Robert Hauser, MD
Dr. Robert Hauser, a cardiologist with the Minneapolis Heart Institute, is a
native of Cincinnati, Ohio, and received his M.D. degree from the University of
Cincinnati. Until 1987, Dr. Hauser practiced cardiology at Rush Presbyterian-St.
Luke's Medical Center in Chicago, where he was Professor of Medicine and
Co-Director of the Section of Cardiology. In 1988, he became President and Chief
Executive Officer of Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc., in St. Paul, a position he held
until 1992, when he returned to the full-time practice of cardiology at the
Minneapolis Heart Institute. He served as interim executive director of the
Minneapolis Heart Institute Foundation from 1994 to 1995, and has been a board
member of the Foundation since 1994. Currently, Dr. Hauser serves on the
Foundation's Research Committee.
Dr. Hauser's clinical interests include management of cardiac arrhythmias,
and he is a founder and past president of the prestigious North American Society
of Pacing and Electrophysiology (NASPE). His research has resulted in multiple
patents related to cardiac pacing, defibrillation, and electrophysiology.
Foundation president Ford Bell praises Dr. Hauser's strong commitment to the
Foundation, and to its dual missions of research and prevention of heart
disease. In addition, Bell notes that Dr. Hauser is an active researcher
himself. "Bob Hauser's study on the feasiblity of an internet-based registry to
monitor the performance of pacemakers and implantable defibrillators is the
clearest example of why clinical research here at the Foundation is so
important." This research project has resulted in numerous presentations at
national meetings, and two articles in the journal Pacing and Clinical
Electrophysiology, one of which highlighted a previously undetected design
problem that resulted in complete failure of a particular defibrillator
model.
Dr. Hauser points out that, "The work of the Foundation is important because
it keeps our community on the forefront of cardiovascular care and
prevention.
The Foundation has further allowed us to attract talented physicians, nurses,
and educators to our program at the Minnepolis Heart Institute. I am
particularly proud of the fact that, on any given day, the Foundation is not
only conducting multiple research projects but is also teaching young people how
to prevent heart disease."
Dr. Hauser and his wife, Sally, live in Orono, and have three grown
daughters.
Kathy Halvorson, RN
Kathy Halvorson has been on the Minneapolis Heart Institute Foundation board
of directors since 1999, and her significant contribution is shaped by her broad
range of experiences in the medical field and as an active community
volunteer.
She received her B.A. in nursing from Gustavus Adolphus, and an M.B.A. from
the University of St. Thomas. From 1985 to 2001, she was a member of the Health
Services Team at Honeywell, Inc. In addition, she spent 10 years as an intensive
coronary care and emergency room nurse at Methodist Hospital. Currently, she is
employed at Sedgwick CMS as a Team Lead.
Ms. Halvorson's involvement with MHIF began with her work on the Education
Advisory Group, where she has made a significant contribution to the
Foundation's highly acclaimed community and school-based education programs.
According to MHIF director of education, George Kroeninger, "Kathy has a true
passion for heart disease prevention and has served as an invaluable resource to
the Foundation, not only in her role as a board member, but also as a committed
health professional and consultant to our Education Services Division."
In addition to her work with the Education Division, Ms. Halvorson and her
husband Dave volunteer at the Foundation's annual Golf Classic, and Kathy also
serves on the Communications Committee.
Foundation president Ford Bell describes Kathy Halvorson as the "perfect
non-profit board member." According to Dr. Bell, "Kathy's dedication to the work
of the Foundation is awe-inspiring. Whether it's helping out ith the Golf
Classic or representing the board at the Avon Wellness Race, speaking to a
community group, or attending board and committee meetings, she is always there,
always thrilled to help out in any way she can."
Ms. Halvorson says that she is "honored to serve as a board member for the
Minneapolis Heart Institute Foundation because the entire staff is dedicated to
cutting-edge research and education, and really believes in the mission of the
organization."
Kathy and her husband Dave have two grown daughters and live in
Excelsior.
