Heathrow FL – Leonard S. Dreifus, MD age 92, died March 30, 2017 at home surrounded by his loving family.

Dr. Dreifus is survived by his wife of 59 years, Seline, his three sons, seven grandchildren, and one great-grandchild. His oldest – Henry, married to Rosa, children Emilee, Daniel, Marilee, Jonathan married to Rachel. Second – David, married to Kate, children Kathleen and David married to Kaitlyn, daughter Reagan. Youngest – Lenny, married to Laura, children Stephanie, Julia, and Elizabeth.

Born and raised in Philadelphia, he attended Central High School. After graduation, he served in the Army and then the Army Air Corps during World War II. After an honorable discharge, he attended the University of Pennsylvania and later Hahnemann Medical College where he earned his MD degree in 1951. Specializing in Cardiology, he had a distinguished career contributing to the field of Cardiology through active research and discovery, creating the Cardiology Fellowship Programs at Hahnemann and Lankenau Hospitals dedicated to Cardiovascular Research and teaching. He mentored many Cardiologists from around the world.

He met and married his wife Seline in 1958. They lived in the Philadelphia suburbs until 1995, after which they migrated to central Florida. Dr. Dreifus continued his cardiology practice with the Central Florida Cardiology Group and then later volunteered at the Orlando Health Care Center for the Homeless, Shepherds Hope Clinic and Grace Medical Home.

His family was always his first priority. Dr. Dreifus also had a passion for scientific discovery and teaching, and provided compassionate care for his patients. He was an internationally renowned Clinical Cardiologist who lectured around the world sharing his knowledge.

In addition to his love of Cardiology and helping people, he enjoyed music, art, and photography. He served as President of the American College of Cardiology and the American Heart Association of Southeastern Pennsylvania, Chief of Cardiology in the departments at the US Army Hospital in Valley Forge, Lankenau Hospital and Hahnemann Hospital, Professor of Medicine at several Philadelphia area hospitals, and on the Editorial Boards of several prestigious journals. He was an expert in Electrophysiology, Cardiac Arrhythmias, Pacemakers, Electrocardiography. His research results were published in more than 250 papers and books. He received numerous honors and awards. Dr. Dreifus was a distinguished Professor of Physiology at Hahnemann University, Thomas Jefferson University Hospital in Philadelphia, the University of South Florida, and was Emeritus Professor of Medicine and Physiology at Drexel University.

"To know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived; this is to have succeeded."

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in his memory to either:

Lankenau Medical Center Foundation, Cardiovascular Fellowship Fund, Medical Office Bldg. East – Suite 564, 100 Lancaster Avenue, Wynnewood, PA 19096 (online at www.mainlinehealth.org/supportlmc ) for research and educating future Cardiologists.

OR:

The Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra, 425 North Bumby Ave, Orlando, FL 32803, (407) 896-6700 extension 224, ( http://my.orlandophil.org/dev/contribute.aspx ) preserving a lasting legacy of music and arts for future generations.