David Frankel, an assistant professor of cardiovascular medicine in the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, received the Pennsylvania Medical Society (PAMED)’s Physician 40 Under 40 award, a new award given to honor early career physicians who are leaders in their field.

Dr. Frankel joined Penn Medicine’s cardiovascular medicine division in 2011. According to Francis E. Marchlinski, director of electrophysiology for the University of Pennsylvania Health System who nominated Dr. Frankel for the award, Dr. Frankel “quickly developed a reputation as a ‘physician’s physician’ and a leader in education.”

In July 2014, Dr. Frankel was appointed fellowship director for the cardiovascular electrophysiology section of the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, the state’s largest electrophysiology training program.

Dr. Frankel’s work has already impacted the way patients with cardiac arrhythmia disorders are treated around the world. He helped develop a new catheter ablation technique to cure ventricular arrhythmias and he was the first to describe the role of non-invasive programmed stimulation following ventricular tachycardia ablation to predict risk of recurrence. Dr. Frankel also has authored 58 original scientific publications.

“In only a few short years here at Penn Medicine, Dave has had a tremendous impact on the department, and in the field of cardiovascular medicine,” said Thomas Cappola, chief of the division of cardiovascular medicine. “There is no question that he is a leader in the field, and that he will continue to pioneer new techniques that will undoubtedly benefit the field of electrophysiology.”