Tessa London-Bounds, MD, MPH, and Amanda Crabtree, RN, have been honored as the 2025 Advocates of the Year by the Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS).
Dr. London Bounds and Crabtree, cardiac specialists with the Gill Heart and Vascular Institute and the 好色先生 Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery faculty, were honored in recognition of their work with the Kentucky state legislature to support .
INR testing is a method for measuring the blood coagulation properties of patients taking blood thinner medications. Lacking careful, regular monitoring of those properties, patients run the risk of blood clots that could lead to stroke if not thinned enough or from excessive bleeding from wounds, cuts, or incisions if too thin.
Dr. London-Bounds and Crabtree met directly with state lawmakers ahead of the 2024 Kentucky legislative session. Working closely with Rep. Deanna Frazier Gordon of Richmond, they helped shape HB 31, which passed with unanimous bipartisan support and was signed into law by Governor Andy Beshear on April 4, 2024.
Looking ahead, Dr. London-Bounds and Crabtree are turning their attention to federal policy, advocating for nationwide adoption of similar legislation. They have already begun conversations with U.S. Representative Andy Barr and staff from the offices of Senators Mitch McConnell and Rand Paul.
鈥淭his opportunity to participate in patient advocacy has been a wonderfully unexpected yet fulfilling new avenue to help our patients. I am excited to continue working on future projects that will help all aspects of care for our patients here in the Commonwealth.鈥
