Photo by Lee Pellegrini
Connell School of Nursing Professor and Associate Dean for Research Christopher S. Lee, a cardiovascular nurse scientist, will be honored this fall by the American Heart Association in recognition of his mentoring of early-career scientists.
Lee is the recipient of the 2021 Kathleen A. Dracup Distinguish Lecture and Exemplary Career in Mentoring Award, sponsored by the American Heart Association’s Council on Cardiovascular and Stroke Nursing. He will be presented with the award at the American Heart Association Scientific Sessions in Boston in November, where he will deliver a lecture: “Coach, Colleague, Counsel, Friend: A New Era of Scientific Mentoring.”
Lee, who joined the Connell School in 2018, was nominated for the award by several nurse scientists he has mentored.
“I am humbled and honored,” said Lee, who helped to establish the award eight years ago in honor of the world renowned cardiovascular nurse scientist Kathleen Dracup. “Although I have been fortunate enough to receive many honors from the American Heart Association, this one is the most important to me because of the focus on early-career mentoring.”
Lee has mentored a number of researchers who have subsequently secured NIH National Research Service Awards, Research Career Development Awards, and Research Project Grants.
“I was thrilled, but not surprised, to learn that Dr. Christopher Lee was awarded the Dracup Distinguished Lecture and Exemplary Career in Mentoring Award," said CSON Dean Katherine Gregory. "Dr. Lee has made an impact in the field of nursing not only as a scientist who has developed new knowledge to guide the care of patients with heart failure, but also as a mentor, training the next generation of scientists who will improve human health. I extend my congratulations to Dr. Lee!”
A fellow of the American Heart Association, the Heart Failure Society of America, and the American Academy of Nursing, Lee has dedicated his career to improving outcomes for patients with heart disease. He has published more than 150 papers.
His research—which has been supported by National Institutes of Health and other funders—has focused on heart failure self-care and symptom science, and patient and care-partner dyadic relationships in chronic conditions.
He also serves on the National Advisory Council for Nursing Research, which makes recommendations to the U.S Secretary of Health and Human Services and to the director of the National Institute for Nursing Research regarding NINR-related activities and policy matters.
Lee has been the recipient of several honors, including the Mathy Mezey Excellence in Aging Award, Martha N. Hill New Investigator Award, Marie Cowan Promising Young Investigator Award, and the Heart Failure Society of America Nursing Leadership Award.
Kathleen Sullivan | University Communications | August 2021