Lauren Gray Gilstrap, MD, MPH, was a renowned heart failure and transplant expert, a passionate teacher, and a compassionate clinician. She died on October 21, 2022, at the age of 38, leaving behind a legacy of excellence and a grieving family, friends, and colleagues. Her death was announced by the Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, where she worked as the Program Head for Advanced Heart Disease and Transplant Cardiology in the Heart and Vascular Center. But what was the cause of death Lauren Gilstrap? And why has it been shrouded in mystery and speculation?
A Rising Star in Cardiology
Lauren Gilstrap was born on June 6, 1984, in Atlanta, Georgia. She graduated from Emory University with a bachelor’s degree in biology and anthropology in 2006. She then pursued her medical degree and master’s degree in public health at Harvard Medical School, graduating in 2011. She completed her residency in internal medicine at Massachusetts General Hospital, followed by a fellowship in cardiovascular medicine at Brigham and Women’s Hospital. She also completed a research fellowship at the Richard A. and Susan F. Smith Center for Outcomes Research in Cardiology.
Gilstrap joined the Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center in 2018 as an assistant professor of medicine at the Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth. She quickly rose to the position of Program Head for Advanced Heart Disease and Transplant Cardiology in 2020. She was also the director of the Cardiac Amyloidosis Program and the co-director of the Cardio-Oncology Program. She was an active researcher, with over 50 publications in peer-reviewed journals, focusing on topics such as heart failure, cardiac transplantation, mechanical circulatory support, and health services research. She received several awards and honors for her work, including the American Heart Association Young Investigator Award, the American College of Cardiology Young Investigator Award, and the Brigham and Women’s Hospital Outstanding Teacher Award.
Gilstrap was also a dedicated educator and mentor, teaching medical students, residents, and fellows at Dartmouth-Hitchcock and Harvard Medical School. She was known for her enthusiasm, energy, and kindness, as well as her clinical acumen and leadership skills. She was described by her colleagues as a “triple threat” and a “force to behold”. She was also an advocate for diversity and inclusion in medicine, serving as a mentor for the LGBT community and women in cardiology.
A Tragic and Mysterious Loss
Gilstrap’s sudden and unexpected death shocked and saddened the medical community and beyond. The Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center issued a statement on Twitter, expressing their condolences and praising Gilstrap’s contributions. Many of her colleagues, friends, and former trainees also shared their memories and tributes on social media, highlighting her achievements and personality. She was remembered as a brilliant, compassionate, and inspiring physician, researcher, teacher, and leader, who touched the lives of many patients, students, and peers.
However, the cause of death Lauren Gilstrap has not been publicly disclosed by her family or the hospital. This has led to some rumors and speculations on the internet, suggesting that she died by suicide or due to complications from the coronavirus vaccine. Some of these claims are based on the fact that Gilstrap was a young and healthy woman, who had no apparent medical issues or personal problems. Some also point to the fact that she was a vocal supporter of vaccination and public health measures against the pandemic.
However, these rumors are not supported by any evidence or official confirmation. They are also disrespectful and insensitive to Gilstrap’s family, who are grieving their loss in private. The cause of death Lauren Gilstrap may remain a mystery, but her legacy and impact will not. She will be remembered as a remarkable and beloved member of the cardiology community, who made a difference in the world with her passion and talent. She is survived by her wife, Janet, and their two children, Katelyn and David, as well as her parents, brother, sister-in-law, and two nieces.
