Figure. George J. Reul, MD
Ray C. Fish (1902–1962) was a leading figure in Houston's natural gas industry and a philanthropist. He believed in the American dream of “opportunity for success.” The Ray C. Fish Foundation was established so that others might be encouraged to broaden man's self-knowledge and to keep the American dream alive. After its founder's death from heart disease, the Fish Foundation granted $5 million to make the Texas Heart Institute a reality. For this reason, the Institute's highest professional award is given in honor of this extraordinary man. The award recognizes those whose innovations have made significant contributions to cardiovascular medicine and surgery.
The first Texas Heart Institute Medal and Ray C. Fish Award for Scientific Achievement in Cardiovascular Diseases were presented in 1972 to Dr. Norman Shumway. Since 1972, 32 other highly deserving recipients have been so honored by the Institute. The complete Roll of Recipients appears on the next page.
George J. Reul, MD
The 2012 Fish Award recipient is George J. Reul, for his outstanding contributions to cardiac and vascular surgery. Dr. Reul is the Associate Chief of Surgery at the Texas Heart Institute and, since 1981, has been Director of the Peripheral Vascular Laboratory at St. Luke's Episcopal Hospital. This is an accredited vascular lab that he himself developed. Dr. Reul “continues to be our leader in quality measures,” according to Dr. James T. Willerson, who introduced the recipient.
Dr. Reul has held a clinical professorship at the University of Texas Medical School at Houston, Department of Surgery, Division of Thoracic Surgery, since 1987, and a clinical associate professorship during the decade before that. He has also held a clinical professorship at Baylor College of Medicine, Department of Surgery, since 1994, and held prior appointments there as assistant professor and instructor.
George Reul received the Doctor of Medicine degree from Marquette School of Medicine, Milwaukee, in 1962, following a BS degree from Marquette University in 1958. He did his medical internship at the University of Chicago Clinics, from July 1962 to June 1963. His general surgery residency was performed at the Marquette School of Medicine Affiliated Hospitals from July 1963 to March 1966; and in 1966, he received the Master of Science degree from Marquette School of Medicine. In 1985, Dr. Reul was Honorary Consulting Professor of Thoracic Surgery at Shanghai Second Medical College, China. He is certified by the American Board of Vascular Surgery, the American Board of Thoracic Surgery, and the American Board of Surgery.
TABLE. ROLL OF RECIPIENTS of the Texas Heart Institute Medal and the Ray C. Fish Award for Scientific Achievement in Cardiovascular Diseases
