David J. Sahn slide collection, undated

Dr. David J. Sahn was born on July 18, 1945 in Brooklyn, NY, and received his medical degree from the Yale School of Medicine in 1969. He completed his internship and residency at Yale New Haven Hospital before becoming a research fellow in pediatric cardiology at the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine. As a research fellow, Dr. Sahn began studying the use of echocardiography for prenatal diagnosis of heart disease and performed the first real-time 2D echocardiogram in the United States in 1972. In 1992, Dr. Sahn moved to Portland, OR, where he served as professor of pediatrics, diagnostic radiology, obstetrics and gynecology, and biomedical engineering at Oregon Health & Science University. He also served as the director of the interdisciplinary program in cardiac imaging and headed the Clinical Care Center for Congenital Heart Disease and Referrals. He was an expert in cardiac imaging and cardiac diagnosis and was highly respected in the field of pediatric and adult congenital heart disease, serving as a professor and mentor to many students, residents and fellows who have since gone on to become leaders in the field themselves. He was highly involved with the advancement of ultrasound over the course of his career and helped to advance medical proficiency in cardiac magnetic resonance, prenatal diagnosis, and management of congenital heart disease. Dr. Sahn passed away on December 31, 2021.