BIOTRONIK and Heartbeat International Celebrate Reaching Targets for Helping Cardiac Device Patients

TAMPA, FL--(Marketwire - April 02, 2012) -

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Heartbeat International Foundation

BIOTRONIK

Heartbeat International Foundation, Inc. (HBI), a global non-profit organization providing cardiovascular implantable devices and treatment to people in need today, announced that its partnership with BIOTRONIK is likely to surpass its ambitious goal of saving 1,000 patients before 2013.

HBI is congratulating BIOTRONIK for quickly closing in on its ambitious objective and encourages other manufacturers of medical devices to take notice and join HBI in its heart-worthy cause.

"The commitment made by BIOTRONIK to save 1,000 lives by 2013 in support of Heartbeat International Foundation's mission has set a high bar for other manufacturers of cardiac pacing devices," explains Benedict S. Maniscalco, M.D., Chairman & CEO of HBI. "BIOTRONIK's goal will be exceeded in 2012 and Heartbeat International Foundation is most fortunate to count BIOTRONIK as a strategic partner in the expansion of our primary mission towards providing comprehensive cardiovascular services through the Global Cardiovascular Alliance."

Combating the world's number one killer -- cardiovascular disease -- since 1984, HBI provides new, unused cardiovascular implantable devices and treatment to economically disadvantaged patients at no charge regardless of age, gender, religion, culture or political persuasion. Estimates suggest between one and three million people die every year because they can't afford a pacemaker or Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillator (ICD): the partnership between HBI and BIOTRONIK is dedicated to significantly reducing those numbers.

BIOTRONIK began supporting Florida-based HBI in 2010 and established its mission to save 1,000 lives by 2013. Since then, BIOTRONIK has delivered a total of 396 pacemakers and 402 ICDs to patients in need -- nearly 80% of its stated goal.

HBI Election of New Board Members
Representing the top of their fields in all areas of the world in cardiology, medicine and supporting industries, HBI appointed four new directors to its board on Saturday, March 24th.

HBI Foundation directors serve four year terms and can be consecutively elected for three terms. Currently, fifteen directors serve the HBI board. Re-elected on March 24th were board chairmen Dr. Benedict S. Maniscalco and Vice Chairman Albert Salem Jr., Esq.

The following new directors were appointed to the HBI board:

Ms. Jennifer Goodwin Schunemann - President and Founder of The Goodwin Group International (GGI) is the creator of the peer-reviewed MD Conference Express.
Dr. Joe Messer - Chairperson of The Harvard Medical Society of Chicago for more than 20 years, Messer served on the Department of Health & Human Services, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services: Medicare Evidence Development & Coverage Advisory Committee (MedCAC) from 2007 to 2009.
Dr. Thomas Piemonte M.D. FACC, FSCAI - has held the position of Clinical Instructor in Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, since 1998; Director, Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory & Interventional Cardiovascular Medicine Lahey Clinic Medical Center, Burlington, MA since 2000.
Mr. Anthony Reece - Managing Partner of Reece Associates in Barbados, Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago, an expert in international financial services and business law. He currently serves as Chairman of Heartbeat International (HBI) of Barbados chapter and has served as Former Chairman of the National Petroleum Corporation; Former Member of the Senate Chamber of Barbados and served as Former Chairman of the Caribbean Broadcasting Corporation.

HBI Outreach & Educational Programs
Above and beyond providing medical devices and cardiovascular treatment to needy patients at no charge, HBI works to back robust programs in education, prevention and treatment to reduce cardiovascular disease fatalities all over the world. Awareness programs are realized through the support of corporations, civic organizations, NGOs, healthcare professionals and individual volunteers via the Global Cardiovascular Alliance (GCA).

In conjunction with the American College of Cardiology (ACC) 2012 expo in Chicago, March 24 - 27, HBI Chairman Dr. Benedict S. Maniscalco hosted a GCA roundtable session and discussed its goal of heart centers in a global alliance to develop screening, prevention, follow-up care and education programs covering the spectrum of cardiovascular disease to make the most impact and reach the greatest number of patients.

The Arrhythmia Workshop in the Palmer House Hotel on March 23rd was hosted by top cardiology doctors and electrophysiologists in the United States and highlighted specific case studies encountered by doctors in various countries with applicable insight and application for those present who represent other heart centers around the world. The workshop also explored challenges underprivileged patients with delayed device implants can face such as long-term care costs.

To visit the Heartbeat International Foundation website visit
www.HeartbeatSavesLives.org