Victor Parsonnet, Doctor of Medicine, Professor Emeritus, is an American cardiac surgeon who contributed significantly to the evolution of cardiac pacemaking.
Background
Doctor Parsonnet grew up in Newark, New Jersey and attended Weequahic High School before enrolling at Cornell University. In 1955, Doctor Parsonnet joined his father"s practice at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center, in Newark New Jersey, which his grandfathers, Max Danzis and Victor Parsonnet, founded in 1901.
Education
In 1947 he finished his medical studies at New York University.
Career
He left Cornell to join the United States. Navy Reserve during World World War World War II Parsonnet conducted research and studies with pioneers of the heart surgery field, Michael DeBakey and Denton Cooley (the first person in the United States to perform a heart transplant in 1968). Doctor Parsonnet was the first surgeon in New Jersey to implant a permanent pacemaker (1961) and to complete a heart transplant (1985) and kidney transplant. When asked about his success, he simply says, "I was in the right place at the right time." Doctor Parsonnet has been on the Editorial Boards of numerous academic publications, including an Editor of The Medical Roundtable, Cardiovascular Edition, a peer-reviewed journal publishing expert roundtable discussions on compelling topics.
The former chief of surgery at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center, is now the Medical Director of the Pacemaker and Defibrillator Evaluation Center and Director of Surgical Research at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center.
He helped co-found the North American Society of Pacing and Electrophysiology and is the author to over 600 articles and 5 books He also holds five patents.
Doctor Parsonnet also has a deep love for music Victor grew up in a very musical family.
His father was the chair for the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra(NJSO).
In 1986, when his father died, Victor was asked to fill his spot. In 1991, Parsonnet became the Chairman of the NJSO, a position which he held for 17 years. He is now the Chairman Emeritus for the NJSO.
Achievements
Membership
Chairman New Jersey Symphony Orchestra, 1991. With United States Navy, 1941-1946, United States Air Force, 1952-1954. Fellow American College Cardiology.
Member American Association Thoracic Surgery, American College Surgeons, American College Surgeons New Jersey Chapter (counselor 1966-1968, president 1979), American Federal Clinical Research New Jersey Chapter (secretary 1958-1959, president 1959-1960), American Medical Association, biomedical Engineering Society, Denton A. Cooley Cardiovascular Society, Eastern Vascular Society, Essex County Heart Association, Essex County Medical Society, Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, International Society Heart Transplanting (member exhibition committee 1985-1986), International Society Cardiovascular Surgery, Medical Society New Jersey, New Jersey Society Surgeons.
Interests
Avocations: piano, music, tennis.
Connections
Married Mia Eimer, June 22, 1950. Children: Jeffrey, Brian, Julie.
Recipient Harrison Martland award, 1953, Myrtle Wreath award Hadassah, 1974, Edward J. Ill award Academy Medicine New Jersey, 1978, Melvyn H. Motolinsky award Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, 1988, Clara Barton award, Governor's award The Pride of New Jersey, 1989, Distinguished Service award NASPE, 1990, Howard W. Dayton award American Heart Association New Jersey Chapter, 1990, Distinguished Alumni award New York University Alumni Club Metropolitan New Jersey, 1991, Heart of Gold award American Heart Association, 1997.
Recipient Harrison Martland award, 1953, Myrtle Wreath award Hadassah, 1974, Edward J. Ill award Academy Medicine New Jersey, 1978, Melvyn H. Motolinsky award Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, 1988, Clara Barton award, Governor's award The Pride of New Jersey, 1989, Distinguished Service award NASPE, 1990, Howard W. Dayton award American Heart Association New Jersey Chapter, 1990, Distinguished Alumni award New York University Alumni Club Metropolitan New Jersey, 1991, Heart of Gold award American Heart Association, 1997.