Applications are invited for the second annual Louis Vogelpoel Travelling Scholarship.

An amount of up to R15 000 towards the travel and accommodation costs of a local or international congress will be offered annually by the Cape Western branch of the South African Heart Association in memory of one of South Africa’s outstanding cardiologists, Dr Louis Vogelpoel.  

Louis Vogelpoel was a pioneer of cardiology in South Africa who died in April 2005.  He was one of the founding members of the Cardiac Clinic at Groote Schuur Hospital and University of Cape Town.  He had an exceptional career over more than 5 decades as a distinguished general physician, cardiologist and horticultural scientist.  His commitment to patient care, teaching and personal education is remembered by his many students, colleagues and patients.  Medical students, house officers, registrars and consultants benefited from exposure to his unique blend of clinical expertise, extensive knowledge, enthusiasm and gracious style. A gifted and enthusiastic teacher, he was instrumental in the training of generations of under-graduates by regular bedside tutorials.  He served as an outstanding role-model for postgraduates and many who have achieved prominence nationally and internationally acknowledged his contribution to the development of their careers.

The scholarship will be awarded for the second time in 2008 after all applications have been received and reviewed by the executive committee of the Cape Western branch of the South African Heart Association.  Preference will be given to practitioners or researchers in the field of cardiovascular medicine who are members of the South African Heart Association and are resident in the Western Cape.

Applications should include:

1. a brief resumé of the work the applicant wishes to present at the congress and
2. a brief letter of what the applicant hopes to gain by attending the relevant congress.
   

The applicant should submit an abstract for presentation at the relevant national or international meeting.   Should such an abstract not be accepted by the relevant congress organizing committee, the applicant will forfeit his or her sponsorship towards the congress.  (Application can however be made well in advance of the relevant congress but will only be awarded on acceptance of the abstract).  A written report on the relevant congress attended will need to be submitted by the successful applicant  within six weeks of attending the congress.  The congress report will be published in the South African Heart Association Newsletter

Applications for the first round of awards close on the 31st of December 2007.