Dr. Nabil El Sherif

Biography of Dr. Nabil E El-Sherif
April 15, 1938 - June 14, 2025
Dr. Nabil El-Sherif was a pioneering cardiologist whose groundbreaking research and clinical work transformed the understanding and treatment of heart rhythm disorders. Over the course of his remarkable six-decade career, he established himself as one of the world's leading authorities in cardiac electrophysiology, touching countless lives through his medical innovations and compassionate patient care.
Personal Life and Family
Born on April 15, 1938, Dr. El-Sherif came from a large, close-knit family with five siblings. This early foundation of strong family bonds shaped his character and influenced his warm, caring approach to both his patients and colleagues throughout his life.
Dr. El-Sherif's personal journey included two meaningful marriages that brought him great joy and fulfillment. His first marriage was to Laila El-Sherif, a union that blessed them with four wonderful children: Tarek, Yasir, and twins Mona and Khalid. After becoming a widower, he found love again with Gioia Turitto and their partnership lasted until his passing. He was also blessed with seven loving grandchildren, Jesenia, Layla, Ayman, Maryam, Logan, Noah, and Jaxen.
When not immersed in his medical work, Dr. El-Sherif pursued a variety of enriching hobbies that reflected his curious and cultured nature. He was a passionate collector of antiques, often spending hours browsing antique shops and sites in search of unique pieces that spoke to him. His love of literature led him to amass an impressive personal library. Travel was another great passion - he explored destinations around the globe, always eager to experience new cultures and broaden their horizons.
While maintaining his primary residence in Manhattan to be close to his work, Dr. El-Sherif found peace and renewal at his beloved Long Island home. Weekends there provided him with the perfect retreat where he could tend to his collections, enjoy quiet moments by the bay, and host family gatherings that created lasting memories.
Education and Early Career.
Dr. El-Sherif's medical journey began at Cairo University School of Medicine, where he graduated in 1960. After completing his post-graduate training at Cairo University Hospitals, he made the significant decision to continue his medical education in the United States. He completed his cardiology residency at Mount Sinai Medical Center in Miami Beach, Florida, setting the stage for what would become an extraordinary career in American medicine.
Professional Journey
Dr. El-Sherif's American medical career truly flourished when he joined the State University of New York (SUNY) Downstate Medical Center in 1978 as a Professor of Medicine and Physiology. His exceptional clinical skills and natural leadership abilities were quickly recognized, leading to his appointment as director of the Cardiology division at Downstate in 1984.
His commitment to serving patients extended across multiple institutions throughout the Brooklyn medical community. He became an integral part of the medical team at Kings County Medical Center, where his expertise benefited countless patients in need of specialized cardiac care. Perhaps most notably, he dedicated nearly four decades of his career to the New York Veterans Affairs Health Care Center, Brooklyn campus, where he served as Director of the Cardiology Division from the mid-1980s until his retirement in 2024. His long tenure at the VA reflected his deep commitment to caring for those who had served their country.
Research Breakthroughs and Innovation
Throughout his 45-year research career, Dr. El-Sherif consistently secured federal and non-federal grants to support his groundbreaking work. His research brilliantly connected the dots between molecular biology, ion channel physiology, cellular electrophysiology, and the real-world clinical presentations that patients experienced.
One of his most significant contributions came in the 1980s with the discovery of what he termed the ''figure-of-eight model of reentry.'' This breakthrough revealed the electrical mechanism behind certain potentially fatal heart rhythm disorders, providing crucial insight that helped doctors identify the best locations for surgical intervention or catheter-based treatments to eliminate dangerous arrhythmias.
Working collaboratively with colleagues, Dr. El-Sherif helped develop transcatheter radiofrequency ablation, a minimally invasive procedure that revolutionized the treatment of irregular heartbeats. This innovative approach uses a specialized catheter to deliver precisely controlled radiofrequency energy to specific areas of the heart, effectively normalizing problematic rhythms with far less risk than traditional surgical approaches.
His research into internal defibrillators represented another major area of contribution. Over many years, Dr. El-Sherif and his dedicated team implanted these life-saving devices in hundreds of patients at high risk for sudden cardiac death. Simultaneously, he worked tirelessly to develop better methods for identifying which patients would benefit most from these sophisticated and expensive devices, ensuring that resources were used most effectively.
Academic Achievements and Recognition
Dr. El-Sherif's scholarly output was truly impressive, encompassing over 500 peer-reviewed manuscripts, comprehensive reviews, and detailed book chapters. His expertise was further demonstrated through his editorial work on eight books focused on cardiac arrhythmias. He also contributed his knowledge as a member of editorial boards for several prestigious medical journals, helping to shape the direction of cardiac research and clinical practice.
The medical community recognized his exceptional contributions with several of the field's highest honors. In 2016, he received the Distinguished Science Award from the American College of Cardiology, joining an exclusive group of only 55 cardiologists worldwide to receive this recognition since its inception in 1982. The Heart Rhythm Society honored him with their Pioneer of Cardiac Pacing and Electrophysiology Award in 2010, while the European Cardiac Arrhythmia Society presented him with their Outstanding Achievement Award in 2007.
Lasting Impact
Dr. El-Sherif's work fundamentally changed how doctors approach and treat heart rhythm problems. His innovations helped two distinct groups of patients: those experiencing troublesome but non-life-threatening symptoms like palpitations, dizziness, or fatigue could often be completely cured through the radiofrequency ablation techniques he helped develop. For patients facing more serious rhythm disorders that could lead to sudden death, his research provided new hope and more effective treatment options.
Beyond his scientific achievements, Dr. El-Sherif will be remembered as a physician who never lost sight of the human element in medicine. His colleagues recall his thoughtful mentorship of young doctors, his genuine concern for each patient's wellbeing, and his ability to explain complex medical concepts in ways that patients and families could understand.
Dr. Nabil El-Sherif's legacy lives on through the countless lives he touched, the medical professionals he mentored, and the scientific advances that continue to help patients around the world. His dedication to excellence, compassion for others, and relentless pursuit of medical knowledge serve as an inspiration to all who had the privilege of knowing him.
A celebration of Dr Nabil El- Sherif's life will take place on Wednesday, June 18th from 5- 8 p.m. at the John Vincent Scalia Home for Funerals Inc. 28 Eltingville Blvd Staten Island New York 10312.
In leu of flowers we would like people to donate to a charity that was close to his heart: https://raiseyourwayforaha.funraise.org/fundraiser/mona-el-sherif