January 7, 2025 – Recognized nationally for her leadership and service to the field of cardiovascular disease in women, Dr. Malissa Wood, vice president and chief physician executive for the Lee Health Heart Institute, has been named the winner of the prestigious 2025 Bernadine Healy Leadership in Women’s Cardiovascular Disease Award from the American College of Cardiology (ACC).
The award, which has been given out since 2015, was created to honor the work and memory of Dr. Bernadine Healy, the first woman to direct the National Institutes of Health and the first physician to lead the American Red Cross.
Nominators are required to provide letters of support outlining the candidate’s qualifications and accomplishments in women’s cardiovascular disease research, teaching and practice.
Dr. Wood joined Lee Health in 2023. She has been instrumental in expanding the cardiology service line across both acute and ambulatory care settings. Under her leadership, the Lee Health Heart Institute has reinforced its status as the premier center for cardiovascular care in Southwest Florida.
“This is an extremely high honor and really speaks to Dr. Wood’s commitment to improving cardiovascular disease in women,” said Lee Health’s chief medical officer Dr. Iahn Gonsenhauser. “Dr. Wood‘s dedication to innovation, research and high-quality patient care continues to benefit the Southwest Florida community and surrounding areas. Over 60 million women in the United States are living with some form of heart disease and it can affect women at any age. I’m proud to see Dr. Wood recognized for all she does for our region and the cardiovascular field at a national level. Her impact in the field will help save lives and this award is a testament to her commitment to good heart health for all.”
Dr. Wood joined Lee Health after a tenure at Massachusetts General Hospital, where she served as Associate Chief of Cardiology and co-director of the Corrigan Women’s Heart Health Program. She also held the Cathy E. Minehan Chair for Cardiovascular Disease in Women and was an associate professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School.
Dr. Wood received her Doctorate of Medicine from the University of Missouri Kansas City, and she completed both her Internal Medicine and Cardiology training at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center/Harvard Medical School, where she served as chief medical resident.
Her research endeavors focus on the cardiovascular health of athletes and high-risk populations. Dr. Wood has also been an instrumental part of the Happy Heart Trial, a study aimed at enhancing the heart health of low-income women. Additionally, she has worked with the U.S. Olympic Committee and elite athletes from Harvard University.
Dr. Wood also received the prestigious 2023 Wenger Award for Excellence in Medical Leadership for her dedication to women’s heart health and served as Chairman of the Board of Governors and Secretary of the American College of Cardiology.
The ACC offers distinguished awards to recognize individuals who make outstanding contributions to the cardiovascular profession. Dr. Wood will accept the Bernadine Healy Leadership in Women’s Cardiovascular Disease award during the ACC’s Annual Scientific Session (ACC.25) in Chicago on March 31. For more information, please visit https://www.acc.org.
About Lee Health
Since the opening of the first hospital in 1916, Lee Health has been a health care leader in Southwest Florida, constantly evolving to meet the needs of the community. A non-profit, integrated health care services organization, Lee Health is committed to the well-being of every individual served, focused on healthy living and maintaining good health. Health care services are conveniently located throughout the community in four acute care hospitals, two specialty hospitals, outpatient centers, walk-in medical centers, primary care and specialty physician practices and other services across the continuum of care. Learn more at www.LeeHealth.org.