University of Alabama at Birmingham Department of Surgery Professor and UAB James and John Kirklin Institute for Research in Surgical Outcomes Director James Kirklin, M.D., has been named president of World Society for Pediatric and Congenital Heart Surgery (WSPCHS).

Kirklin recently completed his term as vice president of the organization. He will serve a two-year term as president. 

Kirklin has previously served as president of the International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation and is a member of numerous academic societies. He served as editor of the Journal of Heart and Lung Transplantation from 2000-2009. He was first author on the premier textbook on Heart Transplantation and co-author of the fourth edition of the Cardiac Surgery textbook.

According to WSPCHS, their vision is to provide appropriate medical and surgical care for every child in the world with a congenital heart defect. Their mission is to promote the highest quality comprehensive cardiac care to all patients with congenital heart disease. 

Kirklin is looking forward to representing the department in this prominent leadership position.

"This important global society for pediatric heart surgery includes congenital heart surgeons worldwide who are dedicated to disseminating knowledge and helping less developed areas of the world improve pediatric cardiac surgical care and outcomes,” Kirklin said. “I am honored to provide leadership in this effort.”