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.”
Dr. Hall’s history of successful program development and research has
had a significant impact in patient care.—Nancy Vish
“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.”
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.
“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. Shelley Hall
“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.
