HCMA Online Discussion Group and Education Group Leader

Paul Perlman hosts HCMA's "Pre-myectomy" online education group and he co-hosts a monthly “All Things Myectomy” online discussion group.

Paul's dedication to educating the HCM community about myectomy surgery, from a patient perspective, is invaluable.  Whether a patient is making the decision about undergoing myectomy surgery and has questions or, if a patient has already decided surgery is right for them and want to know how to prepare for surgery, Paul is there to support them through the process.

Paul has also represented his online discussion group peers as a guest on our "Tales from the Heart" podcast and he participated in our 2023 "HCM Awareness Day" event.  During both events he has shared the importance of patient peer support and other HCMA.

More about Paul:

I am Paul Perlman, a retired lawyer from Orchard Park, NY. I was diagnosed with HCM in 2013 at the Cleveland Clinic, and received an ICD later that year. After my symptoms became more pronounced over the next three years, I had a surgical myectomy in 2016.
Since retiring in 2017, I have taught at a local college, and served on my college's Foundation Board. For 25 years before I was diagnosed, I was a general aviation pilot.
Being an online discussion group leader is important to me because one of the greatest sources of anxiety to people living with HCM is fear of the unknown. I believe that anxiety can be reduced by sharing our questions and experiences.