Cleveland Clinic seeking leader for cardiology unit

CLEVELAND (AP) -- Cleveland Clinic officials plan to form a search committee to evaluate external and internal candidates to lead the hospital's distinguished cardiology program.
Dr. Steven Nissen was appointed interim chairman after Dr. Eric Topol announced last week he was leaving to become a genetics professor at nearby Case Western Reserve University.
Dr. Nissen has spent the past five years leading the hospital's cardiovascular coordinating center, which directs multicenter clinical trials.
"He has tremendous respect from his colleagues in the department, and he has my respect as well," said Dr. James Young, chairman of the clinic's division of medicine.
Dr. Nissen will be a candidate for the permanent post heading up cardiovascular medicine, Young said.
In an interview with The Plain Dealer for a story Monday, Dr. Nissen hinted at differences between himself and his predecessor.
Dr. Topol was one of the first scientists to raise doubts about the safety of the pain reliever Vioxx and has been a key witness in lawsuits arguing that Merck & amp; Co. concealed the dangers.
Dr. Nissen said he prefers to "stick to the science" in debates about drug safety, although he calls for reporting all clinical trial results, even when negative. He described himself as an advocate for public health, not a crusader against the drug industry.