The Texas Heart Institute Update
Bringing the Future of Cardiovascular Health to Life!
February is Heart Month: Your Support Fuels Heart Health
Dear Friends,
Each year, we commemorate February as Heart Month, which serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of cardiovascular health and the steps we can take to prevent heart disease. Cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of death worldwide, claiming nearly 18 million lives each year. In the United States alone, someone has a heart attack every 40 seconds—a stark statistic that underscores the urgency of our mission.
At The Texas Heart Institute, we are deeply committed to reducing these numbers through innovative research, education, and preventive care. Your generous support allows us to advance groundbreaking studies in early detection of heart and vascular disease and fund community programs aimed at promoting healthy lifestyles. From exploring the latest in cardiovascular imaging to providing resources for at-risk populations, your contributions directly impact our ability to fight heart disease before it begins.
This February, we encourage everyone to focus on their heart health by staying active, eating a balanced diet, and knowing the signs of heart disease. Together, with your support, we are making strides toward a healthier future for all. Thank you for being a vital part of this journey.
Let’s make every heartbeat count.
Learn more about our initiatives and how you can help at www.texasheart.org
With Gratitude,
Joseph G. Rogers, M.D.
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BREAKING BOUNDRIES
Dr. Yaxin Wang Named as First Female Endowed Chair for Innovative Device & Engineering Applications
Yaxin Wang, PhD, has been announced as the John S. Dunn Endowed Chair in Innovative Device & Engineering Applications (IDEA). This historic appointment recognizes Dr. Wang’s remarkable contributions to cardiovascular research and solidifies her leadership of the IDEA Lab.
“This endowed chair not only honors Dr. Wang’s exceptional achievements but also underscores the importance of fostering the next generation of cardiovascular pioneers,” said Joseph G. Rogers, MD, Director, The Texas Heart Institute at Baylor College of Medicine.
Read the story here.
Providing Exceptional Patient Care at The Texas Heart Institute Center for Cardiovascular Care
At The Texas Heart Institute Center for Cardiovascular Care (THICCC), our commitment to providing world-class cardiovascular care is reflected in the overwhelmingly positive feedback from our patients. Recent satisfaction survey results highlight the dedication and professionalism of our team:
- Ease of Scheduling: Over 90% of patients rated scheduling an appointment as good, very good, or excellent.
- Warm Welcomes: An impressive 99.48% praised the friendliness and courtesy of our reception staff.
- Nursing Excellence: 98.46% recognized the care and concern demonstrated by our nurses and medical assistants.
- Physician Interaction: 99.40% felt their doctor thoroughly addressed questions and explained everything clearly.
- High Recommendations: Over 99% of respondents would recommend THICCC to friends or family based on their experience with our non-physician staff.
Your support as donors ensures we can continue to deliver compassionate care and groundbreaking advancements in cardiovascular health.
Thank you for helping us set the standard for excellence!
Dr. Hartzell Vernon Schaff Receives the 2025 Ray C. Fish Award
We are thrilled to announce Dr. Hartzell Vernon Schaff, the Stuart W. Harrington Professor of Surgery at Mayo Clinic, is the recipient of the 2025 Ray C. Fish Award for Scientific Achievement. This prestigious award celebrates individuals whose groundbreaking innovations have significantly advanced the fields of cardiovascular medicine and surgery.
Dr. Schaff’s distinguished career spans more than four decades, marked by transformative contributions to adult and congenital cardiac surgery. He has authored or co-authored over 1,200 peer-reviewed papers, 110 book chapters, and nine textbooks, influencing surgical practices and improving patient outcomes worldwide. Colleagues describe him as a “pure genius intuitive surgeon,” whose precision and dedication have guided some of the most complex surgical cases.
Our progress would not be possible without the confidence, commitment and support of our donor community. We express profound gratitude for your continued support.
Please note, VP of Developmeent, Julie Voss, is no longer with The Texas Heart Institute. If you should have any questions or need to reach out to the THI Development department, please contact Marcia N. Strauss at 832-355-9531 or mstrauss@texasheart.org.
