![\"David](\"http:\/\/blogs.nejm.org\/cardioexchange\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2014\/03\/Skorton-at-press-conferenceDSC04658.jpg\")
<\/a>David Skorton<\/p><\/div>\n
\u201cDavid Skorton has demonstrated keen vision and skilled leadership as the president of two great American universities,\u201d said the Chief Justice of the United States,\u00a0John Roberts, Jr., who is also a board member of the Smithsonian. \u201cHis character, experience and talents are an ideal match for the Smithsonian\u2019s broad and dynamic range of interests, endeavors and aspirations. I look forward to working with David to increase the impact of an incomparable American institution across the spectrum of arts, sciences, education, and culture.\u201d<\/p>\n
John McCarter, the chair of the\u00a0Smithsonian Board, said that Skorton was chosen because he is a well-rounded, accomplished leader.\u00a0\u201cAs a successful president of two universities, David has led complex organizations. He is an accomplished research scientist and a strong advocate for the arts and humanities, which make him an extraordinary fit for the Smithsonian.\u201d<\/p>\n
Skorton, who is 64, has been a successful fundraiser at both Cornell, where he raised more than $5 billion, and at the\u00a0University of Iowa, where he raised more than $1 billion. He is also considered to be a strong supporter\u00a0of industry\u2013university partnerships.<\/p>\n
As a cardiologist, Skorton’s research and clinical interests centered on congenital heart disease and applying computer analysis to cardiac imaging. Skorton was a co-editor, with his mentor Melvin Marcus, of\u00a0Cardiac Imaging<\/em>, a textbook that accompanied\u00a0Braunwald’s Heart Disease<\/em>, and became the editor of a later edition of the textbook when it became known as\u00a0Marcus Cardiac Imaging.<\/em><\/p>\n