The ISHLT Amanda W. Rowe Distinguished Service Award was created by the Board of Directors in 2020 and inaugurated with the presentation of the first award to long term Executive Director Amanda Rowe at the ISHLT 2021 Annual Meeting and Scientific Sessions.
The ISHLT Amanda W. Rowe Distinguished Service Award is focused on non-scientific contributions to ISHLT as an organization, distinguishing it from the ISHLT Lifetime Achievement Award, which, beginning in 2020, is focused on lifetime contributions to the advancement of care and treatment of patients with advanced heart and lung disease and not on service to ISHLT.
The ISHLT Amanda W. Rowe Distinguished Service Award may be bestowed by the Board of Directors on an individual or organization for sustained, significant and outstanding service to ISHLT and the advancement of its mission. The Society recognizes that service comes in many forms, and this award expresses the Society's appreciation of distinctive contributions, including:
- Significant contributions to the society through volunteer leadership, including serving in elected or appointed roles for the society over time.
- Significant contributions to the growth, sustainability and operations of the society, including professional services and financial contributions rendered to ISHLT.
- Significant contributions to the advancement of the ISHLT mission, including advocacy on behalf of ISHLT, on behalf of ISHLT professional members, or advocating on behalf of patients.
2021 Recipient - Amanda W. Rowe
The inaugural Amanda W. Rowe Distinguished Service Award was given to its namesake, Amanda W. Rowe.
Amanda presided over the Society as ISHLT Executive Director for 27 years before retiring in 2020. Under her leadership, the Society grew from a few hundred members to a global voice for the field, with nearly 4,000 members in 45 countries.
At the ISHLT2021 closing plenary, Rowe was honored by Stuart Sweet, MD, ISHLT Immediate Past President. “Under Amanda’s leadership,” Dr. Sweet said, “ISHLT grew to become the world’s premier scientific professional and educational organization for heart and lung transplantation and mechanical circulatory support.”
“It’s been an amazing job for 28 years, an amazing career, with unforgettable memories, a lot of hard work, and also—so much fun, and so many wonderful people,” Rowe said as she received the award. “I’ll never forget ISHLT.”
Dr. Sweet also shared that with the creation of the ISHLT Amanda W. Rowe Distinguished Service Award, the ISHLT Board of Directors hoped to create an award that embodies Amanda’s extraordinary service. Going forward, the Award will be given to individuals or organizations for sustained, significant, and outstanding service to ISHLT.
Watch a quick video honoring Amanda Rowe on the ISHLT YouTube channel.