the torch Summer 2016, Issue 2 | Page 7

Renowned cardiologist receives prestigious lifetime achievement award

Dr . Bill Roberts
William C . “ Bill ” Roberts , M . D ., executive director of the Baylor Heart and Vascular Institute ( BHVI ), has been awarded the 2016 Lifetime Achievement Award by the American College of Cardiology ( ACC ) for his contributions to the cardiovascular profession .
The award , which is the highest recognition the College can bestow on a member , recognizes Dr . Roberts ’ lifetime of outstanding work in cardiovascular diseases . It highlights an individual who has had a career of outstanding achievements in his field and has served as a role model through service , basic or clinical research , and / or teaching .
“ I think it was Mark Twain who said , ‘ it ’ s better to deserve an award and not receive it than receive an award and not deserve it ,’” said Dr . Roberts . “ I am humbled and honored to receive this award from my peers and hope that I continue to be worthy of this recognition .”
A graduate of SMU and of Emory University School of Medicine , Dr . Roberts served as chief of pathology of the National Heart , Lung , and Blood Institute of the National Institutes of Health for more than 30 years before joining the faculty of Baylor University
Medical Center at Dallas . Michael Emmett , M . D ., chief of the department of internal medicine at Baylor Dallas , said Dr . Roberts has an impact on colleagues , residents and fellows at the institution , stating , “ When he examines a heart he not only describes what he sees but tells us a story about the patient ’ s life from that unique cardiac perspective – and it ’ s always amazing what we learn from him .”
Not only does Dr . Roberts teach the next generation of physicians , he also hopes to impact and educate his patients about the importance of a healthy lifestyle on their overall health . A unique aspect of his practice includes the showing of heart transplant patients and their families their diseased hearts following surgery .
“ They are often surprised by how much fat is on their heart and it sparks an important conversation not just with the patients , but often with their family members on the importance of a healthy lifestyle . The time to make changes is before you have problems – that ’ s when you can make the biggest impact ,” said Dr . Roberts . “ There are only about 2,200 heart transplants a year in the U . S . For those that have had the transplant , I hope it drives home the point that if you receive a heart , you are special and you need to change your lifestyle to take care of this gift .”
In addition to his role at Baylor Heart and Vascular Institute , Dr . Roberts serves as editor in chief of The American Journal of Cardiology and the Baylor University Medical Center Proceedings , and dean of the A . Webb Roberts Center for Continuing Medical Education . He has published more than 1,600 articles , mostly in peer-reviewed journals , and has served on the editorial boards of nearly three dozen cardiology publications .
“ It is a rarity to have the opportunity to work closely with such a stellar student of heart disease who is also an exemplary clinical research investigator and who is known to be the ‘ father of cardiovascular pathology ,’” said Kevin Wheelan , M . D ., chief of medical staff at Baylor Jack and Jane Hamilton Heart and Vascular Hospital . “ To work with him on a daily basis is an honor . Dr . Roberts ’ contributions to the cardiology world have been far-reaching .”
For more information on heart and vascular initiatives , contact Melissa Dalton at 214.820.2705 or Melissa . Dalton @ BSWHealth . org .
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