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The Pulse of
Accomplishment
The Heart Rhythm Society is the international leader in science,
education and advocacy for cardiac arrhythmia professionals
and patients, and the primary resource for heart rhythm disorders.
Society members
include more than
5,100 healthcare
professionals from
72 countries.
Physicians
3,386
OUR MISSION
To improve the care of patients by promoting research, education
and optimal health care policies and standards.
Allied Professionals
1,256
Scientists
218
Emeritus
286
MEMBERSHIP
MEMBERSHIP GROWTH
• Nearly 900 new and reinstated members joined in the past year
• Membership increased 5 percent between 2008 and 2009
• 50 percent of members have joined in the last five years
Membership
Health Policy
Education
Heart Rhythm 2009
Heart Rhythm
Society Board
Heart Rhythm
Foundation
International Board
of Heart Rhythm
Examiners
Inifnity Circle
Engaging New Professionals
in the EP Community
Affiliate membership, supported
by a generous educational grant
from the Medtronic Corporation,
allows the Society to offer
complimentary membership to
all physicians and scientists who
are enrolled in electrophysiology
or cardiology fellowship training
programs. In 2008, the Society
served more than 300 affiliate
members and provided extended
services to enhance their training
experiences. In the first three
quarters of 2009, the program
gained 170 members.
New Fellows Inducted
The designation of Fellow
of the Heart Rhythm Society
(FHRS) is the highest and most
distinguished level of membership
that can be attained in the Society.
This professional distinction
and honor is reserved for those
persons who have demonstrated
an extensive commitment to
cardiac electrophysiology, pacing
and the Society’s mission. The
Society inducted 51 new Fellows
at Heart Rhythm 2009, bringing
the total number of Fellows to 305.
Member Spotlight
This year, the Society introduced
the Member Spotlight, which
provides a glimpse into the
experiences of our members
by profiling their careers and
accomplishments. In addition
to sharing their experiences,
those profiled also share how
they have benefited from Society
membership.
H EAR T R HYT HM S OCI E T Y — PULSE OF ACCOMPLISHMENT 2008 - 2009
Society Launches New
Career Center
The Heart Rhythm Society’s
Career Center offers career
development resources for
cardiac arrhythmia professionals,
including the latest job and
fellowship opportunities.
Positions are cross-listed in
the national Healthcare Career
Network, a group of more than
60 top healthcare associations
and professional organizations,
including more than 20 that are
focused on cardiovascular issues.
Additional sections include:
• Career & Practice Management
• Job Seeker Resources
• Research Funding
• Professional Opportunities
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HEALTH POLICY
• Congressional Resolution recognizes October as Sudden Cardiac
Arrest Awareness Month
• Eight new clinical documents developed
• ICD Registry Version 2.0 to launch in 2010
Membership
Health Policy
Education
Heart Rhythm 2009
Heart Rhythm
Society Board
Heart Rhythm
Foundation
International Board
of Heart Rhythm
Examiners
Inifnity Circle
Major Changes in Coding and
Reimbursement
The Society continues to work closely
with the Centers for Medicare and
Medicaid Services (CMS) to ensure
patient access to critical heart rhythm
procedures as well as adequate
reimbursement for those services.
Recently, the Society:
• Convinced CMS to retroactively
reverse National Correct Coding
Initiative (NCCI) edits implemented
on January 1, 2009 that prohibited
billing the professional component
of a 90-day remote monitoring
period for a pacemaker or
implantable cardioverter
defibrillator (ICD) service (93294
and 93295) with the technical
component of the service (93296).
• Convinced CMS to withdraw
proposed edits to bundle ablation
procedures (93650-93652) with EP
services for recording pacing and
evaluation (93600-93623).
• Met with CMS officials to discuss
concerns with the practice expenses
data detailed in the 2010 Medicare
Physician Fee Schedule Proposed
Rule.
• Met with CMS officials to discuss
revision of the National Coverage
Determination for Cardiac
Pacemaker Evaluation Services.
• Developed a guidance document
listing the conditions that warrant
inpatient admission for ICD and
cardiac resynchronization therapy
with defibrillator (CRT-D)
implantation to assist the members
with preparation for a Recovery
Audit Contractor (RAC) program
audit. The Society also met with
CMS officials to present our
guidance document and ask that
RAC reviewers consider those
criteria when auditing ICD and
CRT-D implantation procedures.
