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West Orange, N.J. (July 6, 2023) – Two RWJBarnabas Health cardiologists were recognized by the American Heart Association (AHA) at the 2023 New Jersey Heart Ball. Gary J. Rogal, MD, FACC, Medical Director for Cardiovascular Services at RWJBarnabas Health was awarded the Harvey Nussbaum Distinguished Service Award, while Rachana A. Kulkarni, MD, FACC, MBA, CPE, physician leader with the RWJBarnabas Health Women’s Heart Health Collaborative was named Physician of the Year. Dr. Rogal and Dr. Kulkarni accepted their honors at the annual New Jersey Heart Ball on Wednesday, June 7 at the Brooklake Country Club in Florham Park, NJ. “The American Heart Association’s recognition of Dr. Rogal and Dr. Kulkarni is a testament to their long-standing commitment to the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular disease,” said Andy Anderson, MD, Executive Vice President, Chief Medical and Quality Officer at RWJBarnabas Health. “Dr. Rogal and Dr. Kulkarni have dedicated their careers to helping patients living with heart disease and both have helped countless individuals and families across the state build healthier lives. We congratulate them both on these well-deserved awards.” Dr. Rogal was honored with the Harvey Nussbaum Distinguished Service Award for his career-long emphasis on preventative cardiology, clinical excellence, and cutting-edge innovations, helping transform cardiac care in the state. The award is named in honor of the late Harvey E. Nussbaum, M.D., a renowned cardiologist from what is now Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center (CBMC), and is awarded to an individual who is committed to building healthier communities and to furthering the American Heart Association's mission. Dr. Rogal joined the cardiology staff at CBMC in 1986 and was appointed co-chief of the Department of Cardiology in 1991. Four years later, he became Director of Cardiology Program Development. He has published several journal articles and is a diplomat of the American Board of Internal Medicine and a fellow of the American College of Cardiology. He also serves as a board member of the Heritage Affiliate of the American Heart Association. In recognition of his commitment and leadership, he was a recipient of the NJ Monthly Top Docs award. Throughout his decades-long tenure with RWJBarnabas Health, Dr. Rogal and his investments in the system’s cardiovascular program have established RWJBarnabas Health as a cardiac care destination in New Jersey. Under Dr. Rogal’s leadership, the system has developed one of the three largest heart transplant programs in the nation and the largest pediatric cardiology and cardiac surgery programs in the state. He co-founded the Integrative Medicine Program for Cardiovascular Disease at CBMC and Newark Beth Israel Medical Center, one of the largest integrative medicine programs for cardiac patients in the United States, and has led the system to perform more Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacements (TAVR) than any other health system in the state. For her dedication and efforts to heart disease prevention and raising awareness of heart disease in women, Dr. Kulkarni was named Physician of the Year. This honor is awarded to an individual nominated by peers or patients, who has made a positive impact on their patients’ lives and is dedicated to fighting heart disease and stroke. Board Certified in Cardiology and Nuclear Cardiology, Dr. Kulkarni joined Medicor in 1998. She has also served as the Chief of Cardiology and the Chairman of the Department of Medicine at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Somerset. Dedicating her work to heart disease prevention in women, she has been published extensively on the topic. Past President of The American Heart Association of New Jersey SC, Dr. Kulkarni now serves as co-chair of NJ American College of Cardiology's Women in Cardiology Chapter and serves on the Board of Directors for the AHA. She is also co-chair of the anti-vaping efforts by the AHA and serves on AHA’s national committees. She has received numerous awards and accolades including The Woman of Distinction Award by the AHA and has been a recipient of the NJ Monthly Top Docs award. For more information on RWJBarnabas Health Cardiovascular Care please visit, https://www.rwjbh.org/treatment-care/heart-and-vascular-care/. ### ABOUT RWJBARNABAS HEALTH RWJBarnabas Health is the largest, most comprehensive academic health care system in New Jersey, with a service area covering eight counties with five million people. The system includes twelve acute care hospitals – Clara Maass Medical Center in Belleville, Community Medical Center in Toms River, Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center in Livingston, Jersey City Medical Center in Jersey City, Monmouth Medical Center in Long Branch, Monmouth Medical Center Southern Campus in Lakewood, Newark Beth Israel Medical Center in Newark, Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in New Brunswick, Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital at Hamilton in Hamilton, Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Rahway in Rahway, and Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Somerset in Somerville; Trinitas Regional Medical Center in Elizabeth; three acute care children's hospitals; Children’s Specialized Hospital, including a network of outpatient centers; a behavioral health center and the state’s largest behavioral health network; two trauma centers; a satellite emergency department; ambulatory care centers; geriatric centers; comprehensive home care and hospice programs; fitness and wellness centers; retail pharmacy services; an affiliated medical group; multi-site imaging centers; and two accountable care organizations. RWJBarnabas Health is among New Jersey’s largest private employers – with more than 38,000 employees and 9,000 physicians – and routinely captures national awards for outstanding quality and safety. RWJBarnabas Health, in partnership with Rutgers University, is New Jersey’s largest academic health care system. The collaboration aligns RWJBarnabas Health with Rutgers’ education, research, and clinical activities, including those at the Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey – the state's only National Cancer Institute (NCI)-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center – and Rutgers University Behavioral Health Care.