Dr. Ian Weisberg is a preeminent Cardiac Electrophysiologist renowned for his contributions to the field. His academic journey began at Emory University, where he earned a B.A. in Economics and was inducted into Phi Beta Kappa. Furthering his education, he studied at the London School of Economics and the Institute of Italian Studies in Florence, Italy, before returning to Emory to obtain his Doctor of Medicine degree.
Dr. Weisberg completed his Internal Medicine residency at UT Southwestern’s Parkland Memorial Hospital and pursued a Cardiology Fellowship at the University of Florida, Jacksonville, where he served as Chief Cardiology Fellow. He specialized in Clinical Cardiac Electrophysiology at the University of Chicago, focusing on complex ablation procedures for atrial fibrillation, SVT, and ventricular tachycardia, and the implantation of advanced devices like the Watchman Left Atrial Appendage Closure, pacemakers, ICDs, and CRT devices.
Professionally, Dr. Weisberg has held esteemed positions at the Heart Rhythm Center in Pensacola, Florida, and the Okaloosa Heart and Vascular Center. His expertise in ablation of atrial fibrillation and ventricular tachycardia, Watchman LAAO implantation, and laser lead extractions has earned him recognition as a top implanter in Florida and a pioneer in his specialty.
Dr. Weisberg’s accolades include being named the We Care Doctor of the Year in Escambia County in 2012 and 2014 and being one of the first U.S. physicians to implant the Biotronik DX ICD. He played a crucial role in establishing one of the first IAC accredited EP labs in the country and directed the construction and launch of EP labs at Gulf Breeze Hospital and North Okaloosa Medical Center.
His humanitarian efforts are notable, including his involvement in designing an electrophysiology operating room at Tenwek Hospital in Kenya, aiming to bring advanced heart rhythm procedures to underserved regions. Dr. Weisberg’s career reflects a profound dedication to the advancement of cardiac care and a commitment to improving medical services both locally and globally.
What made you want to become a doctor?
I grew up inspired by my father’s impact as an oncologist on patients’ lives. I often had the opportunity to meet his patients who would tell me how much he had improved their lives and helped them. I recognized that there were few cures for cancer, and it impressed me how many ways there are to affect and improve patients’ lives. This was combined with a passion and curiosity for science, particularly physics which guided my decision to become a cardiac electrophysiologist.
What is your specialty?
I am a cardiac electrophysiologist which is a heart rhythm specialist. I tell patients that I am a cardiologist who has specialized in treating abnormal heart rhythms, both slow and fast ones.
What made you decide to enter this field of medicine?
Cardiology and cardiac electrophysiology offer some of the best opportunities to better patients’ lives. We have myriad treatments that can improve patients’ quality of life, increase their lifespan with good quality of life and we have interventions that can fix and cure certain heart abnormalities. In addition to the impact on patients’ lives, the understanding of the physics and mechanics of the heart coupled with rapid technological advances offers so many opportunities to “rewire” the heart with a minimally invasive approach.
When you were starting out, was there ever a time you doubted your choice? If so, how did you handle that?
Interestingly, I never doubted my choice. In undergraduate at Emory University, I majored in Spanish and then changed to Economics, attended the London School of Economics, however I made sure I took all of the premed required classes. I knew I would be studying medicine the rest of my life so why not study anything else I could while I had the opportunity in college.
What makes you most passionate about the field of cardiac electrophysiology?
The ability to truly have a positive impact on patients and their families’ lives. When a patient has been struggling and we comprehensively address the underlying problem, the smiles and feedback from them, their husband, wife or children is priceless.
What advice would you give to a person pursuing a career in medicine?
I tell them it is one of the most rewarding career paths anyone can take. I remind them that the courses they take in college are in no way indicative of what it is like to be a physician. The classes (chemistry, organic chemistry, basic biology) are to identify students with the aptitude necessary to succeed in medical school. I tell them I did not have anything close to a passion for those classes, but I love medicine. I advise them that when they are in medical school to gravitate towards the fields in which they feel the most passion.
What is the toughest decision you’ve had to make during your medical career?
The toughest decision in my career came at the end of medical school when you have to decide the type of residency to pursue. I was drawn to the intellectual side of internal medicine, and I truly loved performing surgery. I chose internal medicine because I wanted to understand, diagnose and treat the disease processes. Interestingly, I later chose the specialty in internal medicine that is most surgically focused so ultimately, I now have a combination of both internal medicine and surgery.
What do you think it is that has made you successful?
I love what I do. When you enjoy going to work, taking care of patients, learning about new advances and techniques, success is inevitable. Motivation from passion never feels like a burden and will breed excellence and success.
What has been the most satisfying moment of your career?
It is impossible to identify the most satisfying moment, however the most satisfying experience continues to be patient and family feedback. When the wife of the patient tells me at the 3-month follow-up that she has her husband back or a patient says they can physically do all the things they were able to 5 years ago or a patient’s defibrillator saves their life, and they show me pictures of them attending their grandchild’s graduation 6 months after the event.
What are some of your thoughts on the future and advancement in your medical field? What are you most excited about?
There are few fields in medicine that have had as many advancements in knowledge complemented by technology to intervene as in cardiac electrophysiology. It was not until 1999 that we even knew where atrial fibrillation (AFib) came from. Since then, there has been extensive research understanding additional mechanisms and then technology to safely and effectively control most atrial fibrillation through minimally invasive catheter ablation. The holy grail in cardiac electrophysiology for which I am most excited is catheter ablation for AFib that is close to 100% effective. We have come a long way but that would be absolutely amazing.
How do you feel Artificial Intelligence can impact the field? Do you have any concerns?
I think Artificial Intelligence has a long way to go to become impactful. For many decades, humans have not been able to teach EKG (ECG) machines to read EKGs with a high level of accuracy. A start for Artificial Intelligence would be accurate automated EKG analysis.
What literature has inspired you in both your practice and personal life? Why?
I have combined stoic literature and writings of Brene Brown, Tara Brach and Marsha Linehan to guide my personal life and interactions with my patients. Though these teachings seem disparate, they are very complimentary in inspiring success while embodying compassion and empathy.