New ACC Fellowship Targets Rural Heart Health Disparities With $70K Award

The American College of Cardiology (ACC) has launched a new research fellowship to tackle disparities in heart health for rural and underserved communities. Announced at ACC.26, a leading global cardiovascular conference, the initiative aims to boost research into closing the equity gap in cardiovascular outcomes. The programme also honours a long-standing commitment to improving care for those most in need.

The Thad and Gerry Waites Rural Cardiovascular Research Fellowship Award will provide up to $70,000 in funding. It supports early-career cardiologists and fellows-in-training focused on rural cardiovascular care. The award emphasises clinical excellence, community involvement, and advancing health equity.

Dr. Plicy Perez-Kersey, an early-career cardiologist at Seattle Children's Hospital and the University of Washington, has been named the first recipient. Her research will examine gaps in maternal and fetal heart health within rural areas. The goal is to spot risks earlier and ensure quicker medical intervention.

The fellowship encourages collaboration and mentorship among researchers dedicated to rural health. It aims to speed up scientific progress while making sure findings are put into practice in local communities. The ACC's broader mission is to transform global cardiovascular care, addressing the fact that heart disease remains the world's top cause of death.

The fellowship marks a key step in supporting research that targets rural cardiovascular disparities. Dr. Perez-Kersey's work on maternal and fetal heart health will be among the first projects funded. As of early 2026, no further recipients or research locations have been announced.