Ernst Philip Boas

Ernst Philip Boas (February 4, 1891 – March 9, 1955) was an American physician. He is a pioneer in the fields of pathology and physiology and was a highly respected expert in chronic diseases of the heart. He developed the cardiotachometer, a widely used instrument for measuring the rapidity of heartbeat.

Boas served as medical director of several leading hospitals in New York City, including Montefiore Hospital and Mount Sinai Hospital, and as professor of cardiology at Columbia University's College of Physicians and Surgeons and its Teachers College. He authored several books and scientific articles, mostly on the subject of cardiovascular disease.

Boas was born in Worcester, Massachusetts to German anthropologist Franz Boas, regarded by many as the father of modern anthropology. Boas earned both his B.S. and M.D. degrees from Columbia University. He was elected to the American Philosophical Society for outstanding scientific contributions to the study of heart disease, particularly cholesterol and arteriosclerosis. He was a member of the honor societies of Phi Beta Kappa in liberal arts, Pi Gamma Mu in social sciences, and Alpha Omega Alpha in medicine.

Boas was an early advocate of a universal health care system and insurance, and equal distribution of medical services. In 1939, he organized a group called the Physician's Forum for the Study of Medical Care to study and discuss health care issues. It had a membership of about 3,000 doctors from the American Medical Association, which at the time opposed universal health insurance. In addition to his medical director and teaching positions, he also served on a variety of public health committees organized by New York City government.

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