Howard becomes first non-physician to receive prestigious award

Howard is a co-principal investigator (co-PI) for the REasons for Geographic and Racial Differences in Stroke (REGARDS) study.

geroge_howard_sGeorge Howard, Dr.P.H., professor in the University of Alabama at Birmingham Department of Biostatistics, has been awarded the Mayo Clinic Daniel C. Gainey Named Visiting Professorship in Stroke and Related Diseases for 2013. The Gainey Award committee unanimously endorsed Howard’s nomination.

Howard is a co-principal investigator (co-PI) for the REasons for Geographic and Racial Differences in Stroke (REGARDS) study, a national study of a cohort of approximately 30,000 individuals to provide insights to the excess stroke mortality among African-Americans and the Stroke Belt. In addition, he is the co-PI for statistical management of the Carotid Revascularization Endarterectomy vs. Stenting Trial (CREST) and CREST-2 randomized trials assessing approaches for revascularization of the carotid artery.

Howard received his award and presented his lecture at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn., on Sept. 9, 2013. His lecture included data and insights from the REGARDS study, with an emphasis on the role of blood pressure as a contributor to the black/white disparities in stroke risk, as well as the role of diet in the higher stroke risk in the Stroke Belt.