Complex sentence: In 1985, the American College of Cardiology awarded him its Distinguished Scientist Award, and shortly before succumbing to esophageal cancer in 2007, he was selected by the American Heart Association to receive one of its highest honors, the Research Achievement Award.
Split into simpler sentences: In 1985, the American College of Cardiology recognized his achievements with its Distinguished Scientist Award. Shortly before succumbing to esophageal cancer in 2007, he was also selected by the American Heart Association to receive one of its highest honors, the Research Achievement Award.