The myriad accomplishments of Dr. O.H. "Bud" Frazier were in the spotlight once again when a packed house of more than 300 celebrated the renowned heart surgeon and researcher at a benefit dinner hosted by CHI St. Luke's Health.
The ballroom of the St. Regis was packed with admirers, former patients, fellow physicians and supporters of St. Luke's, all of whom had come to pay tribute to their friend and colleague on the 30th anniversary of his tenure at St. Luke's. In addition to performing more heart transplants (1,500) than anyone else in the world and implanting 1,000 left ventricular assist devices (LVADs), Frazier is the author of 800 scientific papers and six books.
Those achievements were spotlighted by Marianne Mallia, manager of scientific publications for the Texas Heart Institute; Mimi Swartz, who is writing a book about the total artificial heart; and Dr. Billy Cohn, director of minimally invasive surgical technology for the Texas Heart Institute and a professor at Baylor College of Medicine.
The event was chaired by Kathryn and Jeff Smith and Howard T. Tellepsen Jr., who serves as chair of the St. Luke's Foundation board. Honorary chairs were renowned figures in the cardiology arena Dr. Denton Cooley and Dr. Jim Willerson, the latter of whom recently hosted a Texas Heart Institute dinner at Tony's in Frazier's honor.
"Tonight was billed as 'A Pioneer's Journey,'" Tellepsen said in his presentation to Frazier. "Clearly, you have been the pioneer throughout your fantastic career. You're a scientist who is still serving, a compassionate leader, a family man and much more. You have changed the face of transplant medicine and devices development. And more important and as your patients know first hand, you have saved countless lives."
Admirers applauding Frazier included his wife of more than 50 years, Rachel Frazier, plus Windi and David Grimes, Dr. Ron DePinho, Linda and Jim McIngvale, Jana and Scotty Arnoldy, Judy and Rodney Margolis, Deborah Lee-Eddie, Regina Rogers, Margaret Alkek Williams and Jim Daniel, Patsy and Greg Fourticq, Gary Burbach and Vicki and Michael Williams.
Dr. Stephen L. Moore, from left, David Grimes, Dr. Bud Frazier and Dr. Jerome Granato.
