LaPar serves as AHA Torchbearer
The American Heart Association honored Damien LaPar, MD, MSc, associate professor in the Department of Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery, as a “Torchbearer” at the annual Heart Ball, February 15.
The role of torchbearer at the heart ball recognizes LaPar’s role in advancing life-changing medical innovation, which embodies the essence of the American Heart Association mission through his work at McGovern Medical School and the UT Physicians Pediatric Center Cardiology – Texas Medical Center.
In celebration of the American Heart Association’s 100th birthday, the organization created a unique framework to tell its story, inspired by the very organ at the center of health. They divided their work into “four chambers” of impact – equity, knowledge, discovery, and advocacy.
“These chambers represent the core of who we are and how we bring health and hope to people across the nation and right here in Houston and made possible by people like you, carrying the torch of our mission forward into our second century,” said Britta Schwab, vice president of development for the American Heart Association.
LaPar completed training in congenital heart surgery at Harvard Medical School and Boston Children’s Hospital. He is highly skilled in performing intricate single-stage repairs for the most severe neonatal and infant heart defects, and he is experienced in treating congenital heart conditions across all age groups, from children to adults.
LaPar is an internationally recognized basic and translational science investigator as well as a clinical science researcher, serving as the director of research and academic affairs for the Children’s Heart Institute. His funded congenital heart disease research lab focuses on the investigation of vascular smooth muscle signaling in congenital arteriopathy, as well as the development of innovative myocardial reconditioning and restorative therapies.