• Convinced a joint workgroup of the
American Medical Association
CPT® Editorial Panel and the RVS
H EAR T R HYT HM S OCI E T Y — PULSE OF ACCOMPLISHMENT 2008 - 2009
Update Committee (RUC) that
bundling comprehensive electrophysiologic evaluation (93620) and
the code for left atrial pacing and
recording (+93621) into a single
service was not necessary as there is
no duplication in work values.
• Created a new coding structure for
device monitoring services, which
includes 20 new implantable device
codes and three new wearable
device codes.
Quality Improvement
and Outcomes
One of the Society’s top priorities in its
new strategic plan (effective October
2009) is preparing the field of
electrophysiology for the shift toward
an outcome-based payment system.
In order to move toward this goal:
• The Society partnered with other
organizations in organizing a
meeting titled Safety Evaluation of
Continued
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HEALTH POLICY
Continued
Membership
Health Policy
Education
Heart Rhythm 2009
Heart Rhythm
Society Board
Heart Rhythm
Foundation
International Board
of Heart Rhythm
Examiners
Inifnity Circle
Atrial Fibrillation Ablation Using a
Collaborative-Stakeholder Critical Path
Registry Model, where more than
100 atrial fibrillation (AF) experts
representing the federal
government, professional societies,
academics and industry
participated. This meeting was the
first step toward the creation of an
AF Ablation Registry.
• The Society participated in the
development of quality measures
related to heart rhythm disorders
such as the ICD complication and
heart failure measures.
• The ICD Longitudinal Study
launched in the early fall of 2009.
This observational cohort study will
examine the appropriateness,
effectiveness and safety of ICD
therapy in approximately 3,500
patients who have received an ICD
for the primary prevention of
sudden cardiac death. For the first
time, longitudinal outcomes among
this patient population will be
followed and assessed.
• The Society became a member
of the National Quality Forum
(NQF). NQF is recognized as the
primary entity for validating
performance measures.
Legislative Activities
• Throughout the health care reform
debate in Congress, the Society
continues to advocate on behalf
of its members to protect patient
access to heart rhythm specialists
and to ensure high quality care.
• The Society led the effort to get
Congress to designate the month of
October as National Sudden
Cardiac Arrest Awareness Month on
an annual basis.
• The Society advocated for inclusion
of language urging National Heart,
Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI)
to allocate more funding toward
heart rhythm disorders research in
the report that accompanied the
2010 Labor, Health & Education
Appropriations legislation.
Eight New Clinical Documents
Developed/Endorsed by the
Society in 2008 and 2009
• EHRA/HRS Expert Consensus on
Catheter Ablation of Ventricular
Arrhythmias (May 2009)
• Recommendations from the Heart
Rhythm Society Task Force on Lead
Performance Policies and Guidelines
(May 2009)
• Expert Consensus Statement on Lead
Extraction in Patients with
Cardiovascular Implantable Electronic
Devices (May 2009)
• Occupational Health Hazards in the
Interventional Laboratory: Time for a
H EAR T R HYT HM S OCI E T Y — PULSE OF ACCOMPLISHMENT 2008 - 2009
Safer Environment (February 2009)
• Heart Rhythm Society Policy Statement
Update: Recommendations on the Role of
Industry Employed Allied Professionals
(October 2008)
• ACC/AHA/HRS 2008 Guidelines for
Device-Based Therapy of Cardiac
Rhythm Abnormalities (May 2008)
• Heart Rhythm Society/Pediatric and
Congenital Electrophysiology Society
Clinical Competency Statement:
Training pathways for implantation of
cardioverter-defibrillators and cardiac
resynchronization therapy devices in
pediatric and congenital heart patients
(May 2008)
• HRS/EHRA Expert Consensus on the
Monitoring of Cardiovascular
Implantable Electronic Devices:
Description of Techniques, Indications,
Personnel, Frequency and Ethical
Considerations
(May 2008)
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EDUCATION
• More than 1,150 Reality EP webcast participants
• New resources added to AF and SCA 360° Resource Centers
• New Allied Professional Regional Programs launched in 2008
Membership
Health Policy
Education
Heart Rhythm 2009
Heart Rhythm
Society Board
Heart Rhythm
Foundation
International Board
of Heart Rhythm
Examiners
Inifnity Circle
New Education Initiatives
and Programs
In its continuing effort to enhance the
ability of heart rhythm specialists
worldwide to provide excellent
patient care throughout their careers,
the Society is using innovative
teaching methods and advanced
technologies to provide superior
year-round education. In addition, the
Society’s Co-Sponsored and Endorsed
Education Program collaborated with
more than 40 national and
international programs.
