With more than 50 years experience in the medical device industry, Dr. Villafaña's contributions to the cardiovascular field are numerous. They include the first lithium pacemaker, the first all-pyrolytic carbon heart valve, as well as, further important refinements to central-flow design of prosthetic valves, and with Kips Bay, the first commercially available support system for saphenous veins used in CABG surgery.

Manny started his career with Medtronic, Inc., as its first international sales administrator. He is the Founder of Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc. (Guidant Corp) and served as its President and Chairman from 1972 to 1976. He is the Founder of St. Jude Medical, Inc. and served as its Chairman and President from 1976 to 1982. He is a Co-Founder of GV Medical, Inc., a company formed to develop, manufacture and market the LASTAC System. He served as the Chairman of the Board of CABG Medical, Inc. and GV Medical, Inc. He also served as Chairman of the Board and Founder of ATS Medical, Inc., now a part of Medtronic, Inc.

Manny has received numerous awards and honors for his accomplishments, including the “Living Legend of Medicine” award from the World Society of Cardiothoracic Surgeons; the Ellis Island Medal of Honor; Grand Prize Recipient from the Mediterranean Institute of Cardiology; the Ernst & Young LLP; National Master Entrepreneur of the Year; the Top 100 Hispanics in USA; member of the Boys and Girls Clubs of America Hall of Fame; inducted into the Minnesota Business Hall of Fame. Dr. Villafaña attended Cardinal Hayes High School, Bronx, New York. He has been awarded an honorary doctoral degree from the University of Iowa.