Lauren Gray Gilstrap, MD, MPH, was a cardiologist, researcher, professor, and program head at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center. She was an expert in advanced heart disease and cardiac transplant, and a passionate teacher and mentor. She died on October 21, 2022, at the age of 38. Her death was announced by her hospital on Twitter. The cause of her death has not been officially confirmed, but some sources suggest that it was related to liver disease. She is survived by her wife, Janet Milley, and her children, Katelyn and David.
A Life of Excellence and Service
Lauren Gray Gilstrap was born on February 7, 1984, in Dallas, Texas. She graduated from the University of Texas at Austin in 2006 as a Truman Scholar, and then attended Harvard Medical School, where she graduated with honors in 2010. She completed her residency in internal medicine at Massachusetts General Hospital, and her fellowships in cardiovascular medicine and advanced heart failure and transplant cardiology at Brigham and Women’s Hospital. She also obtained a master’s degree in public health from Harvard School of Public Health.
She joined the heart and vascular center at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center in 2018, and became the head of the Advanced Heart Disease and Transplant Cardiology program in 2021. She was also a professor at the Geisel School of Medicine and The Dartmouth Institute for Health Policy and Clinical Practice. She was involved in several research projects and publications, focusing on improving the quality and outcomes of care for patients with heart failure. She received numerous awards and recognitions for her academic and clinical achievements, such as the American Heart Association Young Investigator Award, the American College of Cardiology Young Investigator Award, and the Brigham and Women’s Hospital Fellow of the Year Award.
A Legacy of Compassion and Inspiration
Lauren Gray Gilstrap was not only a brilliant cardiologist, but also a compassionate human being. She was known for her kindness, honesty, and advocacy for her patients, colleagues, students, and the LGBT community. She was a person of deep faith, and cherished her family above all else. She enjoyed skiing, snowboarding, paddleboarding, mountain climbing, and traveling. She had a loud and cheerful voice, and a bright and energetic personality. She was a source of joy and inspiration for many people who knew her.
Her death has left a huge void in the hearts of many, and a lasting impact on the field of cardiology. She was a pioneer, a leader, and a legend. She was Lauren Gray Gilstrap.
