Cardiology
Care Informed by Experience
Welcome to the Division of Pediatric Cardiology at McGovern Medical School. Located in the heart of Houston’s Texas Medical Center — the largest medical center in the world — our division is dedicated to excellence in patient care, education, and research. Our work is grounded not only in scientific rigor and clinical expertise, but also in a deep understanding of what it means to live with heart disease.
That understanding is embodied in the leadership and lived experience of Division Chief Holly Bauser Heaton, MD, PhD, FSCAI, FACC.
A Personal Journey That Shapes Our Mission
Dr. Holly Bauser-Heaton’s commitment to compassionate, patient-centered cardiology is informed by her own unexpected journey with serious heart disease. In 2015, following a viral illness contracted through patient care, she developed a progressive and ultimately life-threatening cascade of cardiac conditions, including myocarditis, constrictive pericarditis, and restrictive cardiomyopathy. Like many patients, particularly women, her symptoms evolved gradually and did not initially present in “textbook” fashion.
In 2016, she experienced acute cardiac tamponade requiring emergency intervention and open-heart surgery. Her recovery involved years of heart failure management and intensive cardiac rehabilitation. Today, she lives with chronic heart failure but has regained meaningful functional capacity and continues to practice, teach, and lead with renewed perspective.
This experience fundamentally reshaped her approach to medicine, deepening her appreciation for patient vulnerability, the physical and emotional toll of illness, and the importance of listening carefully to symptoms that may be subtle, atypical, or easy to dismiss.
Excellence in Comprehensive Pediatric Cardiac Care
Our internationally recognized pediatric cardiologists provide comprehensive cardiac care for infants, children, adolescents, and adults with congenital heart disease. Drawing upon the extensive resources of UTHealth Houston, McGovern Medical School, Children’s Memorial Hermann Hospital, and the Memorial Hermann Health System, we offer advanced diagnostic and therapeutic services across the full spectrum of pediatric and congenital cardiology.
Clinical services include pediatric interventional cardiology, electrophysiology and ablation, fetal cardiology, neonatal cardiology, preventive cardiology, adult congenital heart disease, and the implantation and management of pacemakers, ICDs, and cardiac resynchronization devices. Our team performs and interprets a wide range of cardiac studies including echocardiography (trans thoracic, trans esophageal, contrast, and fetal), electrocardiography, stress testing, Holter and event monitoring, advanced cardiac imaging, and electrophysiologic testing across more than 20 hospitals in the Houston metropolitan area.
Neonates, children, and adolescents requiring surgical intervention are cared for in collaboration with the Division of Pediatric Cardiovascular Surgery at McGovern Medical School and Children’s Memorial Hermann Hospital.
Education, Research, and Advocacy Rooted in Empathy
Dr. Bauser-Heaton, third from left, prioritizes mentoring as a key component of medical education.
Our teaching programs are tailored to learners at every stage, from medical students to fellows and practicing physicians. We offer ACGME-accredited fellowship training in pediatric cardiology, advanced interventional cardiology training, and continuing education programs for pediatricians and family practitioners. Members of the division are actively engaged in clinical and basic research, advancing the field of pediatric and congenital cardiology while translating discovery into improved patient outcomes.
Dr. Bauser Heaton’s personal journey reinforces a core belief shared across our division: heart disease is not one size fits all, and care must be individualized, inclusive, and attentive particularly for populations whose symptoms are often underrecognized. Her story underscores the importance of early evaluation, thoughtful listening, and partnership with patients and families at every step.
Our Commitment
In the Division of Pediatric Cardiology, our work is driven by expertise, innovation, and compassion shaped by science and strengthened by lived experience. We are honored to care for children and families across Texas and beyond, and we welcome you to learn more about our team, our programs, and our mission.
Should you have any questions as you explore our site, please contact us.