Dr Anna Hemnes to be PVRI President 2024 as new Advisory Council established

Following a successful Presidency in the hands of Dr Kurt Stenmark, we are very proud to welcome Dr Anna Hemnes as our new President from the 3 February 2024. 

As a translational physician-scientist with a research focus on the role of altered metabolism in pulmonary vascular disease, Dr Hemnes is hugely respected by members of the global pulmonary hypertension community and by members of our charity. She has been a Trustee for several years, and since 2021 has acted as Joint Editor in Chief of Pulmonary Circulation – our international, peer-reviewed medical research journal. 

"It is with immense gratitude and enthusiasm that I take on this role as President of the PVRI. Having been a member for the past decade, I am genuinely thrilled to now have the opportunity to guide this exceptional organisation in its mission."

Dr Hemnes

Passing the baton to Anna is our current President, Dr Kurt Stenmark. During his Presidency, Dr Stenmark opened our first post-Covid Drug Discovery and Development Symposium in Bethesda this summer and is leading our 2024 Annual Congress in London. Both events have brought in professionals from outside the traditional realm of pulmonary hypertension, bringing new perspectives and new voices. 

"Dr Stenmark’s dedication and contributions as President have been instrumental in our ongoing success. On behalf of the PVRI staff team and Board, I would like to thank him for his time and commitment, and the progress he’s made in taking PVRI to new heights.

Looking forward, we’re pleased to announce the formation of a new Scientific and Medical Advisory Council, which will help shape our work and thinking on pulmonary hypertension. It’s an exciting time for PVRI as we increase our operational and strategic capacity, which will enable us to respond more nimbly to issues faced by our members. We’re deeply excited to head into a new year with not only Dr Hemnes as President but also the initial members of our Scientific and Medical Advisory Council in their new roles." 

Karen Osborn, PVRI CEO

The Advisory Council will bring together early career colleagues and renowned senior clinicians and scientists. We are thrilled to announce the initial group of Advisory Council members: Brad Maron, Jason Weatherald, Laura Oppegard, Catherine Simpson, Jane Leopold, Grazyna Kwapiszewska, Roham Zamanian, Ardi Ghofrani and Khodr Tello. 

The introduction of this influential Council brings us a step closer to our goal of reducing the global burden of pulmonary vascular disease. It will allow our Board, staff team, Task Forces and Workstreams to receive expert clinical and scientific guidance when they need it most. 

There is scope for the group to expand as the initial members propose new members to widen participation and increase PVRI’s diversity and accessibility. Dr Hemnes and another PVRI Trustee will also sit on the Council to facilitate strong collaboration between the Council and the Board. 

We hope you can attend the Gala Dinner at our Annual Congress in London, 2 February 2024, to join us in congratulating Dr Hemnes and welcoming the initial members of our Scientific and Medical Advisory Group into their new role.