Morton Mower

Morton Maimon Mower (January 31, 1933 – April 25, 2022) was an American cardiologist specializing in electrophysiology and the co-inventor of the automatic implantable cardioverter defibrillator. He served in several professional capacities at Sinai Hospital and Cardiac Pacemakers Inc. In 1996, he became the chairman and chief executive officer of Mower Research Associates. He was inducted into the National Inventors Hall of Fame in 2002 for the development of the automatic implantable cardioverter defibrillator with Michel Mirowski in the 1970s. He continued his research in the biomechanical engineering laboratories at Johns Hopkins University.

Early life Morton Mower was born in Baltimore and raised in Frederick, Maryland, the son of Pauline Maimon and Robert Mower. His family was Jewish.

When Mower was 15 years old, Mower's uncle fell ill and a family physician made frequent house calls to treat the uncle. Mower was inspired by the outstanding quality of patient care the family physician provided. As a result, Mower applied to Johns Hopkins University to pursue pre-medical studies. After returning from Germany, he served his residency and a fellowship in cardiology at Sinai Hospital in Baltimore.

He died from cancer on April 25, 2022.

Social involvement Mower has served on the Board of Jewish Recovery Houses, an organization that helps Jewish men and women in the early stages of recovery from alcohol and drug addiction. He served on the board of directors of House of Hope, a faith based recovery house for Jewish men, founded in 1994 by Baltimore community activists Jon and Ina Singer. Mower and his wife have also been very involved with Tova House, a recovery house for Jewish women, founded several years later by the Associated Jewish Charities of Baltimore and subsequently purchased from the Associated by House of Hope. The recovery houses use a twelve-step program to rehabilitate drug and alcohol addicts. All residents are required to attend Friday Shabbat dinners. Mower explained, "The addicts felt put off that they had to go to churches for their AA meetings. It's a very self-destructive feeling. You're all alone.”

Mower was also a member of the Jewish National Fund, Hadassah, and Ben Gurion University.

About his interest in art, Mower said, “For me collecting these etchings has been a unique opportunity to demystify some of the techniques of art and gain insight into those times. I’ve long been fascinated with modes of multiple reproductions—silkscreen, lithography, engraving. Etching was the photography of Rembrandt’s day. And he gives us a window into both the everyday life and cosmopolitan themes that captured his imagination.”

Political contributions In 2008, Mower contributed $2,000 to the political action committee of Republican Andy Harris (U.S. Congress). In 2007, Mower contributed $2,600 to the political action committee of Republican Michael Steele (U.S. Congress). In 2000, Mower contributed $1,000 to the political action committee of Republican Paul Rappaport (U.S. Senate).

Hobbies Mower was an avid skier and offered informal ski lessons.

Work before death Mower continued his research in the biomechanical engineering laboratories at Johns Hopkins University. His last work focused on the correction of auricular fibrillation.

Legacy

In celebration of the twenty-fifth anniversary of the first successful implantation of the automatic implantable cardioverter defibrillator, Sinai Hospital renamed the Sinai Medical Office Building on Belvedere Avenue in Baltimore the Morton Mower, M.D. Medical Office Building. Neil M. Meltzer, president and chief operating officer of Sinai Hospital, said, “It is an honor, on behalf of the institution where their journey began, to salute the enduring legacy of Michel Mirowski, M.D., and Morton Mower, M.D. The research done here, at Sinai Hospital, by Mirowski and Mower has helped improve the quality of life for thousands of patients. The hospital continues to follow in their footsteps, providing the highest level of commitment to cardiology and medicine to its patients.”

Key patents Method and apparatus for treating hemodynamic dysfunction

Method and Apparatus to Allow Cyclic Pacing at an Average Rate Just Above the Intrinsic Heart Rate so as to Maximize Inotropic Pacing Effects at Minimal Heart Rates

Cardioverting Device Having Single Intravascular Catheter Electrode System and Method for its Use

Cardiac Electrode with Attachment Fin

Atrial Sensing and Multiple Site Stimulation as Intervention Means for Atrial Fibrillation

Method and apparatus for correcting abnormal cardiac activity by low energy shocks

Low Energy Defibrillation Electrode

Antitachycardial Pacing

System and method for multiple site biphasic stimulation to revert ventricular arrhythmias