Ochsner’s workforce includes more than 38,000 dedicated team members and over 4,700 employed and affiliated physicians. To learn more about how Ochsner empowers people to get well and stay well, visit https://www.ochsner.org/.
