Houston, Texas (February 9, 2018) –  Dr. Joseph S. Coselli, Chief of Adult Cardiac Surgery at Texas Heart Institute and Vice-Chair of the Michael E. DeBakey Department of Surgery, received the Ray C. Fish Award for Scientific Achievement, which is presented annually to innovators in the field of cardiovascular medicine and surgery. Texas Heart Institute (THI) President Emeritus Dr. James T. Willerson presented Dr. Coselli with the award during the 17th Texas Update in Cardiovascular Advancements meeting on February 9, 2018.

In addition to his roles at THI and the Michael E. DeBakey Department of Surgery, Dr. Coselli also holds the Cullen Foundation Endowed Chair, is a professor and Chief of the Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery at Baylor College of Medicine (BCM), and serves as Associate Chief of the Cardiovascular Service at Baylor St. Luke’s Medical Center. Dr. Coselli is also the Program Director of the Texas Heart Institute/Baylor College of Medicine Thoracic Surgery Residency.

Dr. Coselli, who was mentored by Dr. E. Stanley Crawford, specializes in matters related to diseases of the aorta. After graduating from the University of Notre Dame with a bachelor’s degree in Biology, Dr. Coselli attended Medical School at the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston. He completed his residency under Dr. Michael DeBakey and Dr. Crawford. In 1984, Dr. Coselli became a Junior Associate to Dr. Crawford. Seven years later he transitioned into a senior role after Dr. Crawford suffered a debilitating stroke.

He has performed over 10,000 repairs of the aorta and over 3,400 repairs of thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms, a procedure for which he is known worldwide. Furthermore, Dr. Coselli has published more than 500 medical manuscripts and delivered more than 750 presentations in 27 countries, including the John W. Kirklin Lectureship (Mayo Clinic) and the Hubbard Visiting Professor at Brigham and Women’s Hospital (Harvard Medical School).

The late Ray C. Fish, Houston philanthropist, established the Ray C. Fish Foundation from which his generous gift to THI supported the Institute’s ability to serve a growing number of heart patients who were coming to the Institute in the 1960s. In honor of Ray Fish’s pivotal role in THI’s history, the Institute established the Ray C. Fish Award for Scientific Achievement in 1972. Since that time 37 physicians have received the prestigious award for their unique cardiovascular innovations. For the full list of award recipients, see the previous recipients of the Ray C. Fish Award page.