The Washington Post recently profiled an extraordinary journey that reflects the very best of what inspires our work at The Texas Heart Institute at Baylor College of Medicine. The story follows Mesfin Yana Dollar (THI ’17), who overcame life-threatening rheumatic heart disease as a child in Ethiopia and went on to build a distinguished career in cardiac care and includes training as a perfusionist here at The Texas Heart Institute.
Mesfin’s path is remarkable. After being brought to the United States for lifesaving surgery as a teenager, he recovered, pursued his education with determination, and ultimately found his calling in the operating room. His decision to become a perfusionist brought him to THI, where he completed his clinical training in our world-renowned School of Perfusion Technology. His time here helped shape the technical expertise and clinical judgment he now brings to some of the most complex open-heart surgeries performed at the Mayo Clinic.
Today, Mesfin stands beside the very surgeon who saved his life more than two decades ago, working together on cardiac surgery missions in Ethiopia to expand access to care for patients facing the same challenges he once endured. His story is one of resilience, gratitude, and the global ripple effect of compassionate medical innovation.
We are proud to see a THI-trained perfusionist making such a profound impact on patient care around the world. Mesfin represents the excellence and purpose that define The Texas Heart Institute and the countless students who train here each year.
Read the full story in The Washington Post to learn more about Mesfin’s inspiring journey here.
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