The American Heart Association has named Bruce Ovbiagele, M.D., M.Sc., M.A.S., M.B.A., M.L.S., FAHA, as the recipient of its 2026 Eugene Braunwald Academic Mentorship Award. Ovbiagele, a professor of neurology, health policy and global health and associate dean at the University of California, San Francisco School of Medicine, also serves as chief of staff of the San Francisco VA Medical Center. He will be recognized during the Presidential Session on Sunday, Nov. 8, at the Association’s Scientific Sessions 2026, to be held Nov. 6-9 in Chicago.
The award is named for legendary cardiologist Eugene Braunwald, M.D., widely regarded as the father of modern cardiology, who died in April 2026 at age 96. It honors his legacy as a physician-scientist, educator and mentor. The Eugene Braunwald Academic Mentorship Award recognizes an individual with a sustained record of excellence in teaching and mentoring the next generation of faculty researchers, educators and health care professionals. Recipients are recognized for their lasting impact on cardiovascular care and research through extensive mentoring of residents, fellows and early-career investigators. “Mentoring young clinicians and scientists was among Gene’s greatest passions,” said Mrs. Elaine Smith Braunwald, Dr. Braunwald’s widow. “This award holds special meaning for our family, and we are deeply grateful that his legacy will continue through the exceptional mentors and future leaders it recognizes.”
Ovbiagele has devoted his career to mentoring physician-scientists and clinical leaders while advancing stroke prevention, neurological health and equitable care. As principal investigator of multiple National Institutes of Health-funded research and training programs, his mentoring environment fosters scientific rigor and leadership development. His leadership impact spans institutions, disciplines and continents. He has mentored more than 150 people from 18 different countries; 85% have gone on to faculty positions, and 40% have received notable grants. He is also editor-in-chief of the Journal of the American Heart Association, founding president of the Society for Equity Neuroscience, vice president of the American Neurological Association, an elected member of the National Academy of Medicine, a master of the American College of Physicians, and a fellow of numerous scientific organizations including the American Heart Association.
“Dr. Bruce Ovbiagele represents the ideals celebrated by the Eugene Braunwald Academic Mentorship Award,” said Manesh R. Patel, M.D., FAHA, the American Heart Association’s 2026-2027 volunteer president. “Throughout his distinguished career, Dr. Ovbiagele has combined scientific excellence with an unwavering commitment to mentoring future leaders. By nurturing investigators worldwide, especially those working to reduce health disparities, he has strengthened the cardiovascular and stroke research community and created a legacy that will influence the fields for generations. As we mourn Dr. Braunwald’s passing earlier this year, we also celebrate the thousands of lives influenced by his extraordinary research and leadership.”
An internationally recognized vascular neurologist, Ovbiagele has authored more than 700 peer-reviewed publications, edited six books and leads NIH-supported research programs focused on improving neurological outcomes among underserved populations. “I am deeply honored to receive the Eugene Braunwald Academic Mentorship Award,” said Ovbiagele. “Mentorship has been one of the greatest privileges of my career. Every trainee brings new perspectives, ideas and energy that ultimately advance science and improve patient care.”
The recognition underscores the growing emphasis on mentorship and health equity in cardiovascular and stroke research. Additional multimedia is available via the release link. For more information about the American Heart Association, visit heart.org or stroke.org.
