SCAI mourns Frank J. Hildner, MD, FSCAI: A founder and leader

(Press-News.org) The Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions (SCAI) and the interventional cardiology community mourn the passing of Frank J. Hildner, MD, FSCAI, a founding member and past president (1989-90) of SCAI.

“Dr. Frank Hildner laid the foundation for SCAI’s growth and success. His visionary leadership helped guide SCAI through its formative years, ensuring it would become the trusted home for interventional cardiology. We are deeply grateful for his contributions and will continue to honor his legacy,” said SCAI President James B. Hermiller, MD, MSCAI.

Recognizing the need for a dedicated platform for interventional cardiologists, Dr. Hildner was one of the 42 original founders of the Society for Cardiac Angiography, which later evolved into SCAI, the leading professional organization for interventional cardiologists worldwide. Among Dr. Hildner’s most enduring contributions was establishing SCAI’s official journal—the first focused on heart catheterization—in 1975. This ensured a critical resource for publishing research, new techniques, and best practices for interventional cardiologists worldwide.

Dr. Hilder served as the journal’s editor-in-chief for over two decades before passing the reins to Christopher J. White, MD, MSCAI, (SCAI President, 2011-12). Dr. White recalled several instances where Dr. Hildner and his wife, Christine, drove from the Florida Panhandle to New Orleans to help ensure a smooth transition.

“Frank was a firm hand in ensuring that SCAI got off on the right foot, and he supported it with his whole being. He was a giant, both clinically and academically, in terms of his clinical skills and how he weaved them into SCAI’s journal,” Dr. White said. “Frank was a builder who would work behind the scenes to make things bigger and better—but he never featured himself. He and his wife Christine were the most generous people.”

Raised in Chicago, Dr. Hildner completed his cardiology training at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit. Throughout his more than four decades in private practice in Florida, Dr. Hildner remained committed to providing exceptional patient care while contributing to the broader medical community through research, mentorship, and leadership roles.

“As one of the founders of SCAI, Dr. Hildner was innovative and thoughtful about advancing the association and the field. With humor, enthusiasm, and an overall good understanding of life, he built relationships around the world that elevated the profile of SCAI’s journal. I met Frank as a young interventionalist, and a significant part of his impact on the field was he supported people like myself develop in their early career,” said George W. Vetrovec, MD, MSCAI (SCAI President, 1993-94).

In recognition of his lasting contributions, SCAI established the Hildner Lecture. Delivered annually at SCAI Scientific Sessions, this prestigious lecture honors his commitment to education, innovation, and mentorship, ensuring that his influence continues to shape future generations of interventional cardiologists.

In addition to his namesake lecture at SCAI Scientific Sessions, Dr. Hildner’s immense contributions to cardiology were recognized through numerous awards and honors. He was the recipient of SCAI’s Distinguished Service Award and the Helping Hearts Lifetime Service Award, both of which celebrate his lifelong commitment to advancing cardiovascular care and improving patient outcomes.

“Frank Hildner will be remembered for his many contributions to invasive and interventional cardiology. As a founder of SCAI, Frank's vision included an understanding that the emerging field of invasive and interventional cardiology would have greater success if there were options for sharing experiences to improve patient outcomes. This remains a hallmark of SCAI today and is reflected in the annual Hildner lecture focusing on innovation and improvement. His desire to foster discussions about improving outcomes led him to establish a journal that focused on the ‘how’ in our procedures in addition to the ‘why.’ In his capacity as editor-in-chief, he oversaw the most widely read interventional cardiology journal, often publishing the first reports of new techniques and technology. He contributed to the careers of pioneers in interventional cardiology and today's practitioners,” said Steven R. Bailey, MD, MSCAI (SCAI President, 2009-10).

His colleagues and friends remember Dr. Hildner as a compassionate physician and a great friend. He is survived by Christine, his wife of 67 years, three living children, six grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren.

“Frank personified the core missions SCAI in terms of quality and science. He was totally committed to the science of catheterization and interventional cardiology. A fixture of SCAI for decades, Frank always focused on ensuring the organization could continue to grow and improve,” said Bonnie H. Weiner, MD, MBA, MSEC, MSCAI (SCAI President, 2007-08). “We all knew him as a wonderful, funny, and warm human being. We will miss him greatly.”

 

About SCAI

The Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions is a professional organization representing more than 4,000 invasive and interventional cardiology professionals in approximately 75 nations. SCAI's mission is to promote excellence in invasive/interventional cardiovascular medicine through physician education and representation, and advancement of quality standards to enhance patient care.

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