The Society's Presidents during the 1980s: Bernard S. Goldman, MD, FHRS 1982-1983 Robert G. Hauser, MD, FHRS 1983-1984 Albert L. Waldo, MD, FHRS 1984-1985 Jerry C. Griffin, MD, FHRS 1985-1986 Paul C. Gillette, MD, FHRS 1986-1987 Michael Bilitch, MD, FHRS 1987 Doris J. Escher, MD, FHRS 1988 Melvin M. Scheinman, MD, FHRS 1988-1989

The men and woman who led the Society during the 1980s all represent a strong commitment to the advancement of cardiac arrhythmia disorders treatment. It is because of their leadership that the Society continues its successful endeavors.

In the interviews that follow, note that NASPE, for the North American Society of Pacing and Electrophysiology, is referenced, as it was the original name of the Heart Rhythm Society.

Bernard S. Goldman, MD, FHRS, CCDS — 1982-1983

“My tenure raised awareness of Cardiac Pacing in Canada and facilitated integration of Canadian physicians, nurses and technicians into NASPE’s Executive and Scientific Sessions,” recalls Bernard S. Goldman, MD, FHRS, CCDS, cardiac surgeon from Toronto, Ontario, Canada and the Society’s third president.

Goldman’s term was devoted primarily to cardiac pacing and acknowledging the early significant efforts of electrophysiology. The main thrust of the organization was the development of an annual scientific sessions. During his leadership, he and his colleagues attempted to highlight the growth of clinical pacing, absent in other cardiology organizations’ meetings.

Under Goldman’s tenure the first policy conference was held, ACCME accreditation was achieved and the first Society fellowships (Albert S. Hyman, Kenneth M. Rosen and John B. Schwedel Traveling) were awarded. He supported efforts to involve and acknowledge the Associated Professionals role in pacing and electrophysiology and discussions and negotiations with the ACC and various government agencies.

“Those of us working to establish an identity, purpose, research and teaching organization back then could never have imagined the success and magnitude of NASPE as it evolved to Heart Rhythm Society.”

Robert G. Hauser, MD, FHRS, CCDS — 1983-1984

Robert G. Hauser, MD, FHRS, CCDS became the fourth President of the Society in 1983. As he recalls, “it was a privilege to participate in the formative stages of NASPE, and to have shared the experience with my friends and colleagues.” During Hauser’s term of office the Society held its first stand-alone scientific sessions.

Hauser is no stranger to leadership as it has remained a consistent role throughout his career. He is currently the Chairman of the Board of the Cardiovascular Services Division at the Minneapolis Heart Institute/Abbott Northwestern Hospital in Minnesota. Hauser was appointed to serve on a special Federal task force addressing human health issues.

An esteemed researcher and clinician, Hauser’s investigative interests are focused in the field of cardiac arrhythmias, noninvasive and preventive cardiology, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, and pacemakers.

Hauser also served as the first Chair of the Heart Rhythm Foundation, 2003-2005.

Albert L. Waldo, MD, FHRS, CCDS — 1984-1985

“Of the many things we accomplished during my presidency, most important was getting the involvement and commitment of the EP community. This helped establish the foundation of NASPE’s credibility beyond pacing. The rest is history,” states Albert L. Waldo, MD, FHRS, CCDS of his term as the fifth president (and first to be an electrophysiologist) of the Society.

During Waldo’s presidency, the first EP policy conferences were held, five fellowships were awarded, and the first Annual Scientific Sessions held outside the USA occurred in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Society membership reached 500 and the headquarter offices moved to larger facilities.

In 1997, Waldo received the Distinguished Scientist Award from the Society, and has served as editor-in-chief of NASPE Tapes. Waldo was the plenary lecturer at the 24th Annual Scientific Session in 2003 and the inaugural speaker of the First Annual Founder’s Lecture held during the 27th Annual Scientific Session in 2006.

Jerry C. Griffin, MD, FHRS, CCDS — 1985-1986

“By creating a Board of Trustees, expanding its membership to physicians from other countries, and focusing on the growing electrophysiological field, NASPE’s growth and success was assured. This began a new era of involvement and expansion into government policies, industry relations, and educations” said Jerry C. Griffin, MD, FHRS, CCDS, from San Francisco, California, of his tenure as the sixth president of the Society. During Griffin’s presidency, The Council of Allied Professionals was organized and international membership was expanded.

Paul C. Gillette, MD, FHRS, CCDS — 1986-1987

“NASPE should focus in the future as in the past on broad professional education and advocacy. We should try to maintain our ability to act quickly and effectively,” declares Paul Gillette, MD, FHRS, CCDS, currently of the Cook Children's Medical Center, Fort Worth, TX.

Gillette served as the seventh president of the Society and began his career as a pediatric cardiologist, quickly emerged as the founding father of pediatric intracardiac electrophysiology. Recognized as an international authority on arrhythmias and pacing in children, he has lectured on six of the seven continents teaching countless individuals.

Gillette also contributed important descriptions of normal and abnormal developmental electrophysiology in young patients, perfected tranvenous techniques and developed and continued refinement of guidelines for pacing in children. During Gillette’s tenure the first Examination of Special Competency for Physicians (NASPExAM) was administered. Gillette was also the recipient of the 1998 Pioneer in Cardiac Pacing and Electrophysiology Award from the Society.

Michael Bilitch, MD, FHRS — 1987

Dr. Michael Bilitch of Los Angeles, California, was nominated unanimously to be the tenth president of the Society and accepted his leadership role with great candor and humility. “Mike would be proud of the growth of NASPE, in particular its broad impact on education, its liaison with other peer organizations, and its influence on medical affairs and advocacy,” says Victor Parsonnet, MD, FHRS, CCDS of his good friend and colleague.

Not three weeks before his death he traveled cross-country, supervising the forthcoming NASPE meeting; he had accepted the obligations inherent in the tasks, and was determined to finish as much as possible. In early December 1987, Bilitch died after little more than a year from his cancer diagnosis, and yet he provided the organization with strong, committed leadership and dedication to the country’s premiere organization for cardiac pacing and electrophysiology.

Doris J. Escher, MD, FHRS — 1988

“Leading NASPE following Michael Bilitch’s death was bittersweet, but my history with NASPE provided the tools to serve knowledgeably and effectively. It was a labor of love,” recalls Doris J. Escher, MD, FHRS, ninth president of the Society and a prominent doctor from the Montefiore Medical Center in Bronx, New York.

During her presidency, the NASPE General Endowment Fund and the Michael Bilitch Endowment Fund were established. Following Escher’s term and because of her continued commitment to the Society’s mission, Escher was the recipient of the President’s Award in 1985 for her long standing service to the Society. She was named permanent Honorary Member of the Board of Trustees.

Melvin M. Scheinman, MD, FHRS — 1988-1989

“It has been a great pleasure for me to watch the growth and be part of this splendid organization. I feel proud to have served,” says former Society president Melvin M. Scheinman, MD, FHRS of his tenure as the tenth president of the organization.

During his term, Scheinman saw the Society reach 1,000 members and continue to grow as more interest developed for the cardiac pacing and electrophysiology field. The first Fellowship Training program listing was published and a Health Policy consultant to represent the Society was appointed during his term in office.

He received many distinguished awards including the Pioneer in Pacing and Electrophysiology Award from the Society (1996), as well as having the honor of presenting the plenary address at the 22nd Annual Scientific Sessions in 2001. In May 2009 at Heart Rhythm 2009, Scheinman will receive the Society's Distinguished Teacher Award.