[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 15 (Tuesday, January 24, 2023)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E45]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                RECOGNIZING DR. KEITH COPELIN FERDINAND

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. TROY A. CARTER

                              of louisiana

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, January 24, 2023

  Mr. CARTER of Louisiana. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Dr. Keith 
C. Ferdinand for his recognition as a 2023 Southern University at New 
Orleans Center for African and African American Studies Living Legend. 
Dr. Ferdinand is receiving this high honor because of his dedicated 
service to the citizens of New Orleans as a Cardiovascular Physician. 
For over 40 years, Dr. Ferdinand has endeavored to improve the health 
and lives of African Americans and other high risk, marginalized 
populations. He has devoted his life in medicine to eliminating the 
health disparities of New Orleans' most ostracized. people. In light of 
all of the aforementioned professional tributes, the roles he most 
treasures are devoted son, sibling, father, and husband.
  Keith C. Ferdinand, MD, FACC, FAHA, FASH, FNLA began his medical 
career with a BA in biology from the University of New Orleans. He then 
went on to earn an MD from Howard University College of Medicine in 
Washington, DC, an internship at the US Public Health Hospital in New 
Orleans, an internal medicine residency and cardiology fellowship at 
LSU Medical Center and a cardiology fellowship at Howard University 
Hospital, Washington, D.C. Following his years of doing clinical work, 
research and teaching at Xavier University, LSU, Baylor College of 
Medicine, and Emory University, Dr. Ferdinand returned to New Orleans 
as a Professor of Clinical Medicine at the Tulane University Heart and 
Vascular Institute.
  Dr. Ferdinand has been heavily involved in many national 
organizations concerned with public health, including the Association 
of Black Cardiologists, of which he was the former Chair and Chief 
Science Officer, the American Society of Hypertension, of which he was 
a board member, and the Healthy Heart Community Prevention Program, a 
cardiovascular risk program targeting African American and other 
highrisk populations. He is the immediate-past Chair of the National 
Forum for Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention, which provides the 
leadership and encouragement for collaboration among over 65 
organizations. Dr. Ferdinand focuses largely on cardiac risk factor 
evaluation and control, especially hypertension and hyperlipidemia, 
including communities of racial and ethnic minorities. He has had over 
100 manuscripts published and has a strong media presence. His passion 
for patient care is highlighted by his commitment to non-profit work 
and community service. In 2015 he was inducted into the Association of 
University Cardiologists. He also focused on improving patient care and 
eliminating health disparities by race, ethnicity, socioeconomic 
status, or gender through research and academic interests.
  I am humbled to personally know such a great physician, who has done 
so much to improve the lives of countless residents across my district. 
We are so honored to have Dr. Ferdinand, a true advocate for patient 
care.

                          ____________________