Extensive Device and Pacemaker Collection Acquired

Collection illustrates Dr. Seymour Furman’s legacy of dedication to education and innovation within the field of cardiac arrhythmia disorders

October 29, 2008 —The Heart Rhythm Foundation and the Heart Rhythm Society has acquired the entire device and pacemaker collection from The Furman estate, including more than 1,800 historical pieces, books and papers as a permanent collection loan. It is the Furman family’s hope that the devices help grow Dr. Seymour Furman’s legacy of dedication to education and innovation within the field of cardiac arrhythmia disorders. These devices are available for use in scholarly research and display and are currently residing at the Society’s headquarters.

Dr. Seymour Furman's collection of historic devices are available for use in scholarly research and display and are currently residing at the Society’s headquarters.

The device collection is part of The Furman Fund established in 2007 to honor Dr. Furman and educate the world about the cardiac arrhythmia field. The Furman Fund addresses three specific objectives which include:

• Preserving an historic view of cardiac pacing and electrophysiology.
• Inspiring clinicians, students, and patients with the rhythmic wonder of the human heart.
• Educating the clinical and lay community about the field of heart rhythm management, its history of innovation and its future potential for improving and extending the lives of arrhythmia patients.

The Furman Fund contains such projects as the Furman Traveling Scholarship, the Electricity and the Heart website to display the history of cardiac rhythm disorders, the Oral History collection created to provide a look into pacing and electrophysiology; and the Rhythms in Time exhibit which showcases the device collection at our annual scientific sessions.

Those interested in donating to the Furman Fund or providing the Society with relevant devices and research should contact Betsy Bogdansky at (202) 464-3454, bbogdansky@HRSonline.org or Ashleigh Covington at (202) 464-9854, acovington@HRSonline.org for further information. You may support the Foundation by donating online — your contribution will enable the Society to be the primary resource for healthcare professionals and the voice of support for patients with cardiac arrhythmia disorders.

About the Heart Rhythm Foundation
The mission of the Heart Rhythm Foundation is to enhance the prevention and treatment of cardiac rhythm disorders by supporting the research, education and advocacy efforts of the Heart Rhythm Society. Its goal is to promote a culture of giving in service to this mission.