The American Heart Association of Southeastern Pennsylvania presented Alfred Bove, professor emeritus of medicine at the School of Medicine and chief of cardiology at Temple University Hospital, with the Edward S. Cooper, MD Humanitarian Award at the 2008 Philadelphia Heart Ball on Feb. 23 for his efforts to advance medicine in the Delaware Valley.

Throughout his 41-year career, Bove’s clinical interests have included heart failure, heart transplantation, sports medicine and diving medicine. Currently, he heads a trial investigating whether internet-based telemedicine can decrease cardiovascular disease risk in underserved inner-city and rural populations.

Through this innovative technique, Bove hopes that underserved patients will come to take a more proactive approach to their health and eventually demand better healthcare for themselves and their families.

“Only when everyone reaches a new level of health education can we all be truly equal citizens,” Bove said.

Bove has authored more than 250 papers on coronary disease, valvular heart disease, cardiac hypertrophy, exercise, coronary prevention, environmental medicine and diving medicine. Bove is a fellow and vice president of the American College of Cardiology and a fellow of the American Heart Association and the American College of Physicians, as well as a member of the Institute of Electric and Electronic Engineers and the Undersea and Hyperbaric Medical Society.

“Fred Bove is truly a cardiologist’s cardiologist. His commitment to research, education and the care of his patients is immensely appreciated by the entire community of cardiologists,” said Nicholas Vaganos, a cardiologist who serves on the Edward S. Cooper Award Selection Committee.

The Edward S. Cooper, MD Humanitarian Award is presented by the American Heart Association of Southeastern Pennsylvania to an individual who has made significant contributions to the greater Philadelphia area. The award’s namesake was a world-renowned physician and pioneering researcher of hypertension and stroke, and the first African American to preside over the American Heart Association.