NEWARK, NJ – Rutgers New Jersey Medical School (NJMS) and University Hospital today formally announced the hiring of Dr. Emad Aziz, who will serve as a Professor of Medicine at NJMS, and the Section Chief of Cardiac Electrophysiology and the Director of the Arrhythmia Institute at University Hospital.
Officials say Dr. Aziz is triple certified by the American Osteopathic Board of Internal Medicine, the American Osteopathic Board of Cardiology and Cardiac Electrophysiology.
Officials at NJMS and University Hospital noted the announcement of Dr. Aziz's hire is especially timely, as Sept. 29 is officially designated as "World Heart Day."
Heart disease is the leading cause of death for both men and women in the United States, according to the CDC.
"We recruited Dr. Aziz to create a state-of-the-art program in electrophysiology, to provide first-rate cardiac care to our patients in Newark and throughout New Jersey," said Dr. Marc Klapholz, Professor and Chair, Department of Medicine at Rutgers New Jersey Medical School and Chief of Medical Service at University Hospital. "We are excited about his vision and look forward to all we will accomplish together on behalf of our patients, trainees, students, and the community at large."
“We are incredibly excited to welcome Dr. Aziz to the University Hospital and Rutgers New Jersey Medical School families,” said Dr. Shereef Elnahal, CEO and President of University Hospital. “Heart disease is a significant health concern that disproportionately impacts our community. The new Arrhythmia Institute at University Hospital continues our commitment to providing world-class care that is tailored to the needs of our patients.”
Prior to his hire, Dr. Aziz was an Associate Professor of Medicine at the Ichan School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, where he also served as the Chief of Cardiac Electrophysiology, the Director of Cardiovascular Research, and the Associate Director of Cardiovascular Fellowship at Mount Sinai St. Luke’s Hospital. He is also a fellow of the American College of Cardiology and the Heart Rhythm Society.
Dr. Aziz attended the Faculty of Medicine of Alexandria University in Egypt, and the New York College of Osteopathic Medicine in Westbury, New York. He completed his residency training in internal medicine and fellowships in cardiology and clinical cardiac electrophysiology at St. Luke’s-Roosevelt Hospital Center, and the University Hospital of Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons. He also completed a fellowship in Advanced Heart Failure at Montefiore-Einstein Heart Institute.
A highly regarded lecturer who has appeared at national and international conferences, Dr. Aziz has given hundreds of presentations to colleagues across the globe. He is also trilingual, speaking English, Spanish, and Arabic fluently.
His research interests include Atrial fibrillation, ventricular tachycardia, Syncope, Advanced Cardiac device implantation for advanced Heart failure, Stroke Management, Laser Lead Management and Advanced Therapies in Central Sleep Apnea.
Despite nationwide efforts to reduce the incidence of heart disease, studies have shown that the risk persists for low-income Americans, who are still more likely to be diagnosed with cardiovascular conditions than high-income individuals.
At Rutgers New Jersey Medical School and University Hospital, Dr. Aziz hopes to initiate a new programmatic approach and bolster ongoing efforts to improve access to higher levels of sophisticated, quality cardiac and arrhythmia care for people living in underserved communities.
“Being a physician is a privilege, and it is my utmost pledge to our University Hospital patients and NJMS students, to provide state-of-the-art patient-oriented therapies for heart rhythm abnormalities while maintaining a regional, national and international leadership role in advancing cardiac arrhythmia research, education and health care delivery standards.”