Lauren Gray Gilstrap, MD, MPH, was a rising star in the field of advanced heart disease and cardiac transplant. She was a program head at the Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, a prolific researcher, and a passionate educator. She died on October 21, 2022, at the age of 38. Her death was announced by her hospital on Twitter, but the cause of death remains unknown. In this article, we will pay tribute to her remarkable career and contributions to the field of cardiology.
A Force to Behold
Gilstrap was born in Atlanta, Georgia, and graduated from Emory University with a degree in biology. She then attended Harvard Medical School, where she completed her MD and MPH degrees. She was also a member of the Harvard Medical School LGBT Advisory Committee and advocated for diversity and inclusion in medicine.
She did her residency in internal medicine at Massachusetts General Hospital, where she impressed her mentors and colleagues with her energy, enthusiasm, and intelligence. She then pursued a fellowship in cardiovascular medicine at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, where she specialized in advanced heart failure and transplant cardiology. She also trained in health services research at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.
In 2018, she joined the Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center as an assistant professor of medicine and the program head for advanced heart disease and transplant cardiology in the Heart and Vascular Center. She was also an adjunct assistant professor at the Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth.
Gilstrap was a leader in clinical care, research, and education. She cared for patients with complex heart conditions, such as heart failure, cardiomyopathies, pulmonary hypertension, and mechanical circulatory support. She also performed heart transplants and managed post-transplant care.
She was an active researcher, with over 50 publications in peer-reviewed journals. She focused on topics such as health outcomes, quality of care, disparities, and decision-making in advanced heart disease and transplant. She received several grants and awards for her research, including the American Heart Association Career Development Award and the American College of Cardiology Young Investigator Award.
She was also a dedicated teacher and mentor, who inspired and trained medical students, residents, fellows, and junior faculty. She was involved in several educational initiatives, such as the Dartmouth-Hitchcock Leadership Preventive Medicine Residency Program, the Dartmouth-Hitchcock Cardiovascular Research Institute, and the Dartmouth SYNERGY Clinical and Translational Science Institute.
A Compassionate and Kind Person
Gilstrap was not only a brilliant cardiologist, but also a compassionate and kind person. She was known for her empathy, honesty, and advocacy for her patients, colleagues, and friends. She was also a loving wife and mother, who balanced her professional and personal life with grace and humor.
She is survived by her wife, Janet, and their two children, Katelyn and David. She is also survived by her parents, Stephen and Susan Gilstrap, her brother, Matthew Gilstrap, her sister-in-law, Jennifer Gilstrap, and her two nieces, Emma and Lily Gilstrap.
Her memorial service was held at The Church of Christ at Dartmouth College on October 30, 2022. Her family requested that donations in her memory be made to the Dartmouth-Hitchcock Heart and Vascular Center or the American Heart Association.
A Legacy to Remember
Gilstrap left behind a legacy of excellence, innovation, and generosity in the field of cardiology. She touched the lives of many people, from her patients and their families, to her colleagues and mentees, to her friends and loved ones. She was a role model and an inspiration for many aspiring and practicing cardiologists, especially women and LGBTQ+ individuals.
She will be remembered for her achievements and contributions, as well as her personality and spirit. She was a force to behold, a firecracker, a dynamo, and a triple threat. She was also a team player, a friend, and a human being. She will be deeply missed, but never forgotten.
