The Medical Association of Atlanta held their 40th Annual President’s Ball in February at the Four Seasons in Atlanta. The event included dinner, awards program, dancing, and entertainment. A highlight of the evening was the presentation of the Aven Citizenship Cup Award to Dr. J. Willis Hurst.

Dr. Hurst began teaching at Emory in 1950, and in 1957 he was named Professor and Chairman of the Department of Medicine, a position he held for 30 years. He is the author or editor of almost 400 scientific articles and over 60 books, including The Heart, widely considered to be the “bible” of cardiology.

Additionally, Dr. Hurst is a past president of the American Heart Association and the Association of Professors of Medicine. He served on the National Heart, Lung and Blood Council and was Chairman of the Cardiovascular Board.