Emeritus teacher Paul YockMD, formerly Professor Martha Meier Weiland at the school of medicine, professor of bio-engineering and cardiology and founding director of Stanford Biodesign (now the Stanford Mussallem center for bioconception), went to Washington, DC, at the beginning of the month to receive the national technology and innovation medal during a ceremony in the White House.
The medal has been awarded to Yock in recognition of his work aimed at understanding the human heart, knowledge that is used today all over the world to improve patient care and save lives. The prize also rewards its innovative approach to the training of future leaders in biotechnology thanks to its creation of Stanford Biodesign.
“Paul Yock deserves this honor as a co-founder and former director of Stanford Biodesign, who has considerably advanced innovation in health technologies,” said Lloyd MinorMD, dean of the Faculty of Medicine and Vice-President of Medical Affairs at the University of Stanford. “His inventions in interventional cardiology have also saved countless lives around the world. »»
The ceremony was led by Austi Prabhakar, PHD, director of the Office of Scientific and Technological Policy of the White House. “Today, while we celebrate these individual achievements, we also recognize that they have taken place within the institutions of our democracy, including in many cases with the support of the government, which is, in the most Literal, “We, the people”, to come. Together to make the progress possible, ”said Prabhakar.
Since its first discount in 1985, the national technology and innovation medal has been awarded to American innovators whose vision, intellect, creativity and determination have strengthened the American economy and improved quality of life. Yock is one of the nine recipients of the 2025 medals.
“Attending the white house ceremony was a significant experience, reflecting the government’s commitment to innovation through organizations such as the National Institutes of Health,” said Yock. “The United States has a solid infrastructure and a dynamic culture of entrepreneurship and innovation that have completed the loop for me-this has played a central role in my own career and in the success of our programs. »»
One of the first innovators
Yock began his career in the early 1980s, when innovations in non -invasive medical procedures quickly evolved. He invented several medical devices and systems; Today, it has 55 American patents delivered. A system of angioplasty and stenting and an intravascular ultrasonic catheter are two of its most remarkable: they are used routine worldwide for the diagnosis and treatment of coronary disease.
Stanford Biodesign, founded in 2001, was born from the conviction of Yock according to which innovation in health technologies can be approached as a discipline in a university environment. Stanford Biodesign was proof of a pioneering concept of this approach. The objective is to improve health and equity results through education, translation and innovation policies.
“The success we have known with Stanford Biodesign proves that technological innovation can be taught, learned, practiced and perfected, and I am extremely proud that many institutions have shaped their programs on Stanford Biodesign,” said Yock.
He and his co-founder, Josh MakowerMD, undertook to develop an educational model supported by interdisciplinary collaboration; Immersive and practical mentorship provided by industry professionals; and an emphasis on translation. Stanford Biodesign has helped to train and empowering 219 innovation researchers, more than 3,000 Stanford students and 109 members of the Stanford faculty. Fifty-seven health technology companies were founded on the basis of technologies invented by the interns of Stanford Biodesign.
“Paul is one of the nicest and most attentive people with whom I have ever worked; It’s so pleasant to see such an honor to come back to one of the really good, “said Makower, a Yock family professor, director of the Byers of Stanford Biodesign and professor of bio-engineering and cardiovascular medicine. “Under its direction of Stanford Biodesign, innovation has prospered and our trainees produced technologies that have affected the lives of millions of people. It is truly an accomplishment which deserves substantial recognition. We are all very proud of him.
Yock added that his colleagues share this success.
“Receiving the national technology and innovation medal is really a team honor,” said Yock. “In particular for the part of the price based on biodeling – it reflects the formidable contributions of dozens of members of our staff and our Biodesign teachers who have built a world class program over the years.