May 7, 2007 — Steven E. Nissen, M.D., chairman of the Department of Cardiovascular Medicine at Cleveland Clinic, and immediate past president of the American College of Cardiology, has been named one of the 100 Most Influential People by Time magazine. He will be featured among other "Scientists and Thinkers."
Known internationally for his research into methods to reduce the progression of coronary artery disease, Dr. Nissen has dedicated his career to providing a greater understanding of the biology of heart disease. He has also served as an outspoken advocate on public health and policy matters. Dr. Nissen recently testified before Congress on drug safety and FDA reform, calling for major changes in drug development and post-marketing surveillance.
Well-known by media outlets to have a policy of not accepting honoraria from industry, but instead, directing all such payments to charity, Dr. Nissen has evolved as a credible resource for comment on many emerging science and health policy issues.
"The recognition of Steve's talents and accomplishments by Time magazine is a great honor and a testament to Cleveland Clinic's strength as one of the nation's top hospitals and no. 1 heart center," said Delos M. "Toby" Cosgrove, M.D. CEO and president of Cleveland Clinic. "We are proud that the research and physician accomplishments at Cleveland Clinic, such as those exemplified by Steve Nissen, are furthering the realm of what is possible in medicine today."
For his part, Dr. Nissen says working with the depth and breadth of talent and research at Cleveland Clinic has opened many doors.
"The stature of Cleveland Clinic and our historical significance in the advancement of cardiovascular medicine has provided me with the opportunity to engage in a national forum," Dr. Nissen. "The recognition by Time magazine is a reflection of the great team of people I work with in bringing innovative cardiovascular research to fruition to provide patients with the very best of care."
Dr. Nissen joined Cleveland Clinic in 1992. He has served as Vice-Chairman of the Department of Cardiology (1993-2002), Section Head of Clinical Cardiology (1992-2000) and Director of the Coronary Intensive Care Unit (1992- 1997). Most recently, he served as Medical Director of the Cleveland Clinic Cardiovascular Coordinating Center (C5), an organization that directs multi- center clinical trials. Dr. Nissen served the U.S. Food and Drug Administration on the CardioRenal Advisory Panel for five years, serving as Chairman for the final year of his appointment. He continues to advise several FDA Committees as a Special Government Employee. He was President of the American College of Cardiology, a 33,000-member nonprofit professional medical society and teaching institution, from March 2006 to March 2007.
An accomplished author, Dr. Nissen has written more than 350 journal articles, book chapters, and CD-ROMs, mostly in the field of cardiovascular imaging. He was one of the pioneers in the development of intravascular ultrasound (IVUS), a type of high-resolution imaging. The technology has been the basis for his research during the last decade. In particular, Dr. Nissen developed the methodology for application of IVUS in the assessment of the progression and regression of coronary atherosclerosis. Dr. Nissen is currently the principal investigator for several large IVUS atherosclerosis trials.
He received his medical degree from the University of Michigan School of Medicine in Ann Arbor and completed his internal medicine internship and residency at the University of California, Davis in Sacramento. He completed his cardiology fellowship at the University of Kentucky Medical Center in Lexington.
The Department of Cardiovascular Medicine is part of the Cleveland Clinic Heart & Vascular Institute, which has been ranked No. 1 in the United States by U.S. News & World Report for the past 12 years.