By Roxanna Van Norman

Eldrin F. Lewis, MD, MPH, the Simon H. Stertzer, MD, Professor of Medicine and Chief of the Division of Cardiovascular Medicine at Stanford University School of Medicine, has been named president of the American Heart Association (AHA) for the Western States region. He will serve his term beginning July 1, 2024.

“I am deeply honored to become the next president of the AHA Western States board of directors. This role enables me to serve all seven states in our region and highlight the mission of the AHA to be a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives,” says Dr. Lewis. “This starts at prevention and to address eight essential ways to reduce cardiovascular burden, including smoking/vaping cessation, control of blood pressure, blood sugar, and cholesterol, prevention of obesity and improved weight loss, increased physical activity, healthier diet, and getting adequate sleep.”

Dr. Lewis is an esteemed clinician-scientist specializing in caring for patients with advanced heart failure. He is internationally recognized for his expertise in heart failure, heart transplants, and enhancing the quality of life for heart failure patients. In his role, he will steer the regional activities and align closely with the association's mission of advancing cardiovascular health.

“I have been involved in multiple aspects of the AHA. While we are a research-focused organization, the AHA does so much more, including training the community, improving health, advocacy, and education,” says Dr. Lewis. “One of our main priorities will be focused on increasing the translation of science to improved cardiovascular outcomes, training people in CPR to improve the chance of survival in an out of hospital cardiac arrest, and improving health equity in our communities.”

Dr. Lewis earned his medical degree from the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania and a Master of Public Health in Clinical Effectiveness from the Harvard School of Public Health. He completed his postdoctoral training at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston, including his internship, residency, and clinical fellowships in cardiovascular medicine and advanced heart failure and transplant.

Dr. Lewis's career as a researcher and clinical physician focuses on preventing heart failure, managing advanced stages of cardiovascular disease, and finding a balance between prolonging life and preserving quality of life. His research has received support from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute and the National Institutes of Health, as well as a grant from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.

An active member of the AHA, Dr. Lewis has held various leadership roles, including serving as the chair of the Scientific Publishing Committee. He previously served as an associate editor for the Circulation: Heart Failure journal, a member of the Association's Founders Affiliate Board of Directors, and chair of the Council on Clinical Cardiology. He was honored with the AHA's 2022 Clinical Research Prize, reflecting his clinical research in patient-reported outcomes and clinical trials.

Dr. Lewis and his team collaborate closely with specialists across various specialties, including heart experts from the Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery. Stanford Health Care ranks among the top hospitals nationwide for cardiology, heart, and vascular surgery, according to the ‘Best Hospitals’ rankings by U.S. News & World Report.