Four Students Committed to Cardiovascular Health, Education Receive Saha Awards

The University of Kentucky Saha Cardiovascular Research Center has selected four students committed to futures in cardiovascular health as the recipients of the 2015 Saha Awards for Cardiovascular Research and Education. Second-year University of Kentucky medical student Kristin Andres earned the 2015 recipient of the medical student honor. Committed to a clinical career in pediatric cardiology, Andres received a Professional Student Mentored Research Fellowship for the 2015-2016 academic year. Jennifer Miller, a doctoral candidate in the UK College of Nursing, received the University of Kentucky Nursing Student Award. With intentions of continuing scholarly research at a university, Miller has a special interest in social determinants of health, health literacy and quality of life for cardiovascular patients. Jennifer Akers, a student at Frontier Nursing University who is training at St. Claire Regional Medical Center, was chosen for the Eastern Kentucky nursing student honor. Akers plans to devote her career to educating patients about management practices for congestive heart failure. A student in the College of Nursing’s doctor of nursing practice program, Sooksai Kaewbua was selected as the Paula Fritz, RN, Award recipient. Her research interests include developing ways to prevent cardiovascular disease in geriatric psychiatric patients and her research has focused on educational paths to achieving this objective. “Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death for both men and women, which is why it’s critical that future health scientists express a commitment to advancing this field of medicine,” said Alan Daugherty, director of the Saha Cardiovascular Research Center. “Through their contributions to research and patient care, our four honorees have shown they share the vision of Dr. and Mrs. Saha to improve cardiovascular health not only in Kentucky, but around the world.” The four recipients will be honored during the 18th Annual Saha Cardiovascular Research Center Cardiovascular Research Day Awards Dinner on Oct. 2, 2015. MEDIA CONTACT: Elizabeth Adams, elizabethadams@uky.edu