Purpose
The Cardiovascular Sciences Center (CVSC) provides key coordination and support services for Wake Forest University School of Medicine investigators engaged in cardiovascular science research to foster innovation and new discovery. There is a special emphasis on primary and secondary cardiovascular disease prevention and prevention of heart failure as this aligns with the Strategic Plan and heart and vascular service line priorities. The CVSC strives to foster the success of the next generation of cardiovascular science investigators involved in research and medicine and to strengthen the connection between outstanding research faculty and clinical care providers. Our commitment to multidisciplinary team research capitalizes on several existing programmatic efforts where prevention is a key concept, and we will continue to foster integration of this theme into new initiatives.
CVSC membership serves as program director, faculty and mentors in a number of research training programs focused on increasing diversity in the biomedical sciences and health professions. Pictured are PREP, IMSD and IRACDA trainees, mentors and faculty from the Mid-Atlantic programs at a meeting in 2019.
Goals and Future Directions
- Communication – including communication within the Center, the rest of the Wake Forest Baptist Health, our regional patients and partners and the wider cardiovascular scientific community
- Research Facilitation – including scientific, statistical, operational, financial and administrative support designed to generate new knowledge and to use this knowledge to enhance the treatment and prevention of cardiovascular disease
- Early Career Development – the sustainability of our clinical and scientific cardiovascular enterprise requires a continuous pipeline of new scientists and clinician investigators committed to an academic career
All of our activities directly relate to one or more of these themes.
2023 Center Annual Report Highlights:
Membership, Publication and Extramural Funding Activities for 2023
We congratulate members on their continued successes and highlight the many sustained achievements below. Membership averages 2.4 publications per member and continues to steadily increase funding (the number of active awards and total annual funding). Many of the awards reflect the programmatic efforts of our highly collaborative and team-oriented faculty. The number of application submissions increased as well for a total of $591 million!
Of note, we continue our commitment to training the next generation of diverse scientists and health professionals, with 7 active training awards (T32, T35 and R25) and 2 K awards where members serve as PI/MPI for a total annual funding of $1.8 million.
