Julio C. Palmaz, MD

Julio C. Palmaz, MD, is the inventor of the first FDA-approved vascular stent. He has developed numerous other procedures and devices, including the stent graft. His early stent research artifacts are now part of the medical collection of the Smithsonian Institution. Millions of patients worldwide have benefited from the inventions of Dr. Palmaz.

Dr. Palmaz received his medical degree in 1971 at the National University of La Plata, Argentina, and completed his radiology specialty training at the UC Davis Martinez Veteran’s Administration Medical Center. He began his professional career in 1974 at San Martin University Hospital in Argentina. In 1983, Dr. Palmaz joined the University of Texas Health Science Center, Department of Radiology, as chief of Angiography and Special Procedures.

Dr. Palmaz is currently the Ashbel Smith Professor at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio and scientific advisor of Vactronix Scientific. He has 40 issued patents and is the author of 36 books or book chapters, as well as 108 peer-reviewed publications in scientific journals.