Distinguished with more than 30 patents, R. Lee Heath is best known as the inventor of 'hands-free' noninvasive cardiac defibrillation and pacing 'combo-pads', or 'R2-Pads' electrodes, now a world-wide standard. In 1995, he was recommended by American Heart Association officials, and other peers, for the Lemelson MIT Prize, the highest prize awarded inventors, and credited with making possible the modern AED (Automatic External Defibrillator) and related intermediate first responder programs. view Lemelson MIT letters
Mr. Heath has been involved with Emergency Medical ALS Communications since the early 1970's representing Biocom, the first developer of EMS telemetry systems, popularly known through the TV Series 'Emergency'. This was prior even to the entrance of Motorola and others into this field. Others he has represented, or consulted to, in the medical field, have included Datascope, Harlake Cyprane, Imed, Cape Waine, British Oxygen, Inspiron, Bird Corporation, Electro Medical Systems, Cardiac Pacemaker Corporation, Applied Medical Research, Cardio-Data, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, General Devices, Philips Medical Systems (IMS Expert Services), and many others. Philips is the world's largest manufacturer and supplier of AEDs. In the early 1990's he represented both Ameritech and Cortronix pioneering EMS medical priority access through cellular communication networks.
R. Lee Heath has consulted and participated in the design and installation of major hospital and metropolitan emergency communications systems for prominent institutions including Northwest Community EMS, Milwaukee County EMS, Cook County EMS Chicago, Detroit Fire Department EMS, University of Chicago EMS, Advocate Healthcare, City of Tucson EMS, and many others. He is currently involved in the design and deployment of critical interoperative communications for addressing potential terrorism, mass casualty incidents, EMS telemedicine, and centralized prehospital data collection for C.Q.I.
Mr. Heath has served 34 years in the medical industry, with more than 15 years in senior management positions. In 1978, Mr. Heath was the sole founder of R2 Corporation, where he was also Chairman of its Board for eight years. He was also the sole inventor of all of its products, including the 'R2 Pads'. In 1986, he finished his tenure at R2 as its Chief Executive Officer. This was after his management of a successful public stock offering on NASDAQ. Prior to R2 he managed the medical services and distribution business of Zenex Corporation from 1972 to 1978. During the period, Zenex was a major supplier of many medical products used in virtually all areas of the hospital and prehospital care markets.
From 1986, Mr. Heath is listed in, "Who's Who in Technology" for his "significant contributions to the knowledge and application of science, engineering, or technology." He has been guest speaker or served on the faculties of the American College of Emergency Physicians, the Association for Advancement of Medical Instrumentation, the U.S. Federal Food and Drug Administration, Sweden's University of Lund, Northwestern University, and American Heart Association courses for Advanced Cardiac Life Support at many major universities, hospitals, and medical or civil institutions world-wide. Mr. Heath has served on many committees of the Association for Advancement of Medical Instrumentation participating in the development of voluntary minimum device efficacy and safety standards for the F.D.A.
Mr. Heath is a member of the Computer Security Institute, the Association for Advancement of Medical Instrumentation, and a Professional Member of the American Heart Association. He is currently attending the W.P. Cary School of Business at Arizona State University. He has a host of new patents and trademarks pending in the U.S. and International patent offices.
Mr. Heath, with offices based in Tempe, Arizona and Wilmette, Illinois, has been an exclusive sales agent for General Devices, the manufacturer of CAREpoint, Rosetta, and e-Bridge in select states nationally for as long as eighteen years. These states include Arizona, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Wisconsin, and Missouri.
Previous to entering the medical field Mr. Heath, a native of Tulsa, attended Oklahoma State University. He later completed courses from the Nathaniel Branden Institute and the J. Arthur Solomon Institute. He is Commissioner for the Scottish Clan Barclay in Arizona and New Mexico, pursuing interests in his Scottish and Celtic heritage, and is an avid mountain biker and Nordic skier.
