American Heart Association
The American Heart Association grew out of a set of smaller precursor groups. The primary precursor was the Association for the Prevention and Relief of Heart Disease, formed in New York City in 1915, to study whether patients with heart disease could safely return to work. Several similar organizations formed or evolved in Boston, Philadelphia, and Chicago in the 1920s. Recognizing the need for a national organization to share research and promote findings, the American Heart Association was formed in 1924 by six cardiologists representing several of these precursor groups.
Interamerican Society of Cardiology
After a fruitful exchange of ideas at this meeting, it was concluded that, in fact, the event had actually constituted an Interamerican Congress and the suggestion was to acknowledge it as such. Those attending did so and decided to form the Interamerican Society of Cardiology and to recognize the event as the first Interamerican Congress of Cardiology. It was also decided to delegate upon Dr. Chavez the task of drawing up the articles of incorporation and bylaws of the Society, and he was requested to convene another Interamerican Congress of Cardiology in Mexico City when World War II ended. Dr. Ignacio Chavez was unanimously elected as President of the Interamerican Society of Cardiology.