In honor of the late Ralph L Sacco, MD, the American Academy of Neurology (AAN) and the American Heart Association (AHA) are jointly funding a brain health scholarship program to support early career trainees focused on brain health.
The Ralph L. Sacco Scholarships in Brain Health, also known as the Sacco Scholars program, are made possible by a generous bequest to the AAN and AHA from Sacco ― the only neurologist to have served as president of both the AAN and the AHA.
Sacco passed away on January 17, 2023, at the age of 65, from a brain tumor, as reported by theheart.org | Medscape Cardiology.
"It is fitting that Dr Sacco planned to continue to support trainees through his generous bequest," Mitchell S. V. Elkind, MD, AHA chief clinical science officer, said in a news release announcing the brain health scholarships.
"He was a mentor to me and so many other neurologists during his career. A pioneer in the field, his legacy will live on through these Sacco Scholars, not only through their research but also through the scientific ripples they leave over the course of their careers, just as he did," said Elkind.
The AHA is "honored to collaborate with the AAN in support of these brain health scholarships in his memory," Elkind added.
