Medical

West The American Heart Association recognized Dr. Steven R. West as this year's "Dr. Pascotto Golden Heart Award" winner for excellence in cardiology in Southwest Florida. West will officially be honored at the 2008 Lee Heart Ball to be held May 10, at the Hyatt Regency Coconut Point. The "Dr. Pascotto Golden Heart Award" is awarded to a physician that has given a lifelong contribution to improving heart health within the community. West has volunteered numerous hours as a leader of and member in several nonprofit organizations, including the American Heart Association, over the past 20 years. Dr. Robert Pascotto was the honored recipi- ent of the inaugural Golden Heart Award presented at the 2003 Lee County Hearts of Gold Ball. This year, the American Heart Association renamed the award the "Dr. Pascotto Golden Heart Award" to enhance the prestige of the award in recognition of Pascotto as the first recipient of the award, as well as being the first open heart surgeon in Southwest Florida.

Pascotto