Judith S. Hochman, M.D., FAHA, a distinguished figure in cardiology and clinical research, has been named the recipient of the 2025 Research Achievement Award by the American Heart Association (AHA). This prestigious recognition will be bestowed upon her during the opening session of the AHA Scientific Sessions 2025, a flagship event that convenes leading experts to discuss cutting-edge advancements in cardiovascular science. Dr. Hochman currently serves as senior associate dean for clinical sciences and is the founding director of the Cardiovascular Clinical Research Center at NYU Grossman School of Medicine.
Dr. Hochman’s career exemplifies a commitment to transforming cardiovascular care through rigorous scientific inquiry. As founding co-director of the NYU Langone Health Clinical and Translational Science Institute and Harold Snyder Family Professor of Cardiology, she has spearheaded pivotal international clinical trials that have reshaped global cardiology practice guidelines. Her involvement in National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI)-funded studies underscores her role in bridging experimental research findings to tangible therapeutic strategies.
Among her landmark contributions is the Occluded Artery Trial (OAT), which challenged prevailing assumptions about late reperfusion in post-myocardial infarction patients. Building upon preclinical studies demonstrating favorable left ventricular remodeling in rodent models, OAT tested whether late angioplasty conveyed clinical benefits in stable post-infarct patients. Contrary to expectations set by animal data, the trial conclusively showed no significant improvement in outcomes, providing critical evidence against routine late invasive procedures and reshaping clinical decision-making on this front.
The SHOCK Trial represents another cornerstone of Dr. Hochman’s research portfolio. Focused on patients experiencing cardiogenic shock following acute myocardial infarction, this trial rigorously evaluated the survival advantage of emergent revascularization strategies versus conventional medical management. The results were definitive: early revascularization yielded a substantial 13-percentage-point reduction in mortality at one year and in long-term follow-up, transforming the treatment paradigm for this critically ill patient population and increasing adoption of aggressive intervention in clinical settings worldwide.
More recently, Dr. Hochman directed the ISCHEMIA trial, an ambitious NHLBI-sponsored international study designed to compare invasive versus conservative management strategies in stable coronary artery disease. This trial provided nuanced insights by revealing no significant difference in all-cause mortality between the two approaches. However, it highlighted meaningful enhancements in quality of life for patients suffering from angina who underwent invasive procedures such as coronary angiography, percutaneous coronary intervention, or coronary artery bypass grafting. These findings have informed guidelines by emphasizing patient-centered outcomes alongside survival metrics.
The synthesis of these trials has directly informed updates to pivotal clinical practice guidelines issued jointly by the American Heart Association and the American College of Cardiology, as well as recommendations from global cardiovascular societies. Dr. Hochman’s influence extends beyond research; she has actively contributed to multiple guideline writing committees, thereby embedding her evidence-based findings into the framework that shapes everyday cardiology practice internationally.
In addition to her impact on revascularization strategies, Dr. Hochman has been a pioneering voice in women’s cardiovascular health. Her early recognition of sex differences in acute coronary syndromes during the Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction IIIb (TIMI IIIb) trial paved the way for a deeper scientific understanding that many women with these syndromes exhibit no obstructive coronary artery disease. This revelation has sparked renewed attention on gender-specific pathophysiology and treatment approaches within cardiovascular medicine.
Dr. Hochman’s leadership extends within the National Institutes of Health (NIH) community as well. She has chaired the NIH’s Women’s Health Initiative Advisory Committee and served on multiple Data and Safety Monitoring Boards, underscoring her enduring commitment to the rigor, safety, and ethical oversight of clinical trials that seek to improve health outcomes, especially for women.
Reflecting on her award, Dr. Hochman emphasized the collaborative nature of scientific progress and her dedication to evidence-based patient care. She expressed gratitude for initial and sustained support from the American Heart Association and the NIH, which have been instrumental in funding pivotal randomized clinical trials central to her career achievements. This recognition by the AHA represents not only a personal milestone but also acknowledgement of a transformative era in cardiology research to which she has been integral.
Dr. Hochman’s long-standing affiliation with the AHA is exemplified by her service on numerous advisory and scientific committees, including the Science Advisory Coordinating Committee, Scientific Sessions Planning Committee, and the Women in Cardiology Committee. Her record of accolades from the Heart Association is extensive, featuring the Distinguished Scientist Award, Clinical Research Prize, and mentoring awards that recognize her impact as both investigator and leader.
Her academic pedigree is impressive, with degrees from Harvard Medical School and Harvard University’s Department of Cellular and Developmental Biology, complemented by clinical training at renowned institutions including Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Johns Hopkins University. Dr. Hochman has served on expert panels such as the FDA’s Cardiovascular and Renal Drugs Advisory Committee and the NHLBI Board of External Experts, reflecting her valued expertise in regulatory and advisory capacities.
With over 500 peer-reviewed publications to her name, Dr. Hochman contributes actively to the scientific discourse as an editorial board member of high-impact journals including Circulation, JAMA Cardiology, and the European Heart Journal. Her prolific academic output and editorial roles further consolidate her position as a thought leader dedicated to advancing the field through knowledge dissemination.
Dr. Judith Hochman’s receipt of the 2025 Research Achievement Award at the American Heart Association’s Scientific Sessions underscores the profound and multidisciplinary impact of her work. Through groundbreaking clinical trials, innovative research into sex-specific cardiovascular disease, and influential guideline development, she has indelibly shaped contemporary cardiology, promoting evidence-based improvements in patient outcomes worldwide.
Subject of Research: Cardiovascular clinical research focusing on revascularization strategies and sex differences in ischemic heart disease.
Article Title: Judith S. Hochman, M.D., Honored with 2025 Research Achievement Award by American Heart Association
News Publication Date: October 1, 2025
Web References:
https://newsroom.heart.org/news/nyu-grossman-school-of-medicine-leader-to-receive-the-2025-research-achievement-award?preview=c65f75ed44e29465589c03f6cd669350
https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/full/10.1161/CIR.0b013e318277d6a0?utm
https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/full/10.1161/CIR.0000000000001039?utm
Keywords: Cardiovascular disorders, cardiovascular disease, clinical trials, revascularization, ischemic heart disease, gender differences, myocardial infarction, cardiogenic shock, invasive treatment, guideline development, women’s cardiovascular health, clinical research
