Fixing Broken Hearts - Dr. Judah Folkman Scientist in Residence Program
Bexley High School science students had the chance to learn about how to mend and prevent a broken heart during the annual Judah Folkman, MD Scientist in Residence program on February 13th. Presenters included cardiac surgeon and BHS alum, Dr. Matthew Henn, '01, Surgical Director, Heart Transplantation and Mechanical Circulatory Support and Services and Perioperative Services at Ohio State's Ross Heart Hospital and Assistant Professor of Cardiac Surgery, Dr. Joy Walker, Vascular Surgeon, OhioHealth and Bexley Education Foundation Vice Chair, Dr. Karen Texter, Pediatric Cardiologist & Director of Fetal Echocardiology, Nationwide Children's Hospital, Zianne Olverson, graduate research associate at Ohio State who is examining the effects of vaping on the adult and intrauterine cardiopulmonary system and Cindy Tyson, RN, Nursing Supervisor for Bexley City Schools who leads the district's involvement in Project Adam which trains staff and creates plans on how to respond in the critical minutes following a sudden cardiac arrest. Each presenter shared their career trajectory and talked about their training and preparation as well as their daily work. Students had a chance to ask questions about cardiac research, technological advancements and what other professionals and practitioners do to improve heart health.
The Scientist-in-Residence Program is made possible each year by the Dr. Judah Folkman, Class of 1950, Science Endowment Fund at the Bexley Education Foundation. The program honors the life and work of Dr. Judah Folkman, Class of 1950, who graduated from Ohio State and Harvard Medical School where he trained as a surgeon.
Dr. Folkman devoted much of his time to research. His groundbreaking research on linking the role of the formation of new blood vessels to cancerous tumors led to successful treatments. Dr. Folkman is widely recognized today as a groundbreaking researcher and cancer warrior. Dr. Folkman served as the graduation speaker for Bexley High School in 2000. He passed away in 2008 at the age of 74.
Each year the Foundation works with the BHS science faculty to bring speakers from various fields including medicine, engineering, environmental sciences and more to spark students’ curiosity about careers in science. It is very meaningful to students when we are able to have BHS alumni as presenters. If you or a classmate are working in a science related field and would like to be considered as a presenter for a future program, please reach out to Wendy Hauswirth at alumni@bexley.us.
