Albert L. Waldo, MD Has Passed Away After Brief Illness

Giant in the Field of Cardiac Electrophysiology remembered by colleagues and friends at UH Harrington Heart & Vascular Institute

CLEVELAND – Leaders at University Hospitals (UH) Harrington Heart & Vascular Institute are saddened to share news of the passing of Albert L. Waldo, MD, (Hon) PhD, after a brief illness. Dr. Waldo died on August 17, surrounded by family. He was 85 years old.

Dr. Waldo was a world-renowned physician, scientist, and educator who was recruited to UH in 1986 to establish the Section of Cardiac Electrophysiology at UH Cleveland Medical Center. He served as the Walter H. Pritchard Professor of Medicine at Case Western Reserve University until his retirement in 2022.

During his tenure, he oversaw translational research that advanced the understanding of cardiac arrhythmia mechanisms. He held pivotal roles in clinical trials that profoundly impacted patient outcomes, and he embraced and trained more than 100 cardiac electrophysiology fellows and translational scientists from around the world. His work led many to refer to him as a giant in the field of cardiac electrophysiology.

“Dr. Waldo was an extraordinary mentor and colleague who will be remembered not only for his scientific contributions, but his friendship,” said Mehdi Shishehbor, DO, MPH, PhD, President of UH Harrington Heart & Vascular Institute, and Angela and James Hambrick Chair in Innovation. “His office door was always open, and he found time for his colleagues and trainees, offering encouragement, insight, and humor.” 

Dr. Waldo’s accomplishments are many. He was the founding member and past president of the North American Society of Pacing and Electrophysiology (NASPE) which is now called Heart Rhythm Society. He authored more than 600 publications, including one selected by the American College of Cardiology as one of 14 Historical Articles, as part of its 50th Anniversary Commemoration. He received the Distinguished Scientist Award from NASPE, as well as the Distinguished Scientist Award from the American College of Cardiology in 2009.

The Albert L Waldo, MD, (hon) PhD Endowed Lectureship in Cardiac Electrophysiology at UH Cleveland Medical Center has been established to honor his legacy.

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About University Hospitals / Cleveland, Ohio
Founded in 1866, University Hospitals serves the needs of patients through an integrated network of 21 hospitals (including five joint ventures), more than 50 health centers and outpatient facilities, and over 200 physician offices in 16 counties throughout northern Ohio. The system’s flagship quaternary care, academic medical center, University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, is affiliated with Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Northeast Ohio Medical University, Oxford University, the Technion Israel Institute of Technology and National Taiwan University College of Medicine. The main campus also includes the UH Rainbow Babies & Children's Hospital, ranked among the top children’s hospitals in the nation; UH MacDonald Women's Hospital, Ohio's only hospital for women; and UH Seidman Cancer Center, part of the NCI-designated Case Comprehensive Cancer Center. UH is home to some of the most prestigious clinical and research programs in the nation, with more than 3,000 active clinical trials and research studies underway. UH Cleveland Medical Center is perennially among the highest performers in national ranking surveys, including “America’s Best Hospitals” from U.S. News & World Report. UH is also home to 19 Clinical Care Delivery and Research Institutes. UH is one of the largest employers in Northeast Ohio with more than 30,000 employees. Follow UH on LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter. For more information, visit UHhospitals.org.