The American Heart Association honored Willie Edward Lawrence, Jr., MD at its annual Awards Luncheon in Dallas naming him Physician of the Year. Dr. Lawrence, an interventional cardiologist for Midwest Heart Associates in Kansas City, was honored for his work as a patient advocate and for his efforts to fulfill the mission of the American Heart Association- "building healthier lives, free of cardiovascular diseases and stroke."
"In the nearly 20 years that Dr. Lawrence has devoted to patient care in an under served area of Kansas City, he has inspired many as a prevention-focused leader," said Kevin J. Hicks, chief executive officer, Research Medical Center. "When 12 cardiologists in his 14-member group moved to a suburban location last year, he recruited cardiologists to fill the void and rebuilt his practice in the urban Kansas City community."
Dr. Lawrence is chief of the Division of Cardiology at Research Medical Center and the director for Midwest Heart Associates. Dr. Lawrence is the founder and director of Research Medical Center's Congestive Heart Failure program and the medical director of the hospital's cardiac rehabilitation program. In addition to his volunteer service with the American Heart Association, Lawrence's committee and board involvement includes Union Station Science City, Harvard College scholarship committee, Phillips Exeter Academy and the American Red Cross.