WORLD-RENOWNED CARDIOLOGIST JOINS SBUMC AS DIRECTOR OF NEW CENTER OF ADVANCED CARDIAC IMAGING
Dr. Michael Poon To Build MR and CT Imaging Capabilities at SBUMC
STONY BROOK, N.Y
., January 7, 2009 – Michael Poon, M.D., a world-renowned cardiologist and imaging specialist has been
named Director of the Center of Advanced Cardiac Imaging at Stony Brook University Medical Center. Appointed by Richard Fine, M.D., Dean of the School of Medicine, Dr. Poon will also hold joint Professorships in Radiology and Cardiology.
Dr. Poon is an expert in the areas of coronary artery disease, pulmonary hypertension, and advanced cardiac imaging. In 1995, he was the first to discover and report an important property of an anti-rejection medication – rapamycin – in preventing restenosis following balloon angioplasty or stenting of the coronary arteries.
Dr. Poon’s other research accomplishments include the discovery of a molecular mechanism through which corticosteroids exert their anti-inflammatory property, as well as the detection of cardiac viability using combined cardiac computer tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance (MR) imaging, and the assessment of adult pulmonary hypertension using cardiac MR imaging. He is also credited for his successful effort in obtaining the CPT (current procedural terminology) code for cardiac CTA (computed tomographic angiography) in the U.S., as well as playing a key role in the writing of the Model LCD (local coverage determination) and the appropriateness criteria for the clinical use of cardiac CTA.
“Dr. Poon’s recruitment allows us to bring more advanced and life-altering care to our patients and community in the areas of CT and MR imaging,” says David Brown, M.D., Chief, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine and Co-Director of the Stony Brook Heart Center. “His leadership will build our capabilities in CT and MR Imaging, which will complement our world-class programs in invasive cardiology, electrophysiology, heart failure and echocardiography.”
In addition to directing cardiac CT and MR imaging, Dr. Poon will offer intense training programs in cardiac CT and MR imaging for both practicing radiologists and cardiologists, as well as physicians-in-training who are seeking all levels of credentials in advanced cardiac imaging. Since 2001, he has trained more than 500 physicians from all over the world in cardiac MR/CT imaging.
“My goal is to develop a world-class cardiac MR and CT clinical and research imaging program that employs the most advanced and cost-effective way of evaluating coronary heart disease and valvular heart disease,” says Dr. Poon. “I will also use these advanced imaging techniques to tackle some of the most challenging clinical and research questions in cardiovascular medicine today.”
Dr. Poon, who comes to Stony Brook from the Mount Sinai School of Medicine, received his M.D. degree from Mt. Sinai School of Medicine in 1987. He is a Diplomate in the American Board of Internal Medicine, Cardiovascular Disease.
He was a recipient of the prestigious Clinician-Scientist Award and Young Investigator Award from the American Heart Association. His research efforts have been supported by grants from the National Institutes of Health and American Heart Association.
Dr. Poon is the immediate-past president of the Society of the Cardiovascular Computed Tomography (SCCT) and has been one of New York magazine’s Best Doctors for the past five years. He has both Society for Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance (SCMR) Level III Certification in Cardiovascular MR and SCCT Level III Certification in Cardiovascular CT.
He has co-authored more than 50 peer-reviewed articles, covering a wide spectrum of research and clinical interests including molecular and vascular biology of inflammation, thrombosis, and atherosclerosis; novel applications of advanced non-invasive imaging, and diagnosis and management of pulmonary hypertension. He also published chapters in 18 books, and has written 13 online articles for various publications. Since 2003, he has given more than 100 major professional presentations.
Dr. Poon was born in Fuchow, China and grew up in Hong Kong. He came to this country when he was 15 years old and attended Xavier High School in New York City. He is married with four children and resides in Old Field.
