Media Release
Mangaluru, Mar 10: Dr Michelle Maya Kittleson (nee' Pinto) has been honored with the prestigious 2025 Distinguished Teacher Award by the American College of Cardiology (ACC). A distinguished cardiologist and educator, Dr Kittleson serves as a professor of Medicine at Cedars-Sinai and is the director of Education in Heart Failure and Transplantation at the Smidt Heart Institute. She completed her medical degree at Yale University, followed by residency training at Brigham and Women's Hospital and a cardiology fellowship at Johns Hopkins, where she also earned a PhD in Clinical Investigation.
Dr Kittleson has made significant contributions to cardiovascular research and education. She has served on writing committees for the ACC/AHA hypertrophic cardiomyopathy guidelines and the ACC/AHA/HFSA heart failure guidelines. She is also the interim editor-in-chief of the Journal of Heart and Lung Transplantation and serves on the board of directors for the Heart Failure Society of America. She holds key positions at Cedars-Sinai, including co-course director for Smidt Heart Institute Cardiology Grand Rounds and co-chair of the Cedars-Sinai Medical Group Peer Review and Credentialing Committee.
The ACC’s 2025 Distinguished Teacher Award is a recognition of individuals who have made outstanding contributions to cardiovascular medicine through exceptional teaching at both national and international levels. The award is a remarkable honor, distinguishing Dr Kittleson from thousands of cardiologists worldwide. The ACC has announced the recipients of its 2025 Distinguished Awards, recognizing them as pioneers in advancing cardiovascular science and education. The awardees will be formally honoured at ACC.25 in Chicago, Illinois.
Dr Kittleson has actively engaged with the medical community through publications and social media. She created #kittlesonrules on Twitter, a widely followed collection of tips aimed at improving patient care, medical education, and professional communication. Her insights have earned a strong following of over 30,000 professionals. Additionally, her best-selling book, 'Mastering the Art of Patient Care,' has gained immense popularity among healthcare professionals and the general public alike.
Dr Kittleson’s parents, Dr Marguerite Monteiro and Dr Edward Pinto, hail from prominent medical backgrounds. Her mother is the daughter of Dr Louis Monteiro, the first dean of St John's Medical College, Bengaluru, originally from Goa. Her father, Dr Edward Pinto, is a renowned cardiologist from Mangaluru. Both parents, of Konkani Indian origin, have made significant contributions to the field of medicine.
The American College of Cardiology, founded in 1949 by 13 pioneering cardiologists, has grown into a global leader in cardiovascular care, uniting more than 56,000 members worldwide. The ACC is celebrating its 75th anniversary in 2024, culminating in a grand gala on March 28, at ACC.25 in Chicago. As the medical landscape continues to evolve, the ACC remains committed to advancing cardiovascular education, clinical guidelines, and global healthcare innovations.
With a mission to transform cardiovascular care, the ACC has announced its new five-year strategic plan, emphasizing teamwork, professionalism, diversity, innovation, and patient-centered care. The college continues to lead major initiatives in clinical guidance, digital transformation, and global education, ensuring that the future of cardiovascular medicine remains strong and progressive.
Among the other distinguished recipients of ACC’s 2025 awards are Malissa J Wood for the Bernadine Healy Leadership in Women’s Cardiovascular disease, Craig J Beavers as the distinguished cardiovascular team member, Biykem Bozkurt as the distinguished fellow, Eric N Prystowsky as the distinguished mentor, Jane E Freedman for distinguished scientist (Basic Domain), and James L Januzzi Jr for distinguished scientist (Clinical Domain). The list of honourees also includes Bonnie Ky for distinguished scientist (Translational Domain), Keith C Ferdinand for distinguished service, Brittany Weber as the Douglas P Zipes distinguished young scientist, and Dinesh Kalra as the gifted educator.
Dr Michelle Kittleson’s recognition as the distinguished teacher stands as a testament to her immense contributions to cardiovascular education and patient care. Her achievements continue to inspire young professionals and elevate the standards of medical education globally.