Houston, TX (April 19, 2018) – Emerson C. Perin, MD, PhD, has been appointed the new Medical Director of Texas Heart Institute by the Board of Trustees. Dr. Perin, a cardiologist known for his leadership in the development of stem cell therapies for cardiovascular diseases, joined THI in 1988 as a THI Cardiovascular Disease and Interventional Cardiology fellow. He currently serves as the Director of the Stem Cell Center and Clinical Research at THI.

Since completing his fellowship at THI, Dr. Perin has served as an interventional cardiologist in his private practice, continually ranked within the top 1% of all interventional cardiologists in the United States. In 1998 he founded the Stem Cell Center at THI. Under his leadership, the Center has been recognized as a worldwide leader in clinical research in stem cell therapy, leading multiple clinical trials focused on improving the treatment of heart failure, acute myocardial infarction (heart attack), refractory angina and peripheral arterial disease. As Medical Director, Dr. Perin will be responsible for oversight of THI’s professional staff of researchers, as well as providing counsel and guidance on all research and education initiatives to ensure continuity and alignment to the Institute’s vision.

“It is an honor to follow in the footsteps of so many of my mentors, like Dr. James T. Willerson, as the next Medical Director at Texas Heart Institute,” said Dr. Perin. “I have spent my entire practicing career supporting THI, learning from and practicing with pioneers in the cardiovascular discipline. I am excited to take on this new role and work with my peers to ensure the Texas Heart Institute spirit and drive for discovery continues.”

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About Texas Heart Institute

The Texas Heart Institute (THI), founded by world-renowned cardiovascular surgeon Dr. Denton A. Cooley in 1962, is a nonprofit organization dedicated to reducing the devastating toll of cardiovascular disease through innovative and progressive programs in research, education and improved patient care. More information about THI (@Texas_Heart) is available at www.texasheart.org.