Millennium Magazine_2ndEd

340 MILLENNIUM-SECOND EDITION A s a cardiologist, Dr. Ulrich Sigwart is responsible for treating disorders and diseases of the cardiovascular system. Born in Germany, Dr. Sigwart prepared for his career by earning a Doctor of Medicine from the University of Münster and a Doctor of Science in medicine from the University of Freiburg. He began sharpening his skills as an intern at the Community Hospital of Lörrach before immigrating to the United States, where he completed his residency at Framingham Union Hospital and a fellowship in cardiology at the Baylor College of Medicine. Dr. Sigwart began his professional career as chief of the catheterization laboratory at the Gollwitzer-Meier Institute from 1973 to 1979. He later became chief of invasive cardiology at the University Hospital in Lausanne, Switzerland. While at the University Hospital, he discovered the predictability of angioplasty, which significantly improved the procedure’s outcome and offered a chance to overcome problems such as abrupt closure and reoccurrence. He also introduced a nonsurgical intervention for the treatment of hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy that was learned and adapted by many professionals who traveled to Lausanne to observe his technique. He remained in that position for 10 years and soon after served the department of invasive cardiology at Royal Brompton Hospital as the director. In 2001, he returned to Switzerland, where he held the position of chief of cardiology at the University of Geneva. He retired five years later and was recognized as a professor emeritus. In addition to being known for his pioneering role in the conception and clinical use of vascular stents, Dr. Sigwart, along with his wife, is the founder of the Jonas Foundation, an organization helping young people find hope and perspective in life, fight social exclusion and violence, and promote cross-cultural dialogue through the arts. He has co-edited and authored several books and has contributed over 700 articles to professional journals. Dr. Sigwart continues seeing patients and attending interventions with colleagues. He was recently asked to do a write-up for the European Heart Journal. ULRICH SIGWART PROFESSOR EMERITUS, CARDIOLOGIST University of Geneva Geneva, Switzerland