Dr. Daniel Kelly, Director of the Cardiovascular Institutes at CHOP and
<a href="https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:orbhl4t2zq2lxn3uyrm7i65m" class="hover:underline text-blue-600 dark:text-sky-400 no-card-link" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-link="bsky-mention">@pennmedicine.bsky.social, received the 2025 Distinguished Scientist Award from the @American_Heart. His groundbreaking work in cardiovascular and metabolic diseases continues to inspire.
Daniel P. Kelly Honored as Distinguished Scientist by the American Heart Association
Daniel P. Kelly, MD, CHOP's Cardiovascular Institute Director, won AHA's 2025 Distinguished Scientist Award for cardiovascular research. Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) is pleased to announce that Daniel P. Kelly, MD, Director of the Cardiovascular Institutes at CHOP and the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania and a renowned researcher in the field of cardiovascular and metabolic diseases, was presented with the prestigious 2025 Distinguished Scientist Award by the American Heart Association (AHA) at the organization’s Scientific Sessions in New Orleans on Saturday, November 8th. The AHA’s Distinguished Scientist award, established in 2003, celebrates members who have made extraordinary contributions to research in cardiovascular, stroke, and brain health.“I am deeply honored to receive the 2025 Distinguished Scientist award," said Kelly. “Support from the AHA was crucial in launching my research, allowing me to make meaningful contributions to pediatric heart health by fostering connections with fellow scientists and collaborators.”Kelly's research journey began with a focus on rare genetic metabolic disorders that lead to cardiomyopathy and sudden death in children. This evolved into a broader mission to uncover the metabolic roots of heart disease. Among his groundbreaking work, Kelly identified genetic causes affecting mitochondrial fat metabolism, which led to practical newborn screening tests.His research has transitioned from fundamental discoveries to developing new therapies that address metabolic imbalances in heart failure. One of these therapies progressed to human clinical trials, marking a significant milestone in potential heart disease treatments.Kelly has received numerous accolades throughout his career. He is a member of the American Society for Clinical Investigation and the Association of American Physicians, where he served as President in 2022. His previous honors from the AHA include the 1995 Established Investigator Award, the 2008 Basic Cardiovascular Science Council Distinguished Achievement Award, and the 2009 Basic Research Prize.