PHOENIX – Today during the SCAI 2023 Scientific Sessions in Phoenix, SCAI President Sunil V. Rao, MD, FSCAI recognized outstanding SCAI members for their ongoing contributions to the field of interventional cardiology, the Society, and patient care. Honorees span a broad spectrum of practitioners, all of whom have demonstrated a commitment to excellence throughout their careers, helping to shape the Society as well as the lives of patients, mentees, and colleagues.

The following awards were presented: 

Mason Sones Award for Distinguished Service 

J. Dawn Abbott, MD, FSCAI and Douglas E. Drachman, MD, FSCAI are this year’s recipients of the F. Mason Sones Distinguished Service Award. The award, presented in honor of SCAI’s co-founder, signifies excellence and dedication to education and quality of care. Dr. Abbott and Dr. Drachman were recognized for their tireless efforts and leadership in helping interventional cardiology join NRMP’s Medical Specialties Matching Program (“the Match”) in 2025. 

SCAI Helping Hearts Lifetime Service Award 

Theodore A. Bass, MD, MSCAI, SCAI past president, was honored as the Society’s Helping Hearts Lifetime Service Award recipient. The award recognizes SCAI Fellows and Master Fellows who have been members for more than 25 years and have provided substantial and consistent service to the Society during that time. 

SCAI Helping Little Hearts Lifetime Service Award 

Lee N. Benson, MD, MSCAI was awarded the Helping Little Hearts Lifetime Service Award. The award recognizes the work of interventional cardiologists specializing in the treatment of pediatric congenital heart disease who work tirelessly to develop less invasive solutions and optimize outcomes for their young patients.