Multi-Year Philanthropic Commitment Empowers the PICS Society to Expand Academy’s Reach and Refine Curriculum for Next Generation of CHD Interventionalists
April 8, 2026 – The Mussallem CHD Alliance (MCA) has awarded a multi-year grant to support the Pediatric and Congenital Interventional Cardiovascular Society (the PICS Society) Early Career Development Academy, a global initiative mentoring early-career congenital heart disease (CHD) interventional cardiologists during their first years in practice. In recognition of this philanthropic commitment, the PICS Society has renamed the program the PICS Society Mussallem Early Career Development Academy (the Academy).
The Academy is an innovative two-year global program designed for early-career CHD interventional cardiologists within five years of completing training. The program blends mentorship, team-based research, leadership opportunities, and virtual and in-person engagement with senior interventional cardiologists and industry R&D innovators. Participants work in multinational teams to pursue meaningful research and build a lasting global network that fosters the next generation of leaders in the cardiology field.
Along with continued support from the program’s Founding Sponsors, the multi-year philanthropic commitment from the Mussallem CHD Alliance will enable the Academy to expand its reach, refine its curriculum, and offer a stable, long-term pathway for mentorship, research, leadership development, and global collaboration.
“We are honored to support the next generation of extraordinary physicians who dedicate their careers to treating children and adults born with congenital heart defects,” said Orin Herskowitz, President of the Mussallem CHD Alliance (MCA). “The PICS Society Mussallem Early Career Development Academy addresses a critical need—providing structured mentorship and global collaboration opportunities during the formative years following formal training. By investing in these talented early-career physicians, we are investing in better outcomes for CHD patients worldwide.”
The Academy addresses the need identified by senior congenital cardiologists for continued and structured mentorship during the first years of independent practice. The curriculum covers clinical topics, complex case management, teamwork, medical reasoning, research methodology, industry collaboration, and leadership development.
“The Academy is grounded in a simple vision: to build a global, enduring community of early-career interventionalists who elevate care for patients with CHD worldwide,” said Dr. Ziyad M. Hijazi, President of the PICS Society. “The PICS Society Mussallem Early Career Development Academy represents a transformative investment in the future of our field. We are grateful for this partnership and MCA’s commitment to advancing care for patients with congenital heart disease.”
Following the launch of the Academy in Fall 2023, the first class will graduate during the PICS Society’s Annual Symposium (August 30-September 2, 2026 in San Diego). Applications for the 2026-2028 Academy cycle are now open. Information about eligibility and how to apply is available here.
About the Mussallem CHD Alliance
The Mussallem CHD Alliance is dedicated to helping people born with congenital heart defects survive and thrive through strategic philanthropic investments in research, education, and clinical innovation.
About the PICS Society
The Pediatric and Congenital Interventional Cardiovascular Society is the leading global organization dedicated to advancing the field of pediatric and adult congenital heart disease interventions through education, research, and collaboration.