From the desk of
Frank LaCamera, Jr. MD
President - Rogers Heart Foundation

For five decades our Foundation had been helping residents of Pinellas County and around the world – literally – with their problems of cardiovascular diseases by means of its research, education and other services.

We established the first cardiac catheterization laboratory in Pinellas County and have served thousands of patients since then. Through our research projects (in the laboratory and in our clinical research department) we have increased the knowledge of cardiac rhythm disturbances and ECG interpretations for physicians and nurses everywhere.

Dr. Henry Marriott, our Director of Clinical Research for 30 years, established exceptional cardiac seminars that drew more than 10,000 physicians and nurses from around the world. The seminars featured outstanding cardiac teachers who taught leading-edge ideas in diagnosis, theory and treatment. Dr. Marriott built the largest cardiac nursing program in the U.S. right here in St. Petersburg.

One of our research associates invented the world’s first invisible electrodes so that these would not interfere with x-ray pictures during cardiac catheterizations. And for nine years, we were part of the Emory University Cardiology training program that produces excellent cardiologists, some of whom have already achieved national prominence.

Fifteen years ago the Foundation turned over control of the lab to St. Anthony’s Hospital. Since then we have concentrated on funding nursing and allied scholarships, plus such community assets as ECG equipment, lectures for the public and a sophisticated training mannequin for cardiac teaching of local residents, physicians and nurses.

Interestingly, we are better known in Europe, Central and South America and even Australia than we are in our own country.

I invite you to contact us as you might well become interested in joining us in continuing this rich, helpful heritage.

Sincerely yours,
Frank LaCamera, Jr., M.D.