ASE is saddened by the passing of Past President (1997-1999) and longtime member Richard Kerber, MD, FASE. Dr. Kerber was a kind and intelligent person who made a real impact on the field and the cardiovascular community in his lifetime. He served on many ASE committees and on the faculty for numerous Scientific Sessions. Dr. Kerber delivered the Edler Lecture in 1999 on “Deconstructing the Body: Medical Imaging, Medical Art and the Art of Medicine.” He was Professor of Cardiovascular Medicine at the University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine. Dr. Kerber received his undergraduate degree in Anthropology from Columbia University and his medical degree from New York University in 1964. After an internship and completing part of his residency at Bellevue Hospital in New York City, Dr. Kerber joined the US Army Medical Corps and served two years as a Captain in a MASH unit in Vietnam, earning the Bronze Star in 1968. Upon his return, he completed his residency and a Cardiology Fellowship at Stanford University Hospital by 1971. It was this same year that he joined the University of Iowa and rose through the ranks, becoming a Professor by 1978 and then Director of Echocardiography. He authored more than 250 articles, two books, more than 330 abstracts, and dozens of chapters of books. His influence on cardiovascular research and clinical innovation will be felt for years to come. Dr. Kerber was dedicated to education and mentoring those around him, serving as Director of the Cardiology Fellowship Program for 17 years.  His impact was deeply felt by members of our community. Past Presidents and current leadership shared their sentiments about his legacy:

A wonderful colleague, physician, historian and musician. Our thoughts and prayers are with him and his family. – Dr. Bill Zoghbi

“I can’t possibly say enough good things about Dick. He had a very successful medical career. He also had a wonderful career as an exceptional human being.” – Dr. Harvey Feigenbaum

“His friends and colleges know that Dick was completely committed to echocardiography at a time when many people were trying to determine its usefulness.” – Dr. Walter Henry

“In addition to being a colleague and mentor to us all, Dick is the epitome of a “mentsch”-with a refined moral compass and a wonderful perspective on how medicine fits into the broader world.” – Dr. Julius Gardin 

“He was a brilliant researcher but more importantly a man of integrity and kindness.” – Dr. Jonathan Lindner

“Very sad news but a life well lived. Dick leaves an enormous legacy behind him. He will be very, very missed.” – Dr. Tony DeMaria

“Dick was at Stanford so we have been colleagues forever. He has always been an example of good nature, wise judgment and devotion to his family. Truly a fine man.” – Dr. Richard Popp

Dick Kerber was my mentor when I was a junior attending at the University of Iowa. It is from him I learnt experimental echocardiography. He was always available guiding me through a variety of scientific studies. A kind and intelligent man, he had trained a number of young clinician-scientists and it was my privilege to have spent a part of my life with him. We continued our friendship over the years and I will cherish the memories forever. – Dr. Natesa G. Pandian

Although I never worked directly with Dick in the clinical arena, he recommended me for my first ASE committee many years ago. I am in gratitude to him for that gesture since it started my involvement with ASE. – Dr. Vera Rigolin

Feel free to share your memories on Connect@ASE.

ASE will be establishing an honor, in Dr. Kerber’s name, and the board will vote on this at their meeting later this month. The Funeral services are this Sunday at 2:00 pm at Agudas Achim Synagogue in Iowa City (401 E Oakdale Blvd, Coralville, IA 52241). Burial will be in New York.

Read release here.

Read release here.

Read release here.

The October 2016 Echo magazine features two articles on key areas of growth in cardiovascular ultrasound: Point of Care Ultrasound and the Structural Heart Team. Also learn about everything you need to know to be prepared for MACRA, the people behind the names in echocardiography, key benchmarking data that provides baseline metrics for the field, the Echovation Challenge, the ASE Foundation  mission trip to the Philippines, and more. If you have an idea for a topic you would like covered in an upcoming issue or want to contribute an article, email echo@asecho.org.

ASE’s President Allan Klein, MD, FASE, and Vice President Vera Rigolin, MD, FASE just represented our organization at two important international meetings.  Dr. Klein participated in Echo ASE ASEAN, held in Bangkok, Thailand. This course featured faculty from around the globe and over 200 attendees were eagerly engaged in learning.  Dr. Rigolin participated in the Indian Academy of Echocardiography’s annual meeting, Echo India 2016.  This meeting was held in Madurai, India in the southern state of Tamil Nadu. Over 800 attendees came to this excellent training event. ASE’s staff was on hand at both conferences to publicize ASE’s new international membership rates ($100 USD for physician’s outside the U.S.)  and educational offerings.  We appreciate the warm welcome to ASE’s faculty in both locations

You asked for a case reports journal for cardiovascular imaging, and we listened. CASE, an online, open-access, case reports journal was launched this week. ASE leadership recognized the importance of producing a journal to meet the needs of the medical community by providing timely, practical information on the challenges that face clinicians daily in delivering optimum patient care through efficient and effective diagnostic testing.

Submissions are now being accepted, with the first issue planned for early 2017. The fees associated with accepted papers are $550 for ASE members which is deeply discounted from the $800 fee for nonmembers. The CASE Guide for Authors can be found here.

ASE is proud to have assembled an international editorial board of experts in a wide range of cardiovascular care areas, led by co-Editors-in-Chief L. Leonardo Rodriguez, MD, FACC, FASE from the Heart and Vascular Institute at the Cleveland Clinic in Cleveland, Ohio and Karen G. Zimmerman, BS, ACS, RDCS, RVT, FASE from the Webber Heart Center, Munson Healthcare, Grand Traverse Region in Michigan.

Please send any questions to CASE Managing Editor Deborah R. Meyer at dmeyer@asecho.org.

Do you have a peer who deserves recognition for the high level of their cardiovascular research? The ASE Nominating Committee is now accepting nominations for the 2017 Feigenbaum Lecturer who will present during the 28th Annual Scientific Sessions in Baltimore, MD, June 2-6, 2017. The deadline for nominations is October 28, 2016. 

Nominated individuals should have these qualifications in order to receive this prestigious honor:

• Have provided a significant contribution to research in the field of echocardiography, with great potential to continue at a high level of achievement
• Are a young investigator (under the age of 51 at time of nomination)
• Are an innovator who has changed the field, has the capacity to present a research topic appropriate to headline a plenary symposium at the Society’s annual meeting

Please contact Mary Alice Dilday at 919-297-7188 or madilday@asecho.org with any questions or to submit your nominations.