Welcome to the Section of Cardiology
We are delighted you are interested in the clinical, research, and educational missions of the Section of Cardiology at Baylor College of Medicine. Whether you are a patient, prospective trainee, or collaborator, we invite you to explore all that we offer in advancing heart health.
Our mission is to provide comprehensive, patient-centered cardiovascular care while advancing discovery and training future leaders in cardiology. With over 140 faculty, trainees, and staff, we are proud to be nationally and internationally recognized for our clinical achievements, innovation, and scientific leadership.
We deliver high-quality care across the full spectrum of cardiovascular disease, including prevention, heart failure, transplantation, and advanced procedures at leading institutions such as Baylor St. Luke’s Medical Center, Texas Heart Institute, Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center (MEDVAMC), Ben Taub Hospital, and Texas Children’s Hospital. Recent clinical milestones include a 24% increase in heart transplants, the establishment of a donor heart preservation program using the Organ Care System, and preclinical work leading to the first-in-human implantation of the BiVACOR Total Artificial Heart.
Our teams continue to pioneer novel interventions, including pulsed-field ablation, leadless pacemaker programs, and advanced plaque modification therapies. MEDVAMC was the first VA in the country to perform cardiac contractile modulation and MICRA leadless right atrial implantation. Ben Taub received Gold, Gold Plus, and Platinum awards from the AHA and ACC for excellence in STEMI, NSTEMI, and heart failure care.
Cardiology research at Baylor continues to grow, with more than $1.1 million in funding this year and continued impact from a $30.7 million PCORI grant for the Left vs. Left trial. Our investigators also earned grants in artificial intelligence and cardiovascular diversity research, contributed to national guidelines, and held leadership roles in major scientific societies. Dr. Biykem Bozkurt was honored with the ACC’s 2024 Bahr Award of Excellence and the Distinguished Leadership Award from the Heart Failure Society of America.
Education remains a cornerstone of our mission. Our nationally competitive fellowship program also supports their success with initiatives like simulation training for echocardiography and the "Evenings with the Experts" series. In 2024, our fellows were named national champions in the ACC Fellows in Training Jeopardy competition. Faculty-led bootcamps and lecture series continue to enhance clinical training and professional development.
Thank you for visiting our website and learning more about our section. We are proud to serve our patients and community with expertise, compassion, and commitment.
Christie Mitchell Ballantyne, M.D.
Professor of Medicine
Chief, Section of Cardiology