https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4271-3741
We are deeply saddened by the untimely passing of Dr. Bijoy Khandheria, a leader in cardiology, internationally renowned echocardiographer and master teacher, whose lectures attracted audiences worldwide.
Dr. Khandheria received his medical degree at the University of Baroda, India. He trained as an Internal Medicine Resident at Shree Sayaji General Hospital in Baroda, at Saint Agnes Medical Center and at Hahnemann University before completing a Fellowship at the Division of Cardiovascular Disease and Internal Medicine at the Mayo Clinic.
Dr. Khandheria served as Consultant at the Divisions of Cardiovascular Diseases at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota and in Scottsdale, Arizona, and as Chair, Division of Cardiovascular Diseases at the Scottsdale Mayo Clinic.
After moving to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, he held positions as Medical Director, Echocardiography Services, Aurora St. Luke Medical Center, as Medical Director, Echocardiography Center for Research & Innovation, and as Director, Aurora Global & Executive Health Program Services. He was also appointed as Clinical Adjunct Professor of Medicine at the University of Wisconsin, School of Medicine and Public Health.
Dr. Khandheria served as the 16th President of the American Society of Echocardiography from 2005 to 2006. He was a Fellow of the American College of Cardiology, Fellow of the American College of Physicians, Fellow of the American Heart Association, Fellow of the European Society of Cardiology, and Fellow of the American Society of Echocardiography.
Dr. Khandheria authored or co-authored over 350 publications and edited seven books on the topic of echocardiography. He also served as Associate Editor for the European Heart Journal Cardiovascular Imaging, Senior Consulting Editor for the Journal of American Society of Echocardiography, Senior Consulting Editor for JACC Cardiovascular Imaging, Editorial Consultant for JACC, and reviewer for numerous prestigious medical journals.
Dr. Khandheria truly was an international ambassador of echocardiography and as such established important links to cardiologists in many countries. He succeeded in bringing together many colleagues at different institutions throughout the world and was instrumental in establishing a unique international network for teaching and research.
It is particularly noteworthy how Dr. Khandheria was instrumental in establishing highly successful teaching courses in several continents. The following list is certainly not complete but illustrates his activities, not only in the USA but also in Europe (including Spain, Italy, and Austria), in Asia (including Hong Kong, Thailand, and India), as well as in Australia and in South Africa. These courses were hugely successful as evidenced by the fact that most of them recurred for many years and were not only extremely well attended but also received exuberant reviews by the attendees. An important side effect of these meetings was the establishment of lasting international cooperations, not only at the professional but also at the personal level.
Bijoy Khandheria was a physician, researcher, and teacher of unique standing who greatly contributed to the world-wide cardiology community. He had the unique ability to transfer his enthusiasm for cardiology to his audience. Really unforgettable for everyone who attended his talks was his amazing talent to synthetize information in a way that his vast knowledge could be conveyed to audiences with simplicity and clarity. He would always find the time to answer questions or to express his valuable advice on a research project or a manuscript.
Thank you Bijoy for time you dedicated to the progress of cardiology research and teaching, and for your tireless clinical activity.
You have been a cornerstone for your patients, a loving husband of Priti and doting father of Vishal and Trishala and an affectionate and sincere friend to all of us who had the fortune to encounter you in our lives. You will be greatly missed, but your achievements and your human qualities will not be forgotten.
Gerald Maurer
Editor-in-Chief, European Heart Journal—Cardiovascular Imaging
Scipione Carerj
President elect of Italian Society of Echocardiography and Cardiovascular Imaging
Jose Zamorano
Past President, European Association of Cardiovascular Imaging
Funding: None declared.
Author notes
These authors contributed equally to this work.
Conflict of interest: None declared.
