August University of Galway Professor receives prestigious European Society of Cardiology President’s Award

Professor David Allan Wood honoured for lifetime contribution to cardiovascular prevention as ESC marks 30 years of EUROASPIRE

Professor David Allan Wood, Honorary Professor of Preventive Cardiology at University of Galway and Director of Science, Strategy and Implementation at the National Institute for Prevention and Cardiovascular Health (NIPC), has received the prestigious European Society of Cardiology (ESC) President’s Award.

Professor Wood received the award from ESC President Professor Thomas F. Lüscher during the Opening Ceremony of ESC Congress 2026 in Munich on Friday, 28 August.

The award recognises Professor Wood’s exceptional contribution to cardiovascular medicine and a career spanning more than three decades dedicated to advancing cardiovascular disease prevention through research, clinical guidelines, education, policy and implementation.

The recognition is particularly timely as ESC Congress 2026 also marks the 30th anniversary of EUROASPIRE, the landmark European programme initiated by Professor Wood to evaluate how effectively evidence-based cardiovascular prevention is implemented in everyday clinical practice.

Successive EUROASPIRE surveys have provided a unique picture of cardiovascular prevention and risk-factor management across Europe. The latest programme spans 27 European countries, generating contemporary evidence on the implementation of prevention and rehabilitation in patients with cardiovascular disease.

A pioneer of preventive cardiology

Professor Wood has contributed to international cardiovascular prevention policy and guidelines since the first ESC guideline on the prevention of coronary heart disease in 1994, with leadership roles across the European Society of Cardiology, World Heart Federation and World Health Organization.

He was founder and President of the European Association for Cardiovascular Prevention and Rehabilitation, served on the ESC Board and as Secretary/Treasurer, and subsequently became President of the World Heart Federation. He also founded the European Journal of Cardiovascular Prevention and Rehabilitation and served as its first Joint Editor-in-Chief.

From Imperial College London to Galway

The National Institute for Prevention and Cardiovascular Health (NIPC) was co-founded by University of Galway and Croí Heart & Stroke Charity in 2014 to build dedicated expertise in cardiovascular prevention.

Professor Wood subsequently moved his cardiovascular prevention research group from Imperial College London to NIPC at University of Galway, bringing an established international research programme and network.

Today, his primary research leadership role is as Director of Science, Strategy and Implementation at NIPC, alongside his appointment as Honorary Professor of Preventive Cardiology at University of Galway. He remains Emeritus Professor of Cardiology at the National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London.

Among his most significant contributions is the establishment of EUROASPIRE, the first European registry programme focused on cardiovascular prevention and implementation of prevention guidelines in clinical practice. Thirty years later, the programme continues through NIPC, with the latest results being presented at ESC Congress 2026.

Professor Wood also led the EUROACTION trials, evaluating nurse-led multidisciplinary approaches to primary and secondary cardiovascular prevention across Europe.

Professor David Wood said: “It is an enormous honour to receive the President’s Award from the European Society of Cardiology, and particularly meaningful to receive it as we celebrate 30 years of EUROASPIRE. When we began EUROASPIRE, our aim was simple: to understand whether the evidence and guidelines we were developing for cardiovascular prevention were reaching patients in everyday clinical practice. Three decades later, that question remains as important as ever. EUROASPIRE has become an extraordinary European collaboration, and I regard this award as recognition of all those who have contributed to that work across the ESC, NIPC, University of Galway, Imperial College London and our many partner centres across Europe.”

Dr Sandra Ganly, Chief Executive Officer of NIPC, said:  “Professor Wood’s contribution to cardiovascular prevention has been exceptional. Through EUROASPIRE and three decades of influential publications, his work has exposed the gap between guidelines and practice, shaped European prevention policy and improved cardiovascular care. His decision to bring his research programme to NIPC at University of Galway was pivotal for cardiovascular prevention research in Ireland, and we are privileged to build on his scientific leadership and international legacy. The ESC President’s Award is richly deserved recognition of an extraordinary career and a proud moment for Professor Wood, NIPC, Croí and University of Galway.”

President David Burn, University of Galway, said: “On behalf of our research community at University of Galway, I congratulate Professor Wood on this honour. His work, his endeavours and his leadership on preventive cardiology and patient care has made a truly remarkable difference to huge numbers of people worldwide. We are proud to have created a home for that vision, alongside Croí, through the National Institute for Prevention and Cardiovascular Health and we look forward to the next generation of clinical and research excellence driven by the innovative outlook of Professor Wood and his team.”

Professor Fidelma Dunne, Director of the Institute for Clinical Trials at University of Galway, said: “Professor Wood’s career is an outstanding example of how rigorous research can shape clinical practice and improve health outcomes at scale. His work through EUROASPIRE has generated invaluable evidence about the implementation of cardiovascular prevention in real-world settings, while also demonstrating the importance of international collaboration in translating research into meaningful change for patients. His leadership has made a lasting contribution to preventive cardiology and provides an important model for how research excellence can drive better healthcare.”

 Professor Wood’s award comes during a significant ESC Congress for NIPC at University of Galway, with the latest results from NIPC-led cardiovascular prevention research also being presented in Munich.

The award adds to previous honours for Professor Wood, including a Platinum Clinical Excellence Award for services to the NHS, the Mackenzie Medal from the British Cardiovascular Society, and the European Association for Preventive Cardiology Medal. 

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