Charles Berul

Charles Berul, M.D., receives Meritorious Achievement Award

Charles Berul

Charles Berul, M.D., chief of Cardiology at Children’s National Hospital has earned a lifetime achievement award, the 2021 Council on Lifelong Congenital Heart Disease and Heart Health in the Young (Young Hearts) Meritorious Achievement Award.

The Meritorious Achievement Award recognizes a person whose achievements have made a significant impact in the field of congenital heart disease and heart health in the young and have helped to further the mission of the Young Hearts council. The council’s mission is to improve the health of children and adults with congenital heart disease and acquired heart disease during childhood through research, education, prevention and advocacy.

Dr. Berul received this award in recognition of his lifelong achievements in the field of pediatric electrophysiology. He is known for his development of innovative electrophysiologic studies for phenotypic evaluations of genetically manipulated pre-clinical models. Over the past two decades, his research focus and passion have been to develop novel minimally invasive approaches to the heart and improving methods for pediatric pacing and defibrillation.

He has also mentored dozens of trainees who have gone on to successful careers and particularly advocates for young investigators and clinician-scientists. He is known for his collaborative style and for supporting advancement of faculty physicians in academic medicine.

Dr. Berul has served on multiple society committees, task forces and writing groups, and is currently an associate editor for the Heart Rhythm Society’s journal. He is also actively involved in other key organizations such as Mended Little Hearts and the Pediatric and Congenital Electrophysiology Society (PACES). He has more than 300 publications and is an invited speaker nationally and internationally in the areas of pediatric cardiac electrophysiology and miniaturized device development.

Dr. Berul received the award on November 12 during a virtual presentation at the American Heart Association’s Scientific Sessions. He is the fourth Children’s National cardiologist to be recognized with this prestigious honor from the council in the last decade.