After 28 years as chief of cardiology at the University of Arizona's College of Medicine, Dr. Gordon A. Ewy is stepping down.
UA professor of medicine Dr. Karl B. Kern has been appointed acting chief.
Ewy, 76, is not retiring, though. He'll remain as director of the University of Arizona Sarver Heart Center and continue his active practice of seeing cardiology patients, as well as continuing his research, writing and lecturing in cardiac resuscitation.
Ewy's last day as cardiology chief was Wednesday.
Ewy had been the longest active chief of cardiology of any medical school in the United States, UA officials say. His job included overseeing cardiology education for medical students and residents. He also oversaw a specialized cardiology fellowship program that receives about 400 applicants for five positions each year.
"It's solely through Gordon's efforts that the Sarver Heart Center was created," said Dr. Thomas Boyer, head of the UA's Department of Medicine, on Thursday. "He's led the cardiology section for more than two decades and has really built an outstanding section with a national and international reputation. … Everything he does is with unbounded enthusiasm for his discipline."
Ewy has been with the UA College of Medicine since 1969.
"It's just time to slow down a bit," said Ewy, who travels around the country educating medical professionals about chest compression CPR, a technique he helped develop. "Our CPR research, writing articles and lecturing and traveling, that will continue. There's plenty for me to do."
The chest compression "hands only" technique has been credited with dramatically increasing survival rates and decreasing brain damage in adults rescued by paramedics after suffering sudden cardiac arrest.
"We've trained a majority of the cardiologists in town," Ewy said of the cardiology section. "It really requires a lot of effort. I did it almost effortlessly for 28 years. But about a year ago, I had a back operation and a hip operation. … It was getting to be a little more difficult."
“In my experience, I’ve seen that the best leaders are those who combine integrity, compassion, knowledge, commitment and vision to bring out the best in other people. Karl embodies these qualities, and I’m delighted that he will lead our internationally renowned cardiology section at this point in time,” Ewy said.
Kern is professor of medicine and chair of the Sarver Heart Center Resuscitation Research Group, director of the Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory at University Medical Center, and director of the Interventional Cardiology Fellowship Program. He will retain these duties as well. He's worked with Ewy since he was a resident.
SOURCES: Tucson Citizen and UA Press Release