Interventional cardiologist, Dr. Sasanka Jayasuriya, received the Female Trailblazer Award at the 2018 Doctors of Distinction ceremony for her work to empower women of all ages to take charge of their heart health.
At the ceremony, the Greenwich resident was recognized for her work at Greenwich Hospital and Yale New Haven Hospital, as well as the time she dedicates after hours raising awareness among women about heart disease and heart attack. An assistant professor of medicine at Yale University, Dr. Jayasuriya is a leader in a field where women comprise only 4% of the nation’s interventional cardiologists.
“As a woman in the workplace, we cannot ignore the stories we have heard in the last months related to #metoo. But there is also much love in this world,” said Dr. Jayasuriya, who went on to thank the men in her life – her husband, father, mentors, colleagues and friends – for supporting her professional development.
“I want to dedicate this award to all the gentlemen who appropriately support women to achieve career goals and to all the women who do not reach their career potential simply because of gender,” she said.
Jayasuriya’s medical reach extends far beyond her work as a physician to her service in the greater community. “This is a much-deserved award,” said Dr. Spike Lipschutz, senior vice president, medical services and chief medical officer at Greenwich Hospital. “Dr. Jayasuriya is a true champion for her patients and for women. She embodies the characteristics of a healer.”
Known as Dr. J to her patients, Jayasuriya established Greenwich Hospital’s first Heart and Vascular Center for Women two years ago. She also led the creation of the hospital’s Limb Preservation Program, a multi-specialty collaborative to diagnose and treat hard-to-heal wounds to prevent amputation.
In addition to her full-time position as a cardiologist, Jayasuriya serves on the board of the American Heart Association. During her popular seminars at the annual Fairfield and Westchester County Go Red for Women luncheon, Jayasuriya educates women on the signs of a heart attack and stroke, while gently encouraging them to take charge of their health. She also gives many free public lectures on diverse heart health subjects.
Jayasuriya is also highly respected by her peers. In a rare move, Jayasuriya last year won Greenwich Hospital’s Physician Partner in Care Award as voted by the nursing staff and the Golden Apple Teacher of the Year Award as voted by the hospital’s medical residents.
Jayasuriya graduated from medical school in her native Sri Lanka. She underwent postgraduate medical training with the Royal Australasian College of Physicians in New Zealand. She completed cardiology fellowship training at the University of Arizona, where she won the prestigious Allen Ginn Jr., MD, Endowed Award for Excellence in Patient Care. While on faculty at the University of Arizona, she edited a popular textbook in echocardiography. Recognizing her dedication to teaching, the cardiovascular fellows awarded her the Sarver Heart Center Teaching Award in 2013. She completed interventional cardiology training at Yale University and was awarded the Beard fellowship to train in peripheral vascular interventions. She currently serves on the faculty of Yale University.
