Dr. Timothy Guiney, the well-known Vineyard cardiologist who has been practicing medicine in Boston and on the Island for decades, has been recognized by Massachusetts General Hospital for his distinguished contributions to the field of medicine. In a press release this week, MGH announced that it will establish in Dr. Guiney’s name the Paul Dudley White Distinguished Service Chair in Cardiology. Known as the father of cardiology, Dr. White brought the first electrocardiogram to MGH and established the specialty in diseases of the heart. He was a mentor to Dr. Guiney in the early stages of his medical career.

“Dr. Timothy E. Guiney has embraced the principles and practice style of Dr. White and has provided extraordinary care for his patients,” the press release said. “After 40 years of distinguished service to MGH, hospital leadership would like to honor Dr. Guiney by approaching his grateful patients and establishing the Paul Dudley White, MD, Distinguished Service Chair in Cardiology in his honor. An MGH Chair represents one of the highest honors bestowed upon its physicians.”

The announcement kicks off a $2 million fundraising campaign that is part of the hospital’s much larger Campaign for the Third Century of MGH Medicine to launch a visionary Institute for Heart, Vascular and Stroke Care.

Dr. Guiney lives in Chilmark and Boston. His early career included work on noninvasive diagnosis of coronary disease, and collaboration with colleagues in both cardiology and radiology that helped initiate some of the early work in cardiac imaging using radioactive tracers.

For the past 25 years he has been active in the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital, both as a trustee and in his private practice. He holds clinics for patients every Friday at the Vineyard hospital. He also played a role in establishing the formal relationship that now exists between the Vineyard hospital and Partners Health Care.

“Whether he is treating patients from greater Boston, on the Cape and Islands or in Europe or the Middle East, they all appreciate Dr. Guiney’s hands-on, interactive and intuitive style,” the press release said.