Renowned UMaine alum Bernard Lown may be featured on a dollar coin 

University of Maine alumnus Bernard Lown — a pioneering cardiologist, author and peace activist who invented the direct-current heart-defibrillator — may be featured on a U.S. dollar coin in 2024. 

Officials from the U.S. Mint have presented a design featuring the 2024 American Innovation $1 coin for Maine. The design must ultimately be approved by U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen. As part of its American Innovation $1 Coin program, the U.S. Mint is releasing new $1 dollar coin designs that honor innovation and innovators from each of the 50 states by 2032. 

“We are proud to see a distinguished UMaine alum honored in such a prestigious manner,” says Thomas Peaco, president and CEO of the University of Maine Alumni Association. “His work continues to inspire current and future UMaine students.”

Lown, who immigrated to Lewiston from Lithuania when he was 14, earned a bachelor’s degree in zoology from UMaine in 1942. He co-founded the International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War, an effort that earned him the 1985 Nobel Peace Prize. He also co-founded Physicians for Social Responsibility in 1960.

His invention of the direct-current heart-defibrillator in 1962 made open heart surgery possible and led to advances in cardiovascular health. He died on Feb. 16, 2021 at the age of 99. 

In recognition of Lown’s career and his life’s work, the UMaine Alumni Association annually presents the Bernard Lown ’42 Humanitarian Award to graduates who distinguish themselves in humanitarian service.

Contact: Marcus Wolf, 207.581.3721; marcus.wolf@maine.edu