Dr. Fogarty receives the National Medal of Technology and Innovation from President Obama during a ceremony at the White House.
One of the most decorated cardiovascular surgeons and innovators of all time, Dr. Fogarty received one of the highest honors when he was awarded the Presidential National Medal of Technology and Innovation. The award is granted by the President of the United States to American inventors and innovators for achievement and leadership in advancing the fields of science and technology. Dr. Fogarty received the award during a ceremony at the White House.
“The Presidential National Medal of Technology and Innovation award is the highest honor the United States can give to a U.S. citizen for advancing technology, and we can’t think of a more deserving individual than Dr. Fogarty,” said Dr. Thomas Krummel, chairman of the board for the Fogarty Institute for Innovation.
“Dr. Fogarty has not only spent his entire adult life searching for ‘a better way’ to help improve patients’ lives through his inventions, but has also provided invaluable mentorship, guidance and support to the future generations of medical innovators,” added Krummel.
The National Medal of Technology and Innovation was created in 1980 by the United States Congress to foster technological innovation and U.S. competitiveness in the international arena. The first medals were awarded by President Ronald Reagan. Past recipients include renowned technology giants such as Steve Jobs, Stephen Wozniak, Robert Noyce, the DuPont Company and Gordon Moore, among others.
Dr. Fogarty is best known for inventing the embolectomy catheter, more commonly referred to as the balloon catheter, more than 50 years ago. The balloon catheter became the industry standard to remove blood clots and is used in more than 300,000 procedures worldwide per year. It is estimated to have saved the lives and limbs of more than 20 million patients. In addition to being a named inventor on over 165 surgical instrument patents, Dr. Fogarty also founded the Fogarty Institute for Innovation to foster medical technology innovation.