ATLANTA - Ralph Brindis, M.D., M.P.H., F.A.C.C., the Regional Senior Advisor for Cardiovascular Diseases for Kaiser Permanente in Oakland, CA and Clinical Professor of Medicine at the University of California, San Francisco, was elected President of the American College of Cardiology (ACC) at the 59th Annual Scientific Session of the ACC, held in Atlanta, GA.

Dr. Brindis is a practicing Kaiser Permanente Medical Group invasive cardiologist with an active practice of consultative cardiology. In addition, his work in process measures and outcomes assessment in cardiovascular disease has led him to assist in the creation and implementation of various Cardiovascular Guidelines for Northern California Kaiser. He presently serves on the Northern California TPMG Cardiac Oversight leadership Team (COLT) and is the Co-Chair of the Northern California Kaiser Cardiovascular Technology Committee.

“I’m honored for the trust my colleagues have placed in me to lead the College at this important time,” said Brindis. “It’s my hope that throughout the next year we can promote the patient-cardiovascular specialist relationship as the nation pursues healthcare reform while we further improve our delivery of high quality cardiovascular care through the strengthening of the ACC’s science-based appropriate use criteria and our cardiovascular data registries.” 

Dr. Brindis has been active in ACC activities for over 15 years, serving previously as the ACC Governor of Northern California and as President of the California Chapter of the ACC. Dr. Brindis was Chief Medical Officer and Chair of the National Cardiovascular Data Registry (NCDR®) Management Board and also chaired the ACC Appropriateness Oversight Task Force developing Appropriate Use Criteria for non-invasive testing and coronary revascularization procedures. He is the past Chair of the ACC Quality Strategic Directions Committee. Brindis was the 2007 recipient of the national ACC Distinguished Fellow Award. Brindis is an active volunteer in the AHA serving on the Western Affiliate Mission Lifeline Task Force. He is the Past Chief of the Cardiac Service Line (1999-2003) and an Assistant Physician-in-Chief (2001-2003) at San Francisco Kaiser. Brindis previously served on the California Affiliate AHA Board and as the President of the AHA San Francisco Division.

Dr. Brindis graduated MIT in 1970 and obtained a Master's Degree in Public Health from UCLA in 1972. He graduated Emory Medical School Summa Cum Laude in 1977. He completed his residency and was Chief Resident in Internal Medicine and a Cardiology Fellow at UCSF.

Dr. Brindis is married to Dr. Claire Brindis, Director of the Philip R. Lee Institute for Health Policy Studies and the Director of the Bixby Center for Global Reproductive Health, both at the University of California San Francisco. Their son Daniel is a practicing environmental lawyer in Washington DC, son Seth is completing his Emergency Pediatrics Fellowship at UCLA Harbor Hospital, daughter-in-law Stephanie is on the faculty in the Department of Education at UC Irvine and their granddaughter Violet is an active pre-schooler. 

 ###

About the ACC:
The American College of Cardiology is leading the way to optimal cardiovascular care and disease prevention. The College is a 37,000-member nonprofit medical society and bestows the credential Fellow of the American College of Cardiology upon physicians who meet its stringent qualifications. The College is a leader in the formulation of health policy, standards and guidelines, and is a staunch supporter of cardiovascular research. The ACC provides professional education and operates national registries for the measurement and improvement of quality care. More information about the association is available online atwww.acc.org .