The International Society for the Study of Hypertension in Pregnancy (www.isshp.org) announced today that Eleni Z. Tsigas, CEO of the Preeclampsia Foundation, is the recipient of their 2021 Leon Chesley Award.

The prestigious Chesley Award is given to a member of the Society in recognition of her/his sustained and substantial contribution to research in preeclampsia, not only for her/his work but also for encouraging the work of others. The award is named after world-renowned preeclampsia researcher Leon Chesley, PhD, a renal physiologist in the 1930s who single-handedly energized research related to preeclampsia and was one of the founders of the Society. Tsigas represents the first-ever patient recipient of the award, whose previous awardees include luminaries of the field like Drs. Marshall Lindheimer, Christopher Redman, Baha Sibai, James Roberts, and Ananth Karamanchi.

“Eleni Tsigas has been so very important to our Society, providing a steadfast reminder of the real women and their families who benefit from the research that we do,” said ISSHP President Dr. Laura Magee of King’s College London. “Her dedication to research funding and innovation has helped the field to plot new ways forward.”

Tsigas, who is a two-time preeclampsia survivor, has led the Preeclampsia Foundation since 2009. During that time, she has served as a technical advisor to the World Health Organization, sat on the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists “Hypertension in Pregnancy” Task Force to develop the national care guidelines, served on the Patient Advisory Board of IMPROvED (IMproved PRegnancy Outcomes via Early Detection), Ireland, and the Technical Advisory Group and Knowledge Translation Committee for PRE-EMPT (funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation). Eleni is frequently engaged as an expert representing the patient community perspective on preeclampsia at national and international meetings.

“While I appreciate the personal recognition being bestowed upon me,” said Tsigas, “I consider the greatest honor to be the recognition that this award provides all patient and family partners, including all those at the Preeclampsia Foundation and our partner organizations, who work toward improvements in healthcare and research.”

Tsigas will be recognized at the opening ceremony of the Society’s Biennial Conference, occurring virtually from September 15-28, 2021.

Preeclampsia and other hypertensive disorders of pregnancy remain a major cause of maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality globally, and are still amongst the lowest research supported illnesses in terms of DALYs (disability adjusted lost years).

Learn more about the Preeclampsia Foundation’s commitment to research at http://www.preeclampsia.org/research

About the Preeclampsia Foundation

The Preeclampsia Foundation is a U.S.-based 501(c)(3) non-profit organization established in 2000 to improve the outcomes of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy by educating, supporting, and engaging the community, improving healthcare practices, and finding a cure. We envision a world where preeclampsia and related hypertensive disorders of pregnancy no longer threaten the lives of mothers and babies. For more information, visit www.preeclampsia.org.

About the International Society for the Study of Hypertension in Pregnancy

The international Society for the Study of Hypertension in Pregnancy (ISSHP), founded in 1976, aims to stimulate research in the field of hypertension in pregnancy, disseminate the useful results of such research, and advance education in the field. It is recognized by the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) and The World Health Organization (WHO) and has ongoing joint initiatives with both of these organizations. The Society is allied to its high-quality journal, Pregnancy Hypertension: An International Journal of Women’s Cardiovascular Health. For more information, visit www.isshp.org.