For Bennett Salamon, MD, FACC, and his son Jason N. Salamon, MD, FACC, practicing medicine is something that runs in the family. Bennett, a cardiologist at Holy Cross Medical Group in Margate, FL, became a Fellow of the American College of Cardiology (FACC) at ACC’s Annual Convocation Ceremony in 1993 in Anaheim, CA.

Jason, a cardiologist at Morristown Medical Center in Morristown, NJ, was just a young boy at the time his father was honored with one of the most distinguished designations the College offers its members. Twenty-five years later, Jason shared this honor with his father as he took part in his own convocation ceremony and became an FACC during ACC.18 in Orlando, FL — with Bennett by his side. The Salamon father-son duo share how they began their careers in cardiology, how they have inspired each other along the way and what it felt like standing side-by-side at the convocation ceremony.

How did you each become interested in the field of cardiology?

Bennett: I first became interested in medicine during my elementary school’s annual science fair. There were various experiments and demonstrations displayed by my classmates. The most interesting one was a calf’s heart brought in by the son of a butcher. He was well versed in its anatomy and explained it to us in great detail. The following day, our science teacher brought the calf’s heart to class. She showed us the atria, ventricles, valves, etc. I remember thinking, “This makes sense.”

Jason: Despite having a father as a cardiologist, my fascination peaked during my first year of medical school at Albert Einstein College of Medicine in Bronx, NY. It was there that I was exposed to the intricacies and complexities of the cardiovascular system. I informally became involved with the ACC as a medical student and resident by attending ACC’s Annual Scientific Session. As a cardiovascular Fellow in Training (FIT), I became more formally involved by joining ACC’s New York FIT Chapter.

How have the two of you influenced each other within cardiology?

Bennett: I did not always think Jason would follow in my footsteps of being a cardiologist. When he was a young child, I was in solo practice and it was difficult to schedule time together. I sensed his frustration and was sure that he would stay far away from medicine. While my son might have looked up to me for his career, he has had many mentors along the way. And I have looked up to him myself. One night during his fellowship, the emergency department director of a large city hospital where Jason was working was sure he was holding an electrocardiogram that was an ST-elevation myocardial infarction. Jason insisted that he was wrong — and my son won that round.

Jason: My father has always been an inspiration to me, both personally and professionally. I grew up watching my father devote his time and resources towards caring for others at all hours of the day and night. As I started my own path in cardiology, he was there to guide me at each stage of my career. To this day, my father continues to be one of my biggest mentors.

Describe what the convocation ceremony was like during ACC.18.

Bennett: At this year’s convocation ceremony, I certainly felt like the old guy in a sea of young people. However, it was great to be able to share in my son’s moment as he became an FACC. It was all about him. It was moving and memorable to walk with Jason in the procession and recession for his convocation ceremony.

Jason: The convocation ceremony was a great opportunity to reflect on the accomplishments and achievements of others in the field, including my father. It gave me even more appreciation for what the ACC offers each individual cardiologist and the profession at large. I hope that through my membership in the ACC, I will continue to grow as a cardiologist and be a contributor to both the College and the field of cardiology for many years to come.

Keywords: ACC Publications, Cardiology Magazine, ACC18, ACC Annual Scientific Session, Schools, Medical, Students, Medical, Myocardial Infarction, Midazolam, Fellowships and Scholarships, Mentors, Fathers, Father-Child Relations, Electrocardiography, Empathy, Emotions, Hospitals, Urban, Private Practice, Cardiovascular System, Emergency Service, Hospital

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