Live Courses/Programs
Through a generous grant from
Boston Scientific, 70 scholarships were
provided to Clinical Cardiac
Electrophysiology (CCEP) fellows-intraining to attend the 2008 Board
Review Course in Chicago, IL. All
recipients had to complete their
training program in 2007 or 2008 and
register for the ABIM Boards in 2008.
In 2009, the number of scholarships
increased to 100.
AP Regional Programs
In 2008, the Society launched the first
in a series of one-day regional
programs aimed at bringing together
allied professionals from various
regions of the United States to discuss
current practices and trends within
the heart rhythm community.
Programs were held in 2008 and 2009
in New Haven, CT; Scottsdale, AZ;
Washington, DC; Des Moines, IA and
Portland, OR. Additional programs
are planned for 2010.
leading EP medical professionals. So
far, the Society has completed four
programs with more than 1,150
domestic and international viewers.
New programs for this series are
planned for 2010 and archived
programs can be viewed online at
www.HRSonline.org.
Continued
Distance Education
The Society continued to offer
valuable distance education programs
through the Reality EP program. This
series of free live webcasts features
state-of-the-art procedures in CCEP
with commentary by the world’s
H EAR T R HYT HM S OCI E T Y — PULSE OF ACCOMPLISHMENT 2008 - 2009
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EDUCATION
Continued
Membership
Health Policy
Education
Heart Rhythm 2009
Heart Rhythm
Society Board
Heart Rhythm
Foundation
Society Contributes Editorial
Content and Information to
Cardiosource
The American College of Cardiology
Foundation (ACCF) and the Heart
Rhythm Society have collaborated
to offer unparalleled access to the
Arrhythmias and Atrial Fibrillation
Clinical Collections of
Cardiosource, the ACC’s online
portal for cardiovascular news,
information and education at
www.cardiosource.com. The
Society contributes to ACCF’s
editorial content and information
posted in the Cardiosource
Arrhythmias and AF Clinical
Collections. Society volunteer
Kenneth Ellenbogen, MD, FHRS,
serves as the guest editor for both
Clinical Collections.
Society Launches New AF 360°
and SCA 360° Resource Centers
The Heart Rhythm Society’s 360°
disease state initiatives represent
an unparalleled commitment to
achieving its mission by engaging
healthcare professionals, payers,
government agencies and
patient advocates.
The AF 360° and SCA 360° Resource
Centers provide cardiology and EP
professionals with the tools to
enhance their clinical knowledge of
heart rhythm disorders and to manage
CME and CE activities online.
Sections include:
• Learning Center
• Health Policy
• News & Events
• Patient Resources
International Board
of Heart Rhythm
Examiners
Inifnity Circle
H EAR T R HYT HM S OCI E T Y — PULSE OF ACCOMPLISHMENT 2008 - 2009
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HEART
RHYTHM 2009
Membership
Health Policy
Education
Heart Rhythm 2009
Heart Rhythm
Society Board
Heart Rhythm
Foundation
International Board
of Heart Rhythm
Examiners
Inifnity Circle
• Poster Town, developed to highlight the latest scientific advancements
• Leading scientist J. Craig Venter, Ph.D. delivers keynote address
Heart Rhythm 2009 in Boston, MA
brought together leading experts from
around the globe to collaborate and
share today’s scientific innovations
to meet tomorrow’s challenges.
The Society was honored to have
pioneering and thought-provoking
scientific researcher J. Craig Venter,
Ph.D., one of the leading scientists of
the 21st century, kick off this year’s
Opening Plenary Session.
In addition to more than 200
educational sessions, a number of
new programs and events were added
in 2009, including: an updated poster
presentation area (Poster Town), a
new debate format (Ideas on Trial),
Fellows Boot Camp Program, two
Allied Professionals Forums and
a Basic Science Forum (presented
in partnership with the Cardiac
Electrophysiology Society). The
popular AF Summit, featuring a
jointly-sponsored session with the
American Association of Thoracic
Surgeons, also returned in 2009.
Heart Rhythm 2010 will be held
May 12-15 in Denver, CO.
