McCue Award to honor Mayo Clinic cardiologist

Sharonne Hayes, M.D., will be recognized for her work in diversity, equity and inclusion

The 2022 Dr. Carolyn McCue Award for Woman Cardiologist of the Year will be awarded to Sharonne Hayes, M.D., cardiologist and professor of cardiovascular medicine at the Mayo Clinic.

Hayes’ mentorship, career development of women, advancement of women in science, development of a multidisciplinary women’s cardiovascular program, success in bringing sex- and gender-based cardiology to the forefront, development of a multi-disciplinary Women’s Cardiovascular Clinic, orchestration and support of Women Heart, pioneering work in Spontaneous Coronary Artery Dissection (SCAD) and bringing the disease process to awareness, and more recently her work in diversity, equity, bias, and inclusion stood her apart.

The McCue Award program is made possible by a gift from the McCue family and honors the late Carolyn Moore McCue, M.D., a national pioneer in pediatric cardiology. McCue (1916-1999) practiced at the Medical College of Virginia (now VCU Health) for 42 years and was the first woman elected president of the Richmond Academy of Medicine. She created and chaired MCV’s Pediatric Cardiology Division for 20 years, during which time she was instrumental in establishing pediatric cardiology clinics in medically underserved communities throughout Virginia.

The award is given to a woman cardiologist who is recognized nationally and/or internationally for important contributions to the general field of adult or pediatric cardiology through clinical care, research, teaching and mentoring.

“We are delighted to welcome Dr. Hayes as the McCue Award winner,” said Jordana Kron, M.D. “She is a pioneer in women’s health, diversity and inclusion. She is a visionary who is leading health care into the future.”

Presentation of the award and a monetary prize of $7,500 will be made at the seventh annual VCU Health Pauley Heart Center Heart Health in Women Symposium in Richmond in February 2022.

Hayes will give the keynote presentation, “Climate Change: Addressing Biases and Other Barriers to Optimal Cardiovascular Care for Women.” She will also meet with faculty, house staff, fellows and residents at a luncheon prior to the symposium. Meeting with an influential role model and mentor can be inspiring and career-defining to young health care providers at different stages in their careers.