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NEW YORK – January 6, 2021 – The Cardiovascular Research Foundation (CRF) announced today that David J. Cohen, MD, MSc, has joined the organization as Director of Clinical and Outcomes Research.

A world-renowned expert in health economics and outcomes research, Dr. Cohen has devoted his career to studying interventional cardiology devices and procedures, particularly drug-eluting stents and transcatheter aortic valve implantation. His research focuses on the application of formal cost-effectiveness methodology to novel interventions for cardiovascular disease, the extension of traditional cardiovascular outcomes research to include patient-centered outcomes, and the development and evaluation of tools for assessing patients’ health status and preferences.

“We are delighted to welcome David to CRF,” said Martin B. Leon, MD, Founder and Chairman Emeritus of CRF. “He is a widely respected investigator whose expertise will strengthen CRF’s capabilities in health outcomes and cost-effectiveness research. This has become an increasingly important area of research which is absolutely essential for the future of interventional cardiology.”

“Dr. Cohen’s unique background and experience will boost the capabilities of CRF as we work to identify effective technologies, therapies, and treatments for patients with cardiovascular disease,” said Juan F. Granada, MD, President and Chief Executive Officer of CRF. “As healthcare costs continue to rise, it becomes even more critical to determine which technologies provide the best value in terms of cost and quality of life outcomes. We are excited to have his guidance and leadership as we develop educational programs in health economics.”

Dr. Cohen will also join the staff at St. Francis Hospital in Roslyn, New York's only specialty designated cardiac center, where he will serve as Director of Academic Affairs and continue his clinical practice in interventional and structural cardiology.  

“St. Francis Hospital is committed to a partnership with the Cardiovascular Research Foundation,” said Richard A. Shlofmitz, MD, Chairman of Cardiology at St. Francis Hospital. “In the spirit of this partnership, we are excited to announce the addition of Dr. David Cohen to our Clinical and Academic team at St Francis. David is a renowned expert in interventional cardiology, and his arrival complements our already outstanding faculty. David's recruitment is a major step in strengthening our goal of being one of the worldwide leaders in cardiovascular medicine.”

“I am thrilled to be ‘coming home’ to the Northeast to work together with the world class faculty at the Cardiovascular Research Foundation, St. Francis Hospital, and Columbia University,” said Dr. Cohen. “In particular, I look forward to bringing my expertise in cardiovascular outcomes research and health economics to CRF and expanding the opportunities for both collaborative research and training across each of the institutions. Although I will miss my many friends and colleagues in Kansas City (and also the barbecue!), I could not be more excited about my new partners and the tremendous opportunities that await in New York.”

Previously, Dr. Cohen was Professor of Medicine at the University of Missouri-Kansas City and Director of Cardiovascular Research at Saint Luke’s Mid America Heart Institute. Prior to that, he was Associate Director, Interventional Cardiology and Director of Interventional Cardiology Research at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center where he was also Associate Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School.

Dr. Cohen earned his medical degree at Harvard Medical School and his master’s degree in health policy at the Harvard School of Public Health. He completed his clinical training at Brigham and Women’s Hospital and was a clinical and research fellow in cardiology at Beth Israel Hospital. He is board certified in internal medicine, adult cardiology, and interventional cardiology.