Brave Hearts: Pioneering Cardiologists Join Forces

Texas Heart Institute’s first-ever clinical cardiology practice promises to further Denton Cooley’s legacy.

Dr. Denton Cooley

At the, ahem, heart of Houston’s world-renowned Medical Center is a commitment to research, education and patient care, as exhibited by surgeons like Michael DeBakey and Denton Cooley. The latter — the surgeon responsible for implanting the world’s first artificial heart — founded the Texas Heart Institute in 1962, and today, THI announces that Cooley’s legacy of historic breakthroughs and innovative research and education programs will be furthered through the Texas Heart Medical Group.


The new clinical practice, helmed by a dozen of the city’s best cardiologists with specialties that range from electrophysiology to cardiac imaging, begins seeing patients today at its office in the St. Luke’s Medical Tower. Collectively, the doctors speak nine languages fluently, a multicultural makeup that speaks to the Med Center’s glowing global reputation.

The founding physicians are “eager to blaze a new trail and practice top-tier cardiovascular medicine,” says THI Medical Director Emerson Perin. “In the spirit of the Cooley legacy, we are joining together as a body of clinicians, surgeons and scientists with a unified ethos to take Dr. Cooley’s core mission far into the 21st Century.”

AT TOP: Dr. Denton Cooley

Business+Innovation

Actor Alan Brincks gets his makeup done for 'A Midsummer Night's Dream.'

BEGINNING AUG. 1 THROUGH Aug. 10, the Houston Shakespeare Festival, the professional arm of the University of Houston’s School of Theater and Dance, takes the stage at Miller Outdoor Theatre for its 50th iteration. The milestone event includes productions of Romeo & Juliet and A Midsummer Night's Dream, plus "Bard talks," all at no cost to viewers.

Keep Reading Show less
Art + Entertainment

Dandelion Cafe owners Sarah Lieberman and J.C. Ricks with Mireya Villarreal of GMA, Chris Shepherd and Lindsey Brown of Southern Smoke Foundation (photo by Shane Dante Photography)

THE SOUTHERN SMOKE Foundation, established by chef Chris Shepherd, has only been around for seven years — but that's long enough to have helped hospitality workers through hurricanes, freezes, a pandemic, and countless other personal situations requiring emergency relief.

Keep Reading Show less
Food