A University College Cork (UCC) medical graduate, Dr. Whelton trained in medicine/nephrology at Johns Hopkins and clinical epidemiology at University of London. His leadership roles include Founding Director, Johns Hopkins Welch Center for Prevention, Epidemiology, and Clinical Research; Tulane University Dean, School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine; Dean, School of Medicine; Sr. VP for the Health Sciences; and President/CEO, Loyola University Health System/Medical Center.
He has chaired many NIH funded landmark hypertension prevention and treatment trials, including TOHP, TONE, ALLHAT, and SPRINT, and US/Global clinical practice guidelines. A recipient of two honorary degrees, he was awarded the AHA Population Research Prize, Excellence in Hypertension Research Award, Distinguished Scientist Award, the NKF David Hume Award, the Tulane University Research Hall of Fame Award, and the Science Foundation Ireland St. Patrick’s Day Academic Science Award. He has published approximately 600 peer reviewed manuscripts, and 100 books, chapters, supplements, or monographs.