For immediate Release
9/4/26
Sports Cardiology Society Honors Dr. Paul Thompson with First Lifetime Achievement Award
Raleigh, NC – The newly formed Sports Cardiology Society (SCS) will make its formal introduction at the Boston Sports Cardiology Summit, taking place September 25-26, 2026, at the Fairmont Copley Plaza Hotel in Boston, Massachusetts. This event will bring together leaders in the field to discuss emerging research, evolving clinical practices, and the future of athlete-focused cardiovascular care.
The Sports Cardiology Society brings together a diverse community of cardiologists, sports medicine physicians, researchers, athletic trainers, exercise physiologists, and performance professionals who share a common mission: advancing athlete-centered cardiovascular care and supporting athletes in safe participation at all levels of sport.
The Board of Directors and Founding Members are honored to recognize Dr. Paul Thompson as the first recipient of the Sports Cardiology Society Lifetime Achievement Award. This prestigious distinction recognizes his pioneering contributions to the field of sports cardiology and his enduring commitment to improving cardiovascular care for athletes worldwide.
Dr. Thompson is Chief of Cardiology Emeritus at Hartford Hospital and Professor of Medicine Emeritus at the University of Connecticut. Throughout a career spanning more than four decades, he has authored more than 500 scientific publications focused on exercise, preventive cardiology, cardiovascular risk reduction, and the health of athletes. A past President of the American College of Sports Medicine, Dr. Thompson has helped shape the scientific and clinical foundations of sports cardiology through his research, teaching, mentorship, and editorial leadership, including serving as editor of the landmark textbook Exercise and Sports Cardiology. His interest in athlete heart health is grounded not only in his professional work but also in his personal experience as a competitive distance runner, having qualified for the 1972 U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials and finished 16th in the 1976 Boston Marathon.
"Few individuals have done more to shape and advance the field of sports cardiology than Dr. Thompson," said the Society's President Matt Martinez, MD. "Long before sports cardiology gained widespread recognition, he championed the vision that athletes deserve specialized cardiovascular expertise that balances safety, performance, and evidence-based care. His leadership has inspired generations of clinicians and researchers and has helped establish the foundation upon which the field continues to grow."
The Lifetime Achievement Award will be presented on Friday, September 25, 2026, at the Fairmont Copley Plaza Hotel in Boston.
The Sports Cardiology Society extends its deepest gratitude to Dr. Thompson for his extraordinary contributions and looks forward to celebrating his achievements.
About the Sports Cardiology Society Lifetime Achievement Award
The Sports Cardiology Society Lifetime Achievement Award recognizes individuals who have made enduring, foundational, and transformative contributions to sports cardiology over the course of their careers. Candidates are expected to demonstrate excellence across multiple areas, including leadership, clinical care, research, education, mentorship, and service to the field. Recipients are recognized as pioneers whose work has significantly influenced athlete cardiovascular care and helped define sports cardiology as a discipline.
In addition to formal recognition, recipients receive lifetime honorary membership in the Sports Cardiology Society and are featured through Society communications, educational initiatives, and historical archives that celebrate their contributions to the field.
For the inaugural presentation of this award, the Society is honored to recognize Dr. Thompson, whose vision, leadership, and decades of dedication have helped establish the foundation upon which modern sports cardiology continues to grow.
About the Sports Cardiology Society
The Sports Cardiology Society is a professional organization dedicated to advancing excellence in the cardiovascular care of athletes. Through education, research, collaboration, and advocacy, the Society seeks to support healthcare professionals who care for athletes while promoting safe participation in sports and physical activity worldwide.
Media Contact:
Nicole Shore
Sports Cardiology Society
Email: staff@sportscardiology.org
SCS is managed by FirstPoint Management Resources
About FirstPoint Management Resources
FirstPoint Management Resources partners with nonprofit, volunteer-led associations to help them grow, stay organized, and make a bigger impact. With more than 40 years of experience—and as one of only 75 AMCI-accredited firms globally—FPMR brings a strong mix of expertise, structure, and flexibility to everything they do.
SCS Team
Sr. Association Director – Nicole Shore, nshore@firstpointresources.com
Association Coordinator – Christy Shields, staff@sportscardiologysociety.org, info@sportscardiologysociety.org
###
