Ray C. Fish (1902-1962) was a leading figure in the natural gas industry and a philanthropist. Mr. Fish 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.

Dr.  David A. Ott (right) receiving 2016 Ray C. Fish Award for Scientific Achievement from Dr. James T. Willerson.

1972	Norman E. Shumway, MD Cardiovascular Surgeon	Pioneered the heart transplant operation
1973	F. Mason Sones, Jr., MD Cardiologist	Developed coronary angiography
1974	Eugene E. Braunwald, MD Cardiologist	Developed techniques for myocardial preservation
1975	Willem J. Kolff, MD Cardiovascular Surgeon and Researcher	Known for his work in developing artificial organs
1976	Harvey Feigenbaum, MD Cardiologist	Developed echocardiography
1977	John W. Kirklin, MD Cardiovascular Surgeon	Fabricated and used one of the first heart-lung machines for open intracardiac repairs
1978	Bernard Lown, MD Cardiologist	Pioneered the use of devices, including the defibrillator and cardioverter, to regulate cardiac rhythm disturbances
1979	John J. Gallagher, MD Cardiologist	Worked with Dr. Will Sealy to develop methods to correct Wolff-Parkinson-White (pre-excitation) syndrome
1979	Will C. Sealy, MD Cardiovascular Surgeon	Performed the first successful surgery for Wolff-Parkinson-White (pre-excitation) syndrome
1980	W. Proctor Harvey, MD Cardiologist	Renowned for his ability to diagnose and treat heart disease and for his ability to teach
1981	Paul M. Zoll, MD Cardiologist	Made discoveries that led to the development of pacemakers
1983	Andreas R. Gr�ntzig, MD Cardiologist	Developed percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA)
1984	Hein J.J. Wellens, MD Cardiologist	Developed reproducible methods for studying cardiac rhythm disturbances and the effects of various therapies on arrhythmias
1984	Douglas P. Zipes, MD Cardiologist	Renowned for treating cardiac arrhythmias, including sudden cardiac death
1985	Denton A. Cooley, MD Cardiovascular Surgeon	Pioneered numerous surgical treatments for heart disease, including implantation of a total artificial heart, heart transplantation, repair of left ventricular and aortic aneurysms, and palliation of congenital heart disease
1986	William J. Rashkind, MD Pediatric Cardiologist	Developed a nonsurgical method to treat transposed heart vessels in infants
1987	Dwight E. Harken, MD Cardiovascular Surgeon	Performed the first successful intracardiac surgical procedures
1988	J. Willis Hurst, MD Cardiologist	Edited and contributed to The Heart, a widely used cardiology text
1989	Robert J. Hall, MD Cardiologist	Known for his ability to teach the diagnosis and treatment of cardiovascular disease
1990	Sol Sherry, MD Cardiologist	Pioneered the use of thrombolytic therapy to treat blood clots
1992	Arthur S. Keats, MD Cardiovascular Anesthesiologist	Developed methods to make heart surgery safer for children and adults
1997	Aldo R. Casta�eda, MD, PhD Pediatric Cardiovascular Surgeon	Advocated early (neonatal) repair of complex congenital heart defects
1997	Julio C. Palmaz, MD Radiologist	Invented the first successful intravascular stent
1998	Sir Magdi Yacoub, FRCS Cardiovascular Surgeon	Pioneered heart–lung transplantation surgery
1999	Thomas J. Fogarty, MD Cardiovascular Surgeon	Developed numerous medical and surgical devices for treating cardiovascular diseases
2004	James L. Cox, MD Cardiovascular Surgeon	Developed surgical techniques to definitively treat atrial fibrillation
2004	Stephen Westaby, BSc, MS, PhD, FRCS Cardiovascular Surgeon	Initiated first clinical trial of axial-flow devices for destination therapy and made significant contributions to the scientific literature based on his extensive surgical experience.
2007	Charles E. Mullins, MD Pediatric Cardiologist	Known for his dedication to teaching and his pioneering work in developing interventional techniques for treating congenital heart.
2008	O.H. Frazier, MD Cardiovascular Surgeon	Recognized for his contributions to the field of heart transplantation and his pioneering efforts in the research and development of the LVAD.
2009	James T. Willerson, MD Cardiologist	Honored in recognition of his contributions to the understanding of the development and identification of unstable atherosclerotic plaques, the mechanisms responsible for acute coronary syndromes, and for his seminal work with cardiac stem cells.
2010	Charles D. Fraser, Jr., MD Pediatric Cardiovascular Surgeon	Recognized for his program known worldwide for its excellence, its creativity and its ideal outcomes in correcting congenital cardiovascular disease in children.
2011	Patrick W. Serruys, MD, PhD Interventional Cardiologist	Recognized worldwide for major contributions to interventional cardiology and for the development of a drug-eluting stent.
2012	George J. Reul, MD  Cardiovascular Surgeon	Recognized for his long and meritorious career as both a surgeon and a medical educator.
2013	Alain G. Cribier, MD	Recognized for his outstanding contributions to interventional cardiology.
2014	Sir Terence English, KBE	Recognized for establishing the internationally renowned heart transplant program at Papworth Hospital near Cambridge, where he performed Britain's first successful heart transplant in 1979.
2016	Delos (Toby) Cosgrove, MD	Recognized for scientific achievements, contributions to healthcare quality and delivery.
2016	David A. Ott, MD	Recognized for significant contributions to cardiovascular surgery.