Damien LaPar, MD, honored for his dedication to improving lives of children with congenital heart defects

Damien J. LaPar, MD, MSc, a leader in pediatric cardiac surgery at McGovern Medical School at UTHealth Houston, UT Physicians, and Children’s Memorial Hermann Hospital, is an inaugural honoree of the Children’s Heart Foundation for his commitment to excellence in academic pediatric and congenital heart surgery.

LaPar, associate professor of cardiovascular surgery at McGovern Medical School, associate chief of pediatric and congenital cardiac surgery at UTHealth Houston Children’s Heart Institute, and director of neonatal cardiac surgery at Children’s Memorial Hermann Hospital, received the honor during The Children’s Heart Foundation’s Houston Has Heart Gala on Friday, April 7, at Hotel ZaZa Museum District in Houston. He was among three honorees celebrated for working tirelessly to improve the lives of those with congenital heart defects.

“Dr. LaPar’s work and research are making an incredible impact on the lives of heart warriors in the Houston community,” said Megan Riddle, development manager of the southwest region for The Children’s Heart Foundation. “His work is the same heartbeat as the mission of The Children’s Heart Foundation, and we are thrilled he is a 2023 honoree.”

Jorge D. Salazar, MD, added, “Dr. LaPar is a transformational leader in advancing children’s heart care. We are extremely fortunate to have him, his lovely and very accomplished wife, Kelly, and beautiful two daughters here in Houston.” Salazar is executive director of UTHealth Houston Children’s Heart Institute, professor and chief of pediatric and cardiovascular surgery, and John P. and Kathrine G. McGovern Distinguished Chair at McGovern Medical School.

LaPar’s dedication is deeply rooted in his desire to advance the treatment of congenital heart disease and make a difference in the lives of children and their families, through compassionate patient care, innovative research and scholarship, and professional leadership. He sees patients at UTHealth Houston Children’s Heart Institute and the UT Physicians Maternal-Fetal Medicine Center – Texas Medical Center.

A triple board-certified pediatric cardiac surgeon with specialized certification by the American Board of Thoracic Surgery for the practice of pediatric and congenital cardiac surgery, LaPar has expertise in the surgical repair of the most complex neonatal and infant congenital heart defects with complete single-stage repairs, as well as in the full range of congenital heart disease that affects all children, adolescents, and adults.

He is internationally recognized as a basic and translational science investigator as well as a clinical science researcher, serving as principal investigator for the UTHealth Houston Congenital Heart Regenerative Therapies Laboratory. His funded congenital heart disease research lab focuses on the investigation of development of innovative myocardial reconditioning and restorative therapies.