Puttur Origin Dr Annapoorna Kini Conferred with ‘Heart of Gold’ Award in USA
Mangaluru: An Alumni of Kasturba Medical College-Mangaluru having bagged three honors and gold medals when she completed her MBBS in 1991, and hailing from Puttur, now Dr Annapoorna Kini, the Director of Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory at Mount Sinai-New York, USA has been awarded the ‘Heart of Gold Award’ for her contribution to improve the health of New Yorkers. Valentin Fuster, the director of Mount Sinai Heart and Physician-In-Chief of Mount Sinai Hospital handed over the award to her.
On 6 June 2018 the American Heart Association in New York City celebrated its annual Heart and Stroke Ball. The event brought together hundreds of volunteers, survivors and other supporters who work round the year to bring the American Heart Association’s mission to life. This year’s event was unique because its theme of ‘Access and Health Inequity’ highlighted growing health disparities in New York City.
Receiving the award Dr Annapoorna said, “It is such a big honour to receive the Heart of Gold Award from the American Heart Association. My advice to all women out there is to pursue your passion in whichever field it is. Remain focused, remain humble and maintain balance between family and work. There is no substitute for hard work and family is equally important.”
Dr Kini seen with Valentin Fuster, the director of Mount Sinai Heart and
Physician-In-Chief of Mount Sinai Hospital handed over the award to her.
Dr Annapoorna is married to U Subhash Kini. Last year, she received the Ellis Island Medal of Honour and was one among six Indian-Americans to win this medal which is considered as one of the most prestigious awards award in the US. Kini is an international leader in the field of percutaneous coronary intervention and heart valve therapy. After receiving her medical degree from India, she completed her training in England, followed by a fellowship in general cardiology and interventional cardiology at The Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York.
Her brother Radesha Vittappa Prabhu, who stays at Bolwar in Puttur taluk speaking to media has said, “The family feels proud of her achievements. She has always worked hard. She comes home every year. Her work hours in the US begin as early as 6 am and go on till 10 pm.”
Sources reveal that Dr Kini performs over 1,000 coronary interventions annually, the highest number by a female interventionist in the US. She had completed her PU from Vivekananda College-Puttur in 1984.
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