RIYADH: Professor Zohair Al-Halees, a consultant cardiac surgeon at King Faisal Specialist Hospital, has been honoured with the 2026 Lifetime Achievement Award by the American College of Cardiology (ACC).
The award recognises his decades-long contributions to advancing cardiac surgery, education, and patient care both in Saudi Arabia and internationally, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Tuesday.
The award was presented at the ACC’s annual scientific session in New Orleans, attended by leading cardiology experts from around the world.
Prof. Al-Halees’ career spans over 48 years, during which he has performed more than 25,000 cardiac surgeries.
He established the first congenital heart defects registry in the Middle East and was instrumental in creating an integrated heart centre at King Faisal Specialist Hospital, combining cardiac surgery, cardiology, and critical care while mentoring dozens of young surgeons.
Internationally, he has led more than 60 humanitarian and educational surgical missions across 20 countries.
Academically, he has published over 150 scientific papers and contributed to specialised reference textbooks.
Notably, he was elected president of the World Society for Pediatric and Congenital Heart Surgery, becoming the first Saudi and Arab physician to hold the position.
During the award ceremony, the ACC highlighted Al-Halees’ innovations in heart valve replacement surgery, particularly a pioneering technique that uses the patient’s own tissue to replace a damaged valve.
This method allows the valve to grow naturally with the patient, reduces the need for lifelong medication, and significantly improves long-term quality of life, especially for children and adolescents.
His work in treating complex congenital heart defects in infants and children has enhanced surgical success rates, minimised complications, and improved recovery outcomes.
These contributions have been documented in leading international medical references, cementing Prof. Al-Halees’ reputation as a global pioneer in cardiac surgery.
