Save A Heart Foundation History

Save A Heart Foundation was established by Dr. Yzhar Charuzi in 1980 to fulfill a revolutionary concept: scientific research, a field that had long been the purview of academicians, should be opened up to practicing physicians who wished to pursue it.

In the 1970's the Israeli born and trained Dr. Charuzi was on the full time Medical Staff at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. Echocardiography, the first medical application of ultrasound was a new technology and as a consulting cardiologist, Dr. Charuzi was eager to study its potential. However, at that time attending physicians were restricted to working with laboratory animals and access to Cedars-Sinai's echocardiography equipment, located in the Cardiac Intensive Care Unit, was limited.

Increasingly frustrated with the forced exclusion from research opportunities, Dr. Charuzi and his colleague, eminent cardiologist Dr. William Ganz, took a step that would challenge to the status quo. They would buy an echo machine and conduct research on their own terms. It would prove to be a groundbreaking move that changed established procedures.

There were major hurdles to overcome. They not only had to fight the resistance of much of the medical community, they had to find the money to purchase the expensive equipment. Dr. James Forrester, Director of the CSMC Cardiovascular Institute who would become the project's "spiritual advisor," encouraged Dr. Charuzi to establish a foundation and pursue private funds. Colleagues and friends at Cedars-Sinai were eager to contribute their time and expertise. Drs. Clarence M. Agress and S. Rexford Kennamer raised funds for the specialized equipment and a friend, Joseph Wallach, donated the money for a much-needed research assistant. CS Board member Maurice Levy wrote the organization's by-laws.

Save A Heart Foundation was launched in 1980. After six years of planning Dr. Charuzi's so-called "special project," to provide new research opportunities was underway. The late Charles Taub, an early SAHF Board member, handled day-to-day management. Board members Seymour Nadelman and the late Sam Bergman dealt with the predictable problems encountered during the Foundation's early years; Richard Barrett arranged for renowned film director Howard Koch to produce and direct a docu-drama about the Foundation.

Soon after its inauguration Save A Heart Foundation mission expanded to include research fellowship opportunities. Young physicians eager for research positions who applied to Cedars-Sinai's Division of Cardiology were referred to SAHF. The early fellowships went to doctors from the U.S., Japan, and Macau conducting research in Echocardiography. By 1987, Israel had become the primary source of research fellows. "We decided that by concentrating on Israeli physicians, we could contribute to Israel becoming a major regional cardiology center with a unique relationship with Cedars-Sinai," Dr. Charuzi explained. The fellowship program's structure was innovative. SAHF would oversee the fellows' professional development from the selection process through training to the presentation of their research papers. Most visionary was the promise of an appropriate position in Israel's medical community awaiting the graduate fellows upon their return home.

While originally an independent organization, SAHF became an official affiliated support group of CSMC in 1989 facilitating its ability to support cardiac research at the medical center. Requests for SAHF research fellowships increased as applicants in an array of cardiology sub-specialties applied to the program. SAHF stepped up its fund raising efforts the meet the demand. The first event, "Heart of the West," a family barbeque hosted by the Ron Semler Family was held at the rustic Saddlerock Ranch in Malibu in 1984. By 1986 the foundation created the annual Heart Saver Award Gala to honor distinguished members of the medical and lay communities. An elegant evening of dining and entertainment, it would become the organization's signature event and main source of funding. The gala's creative force was Martin Shapiro, SAHF Board member and former Board Chairman, who applied entertainment industry experience to producing the gala for many years. The galas have been greatly successful and the roster of Heart Saver Award winners reads like a "Who's-Who" of eminent physicians, business leaders and entertainers.

It is impossible to tell the Save A Heart Foundation story without noting its generous sponsors. Many of the researchers carry the designation "Lillian Goldstein Fellows" or "Zimmer Family Foundation Fellows." The titles reflect the support of donors whose commitment to the organization allowed it to flourish. The Zimmer family that paid for Nuclear Cardiology fellowships and the late Mrs. Goldstein who sponsored full fellowships each donated full one-year fellowships for an unprecedented ten years. Mrs. Asya Kogan's generosity sponsors the current two-year fellowship in pediatric congenital heart disease. Maxine Dunitz gave fellowships for several years in memory of her late husband Jerry; Uri Harkham sponsored another. Their generosity was critical to SAHF's research endeavors. The late Ron Gordon was extraordinarily helpful to the Foundation as were Sheri Drobnick who graciously organized special events and Celia Davidson Farkas who befriended the fellows and their families.

Equally important to the SAHF story is the late Dr. Leo Kaplan, former chairman of the CSMC Department of Pathology. "It took a long while to convince Leo to come on board," Dr. Charuzi recalls, "but of course he became one of our greatest enthusiasts!" Dr. Kaplan tirelessly promoted the organization inventing novel fundraising tools and introducing new sources of support. He wholeheartedly endorsed the organization's mission and accomplishments. As Executive Director of SAHF his tremendous administrative skills and day-to-day management of the organization made him an indispensable asset.

Save A Heart Foundation is proud of the talented and diverse fellows who have participated in the training program. Since the Foundation's inception SAHF fellows have conducted research in all areas of cardiology, stroke prevention and pediatric congenital heart disease. They have advanced Cedars-Sinai Medical Center's research productivity and contributed to new technologies such as the development of a new laser catheter to open blocked heart arteries. Save A Heart Foundation fellows have become a key part of Cedars-Sinai's research programs and have helped bring international recognition to the Medical Center.

SAHF has also made profound contributions to Israeli cardiology. The fellows entered the program to do research and returned home with vastly enhanced clinical skills having been exposed to Cedars-Sinai's diverse patient population and state-of-the-art technologies. In 1993 Israel's Ministry of Health created the country's first nuclear cardiology unit under the leadership of a SAHF graduate; other alumni pioneered nuclear cardiology programs in Jerusalem and Haifa. SAHF fellows helped develop Israel's nascent heart transplantation program; they were among the country's first surgical cardiologists, electrophysiologists and pioneered the highly advanced technology of interventional cardiology. "Our fellows have brought advanced knowledge and experience to their institutions and communities," says Dr. Charuzi. The alumni continue to network with their mentors, maintaining a continuous exchange of cardiology information between CSMC and Israel.

There is also a strong community education component to Save A Heart Foundation's work. In an effort to promote heart health the foundation created an innovative program of free community health symposia. One of the first of its kind, the program gives the public unique access to current scientific developments in cardiac disease prevention and treatment. Fittingly, the organization's premier symposium was a demonstration by Dr. Charuzi of the echo machine that led to the Foundation's creation. Since then prominent medical experts have informed our audiences about cutting-edge advances in cardiology, nutrition, women's health, diabetes, stroke and most recently, stem cell research.

As the organization continues to advance cutting-edge developments in cardiology Dr. Charuzi points to the many sponsors, Board members, mentors, staff, volunteers and friends to whom Save A Heart Foundation owes its existence. "It was a miracle that we were able to get off the ground at all," he says. "I look forward to continuing the tradition of outstanding contributions to cardiovascular care at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center."

SAHF REMEMBERS

Save A Heart would like to acknowledge the contributions of those in the SAHF family that have died. A permanent light is lit for each of those listed below in the SAHF offices.