Dr. Mary Cushman is a distinguished vascular medicine expert whose pioneering research has fundamentally transformed understanding of the connections between cardiovascular health and neurological outcomes. She currently serves as University Distinguished Professor of Medicine and Pathology & Laboratory Medicine at the University of Vermont Larner College of Medicine, where she also holds the position of Vice Chair for Emerging Researchers in the Department of Medicine and Medical Director of the Thrombosis and Hemostasis Program at the University of Vermont Medical Center. After earning her Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from the University of Vermont in 1985, she completed her medical degree at the Robert Larner College of Medicine in 1989 followed by specialized training in hematology and a Master of Science in Epidemiology from Harvard University. Dr. Cushman joined the University of Vermont faculty in 1996 and has since established herself as a national leader in vascular medicine research, co-directing the Vermont Center for Cardiovascular and Brain Health while advancing the field through rigorous epidemiological investigations.
Dr. Cushman's groundbreaking research has fundamentally reshaped understanding of risk factors for heart disease, stroke, cognitive impairment, and venous thrombosis, particularly through her seminal work demonstrating the intricate connections between cardiovascular and brain health. Her influential studies disproving racial and geographical differences in blood clotting mechanisms challenged long-held assumptions and revealed that increased stroke mortality rates cannot be solely attributed to traditional risk factors but must consider external stressors including socioeconomic factors and healthcare access disparities. As medical director of the UVM Thrombosis and Hemostasis Program, she has significantly advanced clinical understanding of venous thromboembolism while establishing protocols that have improved patient outcomes across the region. Her research on the vascular origins of cognitive impairment has opened new avenues for preventive strategies against dementia, positioning her as a leading authority on the intersection of cardiovascular health and neurological function.
Beyond her research contributions, Dr. Cushman has profoundly influenced the field through exceptional mentorship and leadership, having guided 37 students, trainees, and early-career investigators over her 29 years at UVM, many of whom have established successful academic careers continuing her research legacy. Her dedication to advancing cardiovascular epidemiology was recognized with the prestigious 2025 EPI Mentoring Award from the American Heart Association Council on Epidemiology and Prevention, which honors outstanding institutional and individual mentorship in cardiovascular research. As an elected Fellow of the Vermont Academy of Arts & Sciences and active member of the International Society on Thrombosis and Haemostasis, she continues to shape national research priorities while advocating for greater awareness of deep vein thrombosis and vascular health issues. Dr. Cushman remains actively engaged in advancing the understanding of cardiovascular-brain connections through her ongoing research at the Vermont Center for Cardiovascular and Brain Health, where she continues to pioneer integrative approaches to preventing cognitive decline through cardiovascular health optimization.
