Frank J. Hildner, MD, FSCAI is a SCAI Past President, an elected SCAI Trustee for Life, and the founder of SCAI’s journal, now titled Catheterization and Cardiovascular Interventions (CCI). Dr. Hildner’s journey began with his cardiology training at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit. After training, he went into private practice in Florida, where he practiced for over 40 years. Early in his career when Dr. Hildner was being taught how to do heart catheterization, many physicians felt it was vital for the field of Cardiac Catheterization to create a place where physicians could come together to learn, train, and share cutting edge science since there were no organizations specifically for interventionalists at the time. Dr. Hildner was one of the 42 original founders of The Society for Cardiac Angiography (later becoming The Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions).

During his many years of involvement with the Society, Dr. Hildner served in many roles, including SCAI President from 1989–1990. He also founded the first journal focused on heart catheterizations titled “Cardiac Catheterization and Angiography.” He published the first issue in 1975 and over time, this journal grew to become part of the Society. The journal’s success was in large part due to Dr. Hildner’s tireless efforts and his vision to include the newest science in Angioplasty that was not being published elsewhere at the time. He served as the “editor-in-chief” for 25 years and when he retired from this role, the “Hildner Lecture” was founded to honor his many years of dedicated service.