Carolyn Moore McCue, M.D.

Grant Honors Cardiology Pioneer Through National Award

February is American Heart Month, and as part of their observance, the VCU Health Pauley Heart Center is holding its annual Heart Health in Women Symposium. This year, the virtual gathering of cardiology professionals will also honor a nationally outstanding cardiologist with the McCue Award for Woman Cardiologist of the Year.

Sharonne Hayes, M.D.
Sharonne Hayes, M.D., is the 2022 recipient of the Dr. Carolyn McCue Award for Woman Cardiologist of the Year.

The 2022 recipient of this national award is Sharonne Hayes, M.D., who practices with the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn. Dr. Hayes stood out among all the nominees for her mentorship of women in cardiology, success at bringing a multidisciplinary focus to women’s heart health issues and her pioneering work on Spontaneous Coronary Artery Dissection. She has also been deeply committed and engaged in her institution’s diversity, equity, anti-bias, and inclusion efforts. Dr. Hayes will receive her award and be honored on February 5, 2022, during Pauley’s 7th annual Heart Health in Women Symposium, where she will also be the keynote speaker.

As the Pauley Heart Center prepares to honor Dr. Hayes, it is especially heartwarming to remember the inspiration and story behind the award and how it continues to be a testament to excellence on the MCV Campus.

The Dr. Carolyn McCue Award for Woman Cardiologist of the Year is a program of the VCU Health Pauley Heart Center that was made possible by a generous gift from the McCue family. The award honors the late Carolyn Moore McCue, M.D., who graduated from the Medical College of Virginia in 1941 and completed her residency on the MCV Campus in 1947. She was a national pioneer in pediatric cardiology.

McCue
Carolyn Moore McCue, M.D., School of Medicine Class of 1941

Dr. McCue (1916-1999) was one of the few women cardiologists of her time and a pioneer in the field of pediatric cardiology. She practiced at the Medical College of Virginia (now VCU Health) for 42 years and was the first woman elected president of the 187-year-old Richmond Academy of Medicine. Most importantly, Dr. McCue created and chaired MCV’s Pediatric Cardiology Division for 20 years, during which she was also instrumental in establishing pediatric cardiology clinics in medically underserved communities throughout Virginia.

The award honoring her was established in 2008 and is being awarded in 2022 for the first time since 2009. The award carries a monetary prize of $7,500 and is presented at the Heart Health in Women Symposium, held virtually this year.

If you would like to support heart health at the VCU Health Pauley Heart Center, please contact Carrie Mills, senior director of development, at carrie.r.mills@vcuhealth.org or 804-828-0423.

SPECIAL NOTE: NOMINATIONS OPEN FOR 2023 MCCUE AWARD

Nominations for the 2023 Dr. Carolyn McCue Award for Woman Cardiologist of the Year will be accepted until April 15, 2022 via online application. Presentation of the Award and a monetary prize of $7,500 will be made at next year’s Heart Health in Women Symposium in Richmond in February. The awardee will also be asked to give a 30-minute scientific presentation at the Symposium.