The WHF, based in Geneva, is a non-governmental organization focused on coordinating the programs of its 204 member cardiovascular societies and foundations worldwide in the global fight against heart disease and stroke, with an emphasis on low and middle income countries. The American Heart Association and the American College of Cardiology are member organizations representing the United States.

Dr. Smith’s tenure as president will include presiding at the 2012 WHF World Congress of Cardiology in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, in 2012. The WHF held its last Congress in 2010 in Beijing, China. One of Dr. Smith’s major goals for the WHF is to bring cardiovascular disease to the forefront of the global health agenda through a partnership with the Non-Communicable Disease Alliance. He will also attend a United Nations summit in September 2011 to discuss the global problem of cardiovascular disease. In addition major programs in international guidelines have been initiated.

While serving as president Dr. Smith will continue to be clinically active, working at UNC as an attending physician and seeing his regular patients.

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