Attendee Profile
WORK ENVIRONMENT
OCCUPATION
50% Hospital or
Academic Institution
24% Private Practice
14% Industry
5% Multi-Discipline
7% Other
69% Physician
23% Allied Health Professional
8% Scientist
H EAR T R HYT HM S OCI E T Y — PULSE OF ACCOMPLISHMENT 2008 - 2009
70 percent of Heart Rhythm
attendees are domestic and
30 percent are international
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HEART RHYTHM
SOCIETY BOARD
Membership
Health Policy
Education
Heart Rhythm 2009
Heart Rhythm
Society Board
Heart Rhythm
Foundation
International Board
of Heart Rhythm
Examiners
Inifnity Circle
BOARD APPROVES NEW STRATEGIC PLAN
The Heart Rhythm Society’s new Strategic Plan went into effect on
October 1, 2009. The plan was approved by the Board of Trustees
in January and encompasses a three to five year planning horizon.
It includes a core ideology with a focus on five goal areas.
Big Audacious Goal: End Death
and Suffering due to Heart
Rhythm Disorders
• Education—The Society’s educational
opportunities targeting healthcare
professionals will improve the health
of patients with or at risk
of heart rhythm disorders
• Patients and Caregivers—The Society
is the recognized leading source of
information for patients and their
caregivers for heart rhythm disorders
• Health Policy—The Society will
ensure patient access to high quality
heart rhythm care and advocate
for a productive and sustainable
work environment for heart
rhythm professionals
• Research—The Society will be the
preeminent organization for promoting
research to end death and suffering
from heart rhythm disorders
• Fiscal Management—The Society will
maintain a fiscally responsible model
that advances its strategic plan
2009-2010
OFFICERS
Richard L. Page, MD, FHRS
President
Bruce D. Lindsay, MD, FHRS,
CCDS
2nd Past President
Douglas L. Packer, MD, FHRS
President-Elect
John D. Day, MD, FHRS
Bruce L. Wilkoff, MD, FHRS, CCDS
1st Vice-President
Anne M. Gillis, MD, FHRS
2nd Vice-President
Hugh Calkins, MD, FHRS, CCDS
Secretary
TRUSTEES
Aileen M. Ferrick, ACNP, FHRS
Richard I. Fogel, MD, FHRS,
CCDS
Richard A. Friedman, MD, MBA,
FHRS, CCDS
Leonard I. Ganz, MD, FHRS
John P. DiMarco, MD, Ph.D., FHRS
Treasurer
Michael R. Gold, MD, Ph.D.,
FHRS
N.A. Mark Estes III, MD, FHRS,
CCDS
Immediate Past-President
George J. Klein, MD
H EAR T R HYT HM S OCI E T Y — PULSE OF ACCOMPLISHMENT 2008 - 2009
David S. Rosenbaum, MD,
FHRS
Cynthia M. Tracy, MD
David J. Wilber, MD, FHRS,
CCDS
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HEART RHYTHM
FOUNDATION
HEART RHYTHM FOUNDATION
• The Furman Fund awards two scholarships
• Rhythms in Time exhibit receives $25,000 grant
Membership
Health Policy
Education
Heart Rhythm 2009
Heart Rhythm
Society Board
Heart Rhythm
Foundation
International Board
of Heart Rhythm
Examiners
Inifnity Circle
The Heart Rhythm Foundation
enhances the prevention and
treatment of cardiac rhythm disorders
by supporting the research, education
and advocacy efforts of the Heart
Rhythm Society with the goal of
promoting a culture of giving in
service to this mission.
Furman Fund Travel
Scholarships Established
The Furman Fund was established
to honor the memory and continue
the vision of Seymour Furman, MD,
FHRS (1931-2006), a founding
member and past president of the
Heart Rhythm Society (NASPE),
founder and past president of IBHRE
(NASPExAM) and founder and chair
of the Oral History Committee. His
professional life embodied the
mission of the Society and Foundation
to improve the care of patients by
promoting research, education and
optimal health care policies and
standards. Furman’s professional life
was one of intense curiosity,
continuous learning and bold
innovation.
In 2009, The Furman Fund
established traveling scholarships
that allowed two third-year residents
and cardiology fellows interested in
pursuing electrophysiology
research, either in academic or private
practice, to attend the Annual
Scientific Sessions.
