Dr. Katherine R. Tuttle, a globally recognized clinical researcher whose work has reshaped the treatment of chronic kidney disease (CKD), will be awarded the American Heart Association's 2026 Clinical Research Prize at the Association's Scientific Sessions 2026. The meeting, a premier global exchange of cardiovascular science, will take place November 6–9, 2026, in Chicago, with the award presentation scheduled during the Presidential Session on Sunday, November 8.
Dr. Tuttle serves as executive director for research at Providence in Spokane, Washington, and is a professor of medicine at the University of Washington School of Medicine in Seattle. Her research focuses on diabetes, CKD, and cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic (CKM) syndrome. Over more than three decades as a clinical and translational scientist, her pioneering efforts have helped transform CKD treatment by advancing therapies that reduce the risks of kidney failure, major adverse cardiovascular events, and premature death in people with and without diabetes.
Dr. Tuttle has played a leading role in studies that established SGLT2 inhibitors and GLP-1 receptor agonists as breakthrough therapies, and her research continues to advance next-generation treatments for CKD and CKM conditions. She also leads the CURE-CKD Registry, one of the nation's largest real-world databases of patients with chronic kidney disease, diabetes, and hypertension, encompassing more than seven million health system patients across Providence and UCLA Health facilities in seven states.
The implications of Dr. Tuttle's work extend far beyond the laboratory. By deepening the understanding of the connection between kidney disease and cardiovascular disease, her research has helped advance an integrated approach to CKM health that recognizes the interrelated effects of kidney disease, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and obesity. This integrated approach is critical as the global burden of these interconnected conditions continues to rise, affecting millions of lives and straining healthcare systems worldwide.
"Dr. Tuttle has fundamentally changed the care of patients living with chronic kidney disease and cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic conditions," said Manesh R. Patel, M.D., FAHA, the American Heart Association's 2026-2027 volunteer president. "Her visionary clinical research has deepened our understanding of the connection between kidney disease and cardiovascular disease, and helped advance an integrated approach to cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic health. She is an extraordinary physician-scientist whose leadership continues to shape the future of cardiovascular and kidney medicine."
Most recently, Dr. Tuttle served on the writing committee for the 2026 AHA/ACC/ADA/ASN Guideline for the Prevention, Detection, Evaluation, and Management of Cardiovascular-Kidney-Metabolic Syndrome, a landmark document that will guide clinical practice worldwide. Her contributions to this guideline underscore her role in translating research into actionable standards of care.
Dr. Tuttle's scientific achievements have earned numerous honors, including the National Kidney Foundation's Garabed Eknoyan Award in 2017, the American Association of Kidney Patients' Medal of Excellence in 2020, and the American Society of Nephrology's John P. Peters Lifetime Achievement Award in 2023. In 2025, she was elected to the Association of American Physicians and recognized as a Web of Science Highly Cited Researcher, placing her work among the top 1% most cited in her field. She has authored more than 500 peer-reviewed publications and served as principal investigator on numerous NIH-supported research projects and clinical trials.
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The recognition of Dr. Tuttle highlights the growing importance of interdisciplinary research in tackling complex, interrelated diseases. As healthcare systems worldwide grapple with the rising prevalence of diabetes, kidney disease, and cardiovascular conditions, her work offers a roadmap for more effective prevention and treatment strategies. The 2026 Clinical Research Prize not only honors her past achievements but also spotlights the critical need for continued investment in clinical research that bridges specialties and improves patient outcomes globally.
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