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Bradley Family Endowed Chair awarded to Dr . Shelley Hall
Cardiovascular medicine funds will support training and innovation in the evolving field of critical care cardiology .
In recognition of her outstanding work and research in the field of heart failure , Shelley Hall , MD , chief of transplant cardiology , mechanical circulatory support and heart failure for Baylor University Medical Center ( BUMC ), was named the Bradley Family Endowed Chair in Cardiovascular Medicine at Baylor Scott & White Health .
Dr . Hall boasts an impressive academic and professional career , driven by her deep commitment to the profession and the heart failure patients she has served at BUMC for the last 26 years . In her role , Dr . Hall has been instrumental in the development of the heart transplant program at BUMC , which in 2023 was ranked # 1 in Texas and top 10 in the nation by volume . Since the program ’ s inception , she has actively participated in more than
900 transplant procedures and provided renewed hope for those patients grappling with advanced heart failure .
With funding from this endowment , Dr . Hall plans to launch the inaugural critical care cardiology program , including fellowship training , at BUMC . “ Critical care cardiology is a new field in cardiology that has arisen due to changes in patient care over the past decade or so ,” Dr . Hall said .
The patient population needing cardiac critical care has evolved , with an increase in patients who have multiple medical conditions requiring extended , highly specialized support . Advances in prevention and early treatment of more straightforward cardiac issues , such as heart attacks , have shifted the focus of cardiologists toward managing complex cases . This includes , for example , caring for heart transplant recipients and patients with coexisting conditions such as sepsis , respiratory problems or brain bleeds .
BUMC is uniquely positioned to train fellows in these competencies . With multiple critical care and intensive care units — including the cardiothoracic ICU , medical ICU , neuro-ICU , surgical trauma ICU and others — fellows have exposure to many different aspects of managing complex patient care .
“ We ’ re developing core competencies that should be acquired by anyone who wants to practice as a critical care
“ cardiologist ,” Dr . Hall said . “ That ’ s why I am so excited about being awarded this chair . It allows us to be at the forefront of innovation in this field .”
“ We are proud to learn of Dr . Hall ’ s endowed chair position . A steadfast physician leader committed to advancing cardiovascular care , Dr . Hall ’ s history of successful program development and research has had a significant impact in patient care ,” says Nancy Vish , PhD , RN , president and chief nursing officer for Baylor Scott & White Heart and Vascular Hospital . “ Her impact is not only realized on the Dallas campus and throughout this region , but nationally as she passionately continues to focus on innovative treatment options for complex cases . Her dedication and passion for patient care , research and medical education is evident to all who have the opportunity to know her .” “ We ’ re developing core competencies that should be acquired by anyone who wants to practice as a critical care cardiologist … This chair allows us to be at the forefront of innovation in this field .”
Dr . Hall ’ s history of successful program development and research has had a significant impact in patient care .
— Nancy Vish
”
The Bradley family has a long , personal connection to Baylor Scott & White . Since the late Billye and Earl T . Bradley moved to Dallas in the 1960s , they and their extended family have chosen Baylor Scott & White for major medical needs . Their gratitude for the exceptional care they ’ ve received throughout the years inspired Billye to establish the Bradley Family Endowed Chair in 2011 .
Dr . Hall expressed gratitude for the Bradley family ’ s generosity and their support for advancing critical care cardiology and graduate medical education .
“ It ’ s amazing to think about the ongoing impact that the Bradley family ’ s gift will have on cardiac care in North Texas ,” Dr . Hall said . “ Every trainee who gets trained through a philanthropic gift like theirs is not only taking care of patients , they ’ re also helping to train the next generation — on and on . It ’ s not just that one fellow . It ’ s thousands of patients and other physicians who get to learn from that person .”
If you would like to learn more about supporting critical care cardiology at Baylor Scott & White , please contact Lynn Bohne at Lynn . Bohne @ BSWHealth . org or 214.820.4070 .
— Dr . Shelley Hall THE COMPASS / BAYLOR SCOTT & WHITE FOUNDATION NEWS / WINTER 2023 3