Fifth Annual Skate-a-Thon
HeartSkate benefits the
Foundation
• Volunteers Eric Prystowsky,
MD, FHRS and Douglas Zipes,
MD, FHRS increase pledge
commitments to support
Society endowments
• The Heart Rhythm Foundation
acquires Dr. Furman’s extensive
device and pacemaker collection
In addition to The Furman Fund,
the Foundation also continues to find
other ways to raise funds and
promote awareness on behalf of
the Society, including:
• Hubbard Broadcasting
Foundation recognizes the
Foundation’s Rhythms in Time
Exhibit with a $25,000 grant
• High school donates $1,000:
H EAR T R HYT HM S OCI E T Y — PULSE OF ACCOMPLISHMENT 2008 - 2009
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INTERNATIONAL
BOARD OF
HEART RHYTHM
EXAMINERS
IBHRE CONTINUES INTERNATIONAL GROWTH
• Forged relationships to develop new exams in Europe and Asia
• Japanese-language exam administered to more than
600 allied professionals
• Announced new recertification policy
Membership
Health Policy
Education
Heart Rhythm 2009
Heart Rhythm
Society Board
Heart Rhythm
Foundation
International Board
of Heart Rhythm
Examiners
Inifnity Circle
The International Board of Heart
Rhythm Examiners (IBHRE)
continues to expand its exam
offerings to international
candidates worldwide. This year
marked the second year that
IBHRE certification exams were
administered through computerbased testing, in order to
accommodate a greater number of
certification candidates. In a
cooperative effort to develop
customized examinations to suit
the needs of international
healthcare systems, IBHRE forged
relationships with the Italian
Society of Pacing and
Arrythmology (AIAC) and the
Chinese Society for Pacing and
Electrophysiology (CSPE). The
second offering of the Japaneselanguage exam was administered
to 619 allied professionals in Japan
yielding a 57.69 percent pass rate.
In addition, IBHRE:
• Created a new marketing
brochure to further promote the
IBHRE Certification Program
and encourage physicians and
allied professionals to take the
exam
• Submitted an official application
to the American National
Standards Institute (ANSI) to
obtain accreditation under ISO
Standard 17024 for Personnel
Certification Programs
• Implemented a new
Recertification Policy to
encourage continued
competency and professional
development maintenance
• Formed a new group of EP
Test Writing Committee
members to begin work on the
creation of an international EP
exam for physicians
H EAR T R HYT HM S OCI E T Y — PULSE OF ACCOMPLISHMENT 2008 - 2009
• Continued to see an increase
in the use and visibility of the
new CCDS and CEPS
designations for further
promotion of the IBHRE brand
and certification program
• Began work to launch the sale of
branded attire bearing the
IBHRE certification logos
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INFINITY
CIRCLE
INFINITY CIRCLE SUPPORTERS MAKE PROGRAMS POSSIBLE
The Heart Rhythm Society’s Infinity Circle program recognizes our
ongoing supporters’ significant contributions and the importance
of their role in furthering the mission of the Society and the cardiac
arrhythmia profession.
Membership
Health Policy
Education
Heart Rhythm 2009
Heart Rhythm
Society Board
Heart Rhythm
Foundation
International Board
of Heart Rhythm
Examiners
Inifnity Circle
Infinity Circle members help fund
a wide range of Heart Rhythm
Society initiatives and programs,
which lead to increased diagnosis,
treatment and the overall
improvement of care for patients
with heart rhythm disorders. Visit
the Society website at www.
HRSonline.org to view the current
Infinity Circle members.
Thanks to the generous support of
the Infinity Circle members, the
following programs were possible:
• 29th Annual Scientific Sessions
• Board Review Course
• Advanced Ablation Course
• Ablation Roundtable Pilot
• Allied Professional
Regional Programs
• Research Fellowships
• Affiliate Membership Program
• AF 360° Disease State Initiative
and Online Resource Center
• AF Summit Update at Heart
Rhythm 2008
• Catheter and Surgical Ablation
Pocket Guide
• CHADS2 Risk Assessment
Pocket Guide
• On-demand Case Studies
• Virtual Hands-On Presentations
• Practical Rate and Rhythm
Management Pocket Guide
• SCA 360° Disease State Initiative
and Online Resource Center
• SCA 360° Patient Toolkit and
Professional Resources
• Sudden Cardiac Arrest Coalition
• National SCA Awareness Month
Congressional Resolution
• VT/VF Summit at Heart
Rhythm 2008
• Reality EP Webcast Series
• Women’s Leadership Initiative
H EAR T R HYT HM S OCI E T Y — PULSE OF ACCOMPLISHMENT 2008 - 2009
“For three decades, the Heart Rhythm
Society has been dedicated to advancing
the field of electrophysiology and
improving the care of patients with heart
rhythm disorders. Our passion drives our
efforts to promote research, education and
optimal healthcare policies and standards.
Leaders in industry share this passion and
strive to further those same goals. For
their tremendous efforts, and their
generous support of our work, we are
infinitely grateful.”
–James H. Youngblood, CEO
Heart Rhythm Society
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