Enduring Hearts – the national nonprofit dedicated to funding research to improve life for children with transplanted hearts – held its 9th Annual Bourbon Gala at the Intercontinental Hotel Buckhead. There, the organization presented the Enduring Hearts Dedication Award to Dr. Robert J. Boucek, Jr., who the organization says is a champion in the pediatric heart transplant community as a teacher, clinician, researcher, and advocate. After a fellowship in cardiology and biochemistry at Vanderbilt University, he ultimately led the university’s rapidly growing transplant program as medical director. His career and accomplishments have taken him from Florida to Seattle and eventually to Enduring Hearts where he chaired the Scientific Advisory Committee for five years.

The 2024 dedication was sponsored by Atlanta-based Vero Biotech, a life sciences company centered around the development of innovative, hospital-focused solutions.

“The purpose of our innovation is to save lives, alleviate suffering and improve the health economics of care” stated Brent Furse, CEO of Vero Biotech. “As such, we are honored to partner with Enduring Hearts, which has the same mission for children living with transplanted hearts—to save lives, alleviate suffering, and improve the health economics of care. We know first-hand the importance of investing in innovative research, and the difference it makes to patient lives and well-being.”