Heartbeat International Foundation President Recognized by HRS for Increasing Device Access to Underprivileged Patients
Inaugural Global Humanitarian Award Emphasizes Joint Efforts from HBI and BIOTRONIK to Improve Heart Rhythm Care in Underserved Patient Populations
Heartbeat International (HBI) Foundation President Dr. Benedict S. Maniscalco will be honored with the Heart Rhythm Society (HRS) Global Humanitarian Award at this year’s Scientific Sessions. Dr. Maniscalco, the first-ever recipient of this award, is being honored for leading HBI as Chairman since 2003 and now as President.
HBI maintains a network of heart centers around the world where patients who otherwise could not afford devices such as pacemakers or implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs) can receive lifesaving care. HBI coordinates medical staff at these centers to perform implantations of donated devices and provide follow-up care. Since first partnering with HBI in 2010, BIOTRONIK has donated more than 9,000 devices, including pacemakers, ICDs, leads and programmers.
“I’m very proud that we’ve been able to help save approximately 16,000 lives around the world since we were first founded in 1984,” said Dr. Maniscalco. “Whether it’s the physicians and volunteers at our heart centers, our US-based staff, or our partners at BIOTRONIK, we are a dedicated team making our mission of saving lives happen. I’m very grateful to them and to the Heart Rhythm Society for recognizing that work.”
The HRS Global Humanitarian Award provides recognition to a healthcare professional who has demonstrated commitment to humanitarian work to improve heart rhythm care and increase accessibility to care in underserved patient populations. The award will be presented during the HRS Awards and Recognition Ceremony on Friday, May 10, at 6:15 p.m. in the Moscone Center in San Francisco, California.
“This is a very special HRS event for our partners at HBI as well as for BIOTRONIK,” said Ryan Walters, President of BIOTRONIK, Inc. “Just as it is for HBI, saving lives is our core mission at BIOTRONIK. It’s been a privilege to help them carry out that mission for all patients. Dr. Maniscalco sets a very high standard as the inaugural recipient of the HRS Global Humanitarian Award.”
At BIOTRONIK, patient well-being is our top priority and has been for 60 years. BIOTRONIK is a leading global medical technology company with products and services that save and improve the lives of millions suffering from heart and blood vessel diseases. Driven by a purpose to perfectly match technology with the human body, we are dedicated innovators who develop trusted cardiovascular and endovascular solutions. BIOTRONIK is headquartered in Berlin, Germany, and is represented in over 100 countries.