Loren Gray Gilstrap, MD, MPH, was a renowned cardiologist and researcher who specialized in advanced heart disease and cardiac transplant. She was also a professor at the Geisel School of Medicine and The Dartmouth Institute for Health Policy and Clinical Practice. She passed away on October 21, 2022, at the age of 38. Her death was announced by her hospital in a Twitter post. The cause of her death is not known.
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A Remarkable Career in Medicine and Academia
Gilstrap was born on November 25, 1983, in Marshall, Texas. She was the valedictorian of her high school and a proud Texas Longhorn who earned her B.A. in Plan II Honors and B.B.A. Business Honors Program from the University of Texas at Austin in 2006. She was also a Truman Scholar who attended Harvard Medical School and graduated in 2010.
She completed her residency in internal medicine at Massachusetts General Hospital and fellowships in cardiovascular medicine at Brigham and Women’s Hospital. She also obtained a master’s degree from Harvard’s School of Public Health.
She joined the Heart and Vascular Center at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center (DHMC) in 2018 and became the Advanced Heart Disease and Transplant Cardiology program head in 2021. She was also a professor at the Geisel School of Medicine and The Dartmouth Institute for Health Policy and Clinical Practice.
She worked to improve the quality of clinical care for individuals with heart failure. She was involved in several research projects, such as the evaluation of beta-blocker therapy for patients with heart failure and dementia, the assessment of palliative care needs for patients with advanced heart disease, and the development of decision aids for patients considering mechanical circulatory support or transplant.
She was also an active member of several professional societies, such as the American Heart Association, the American College of Cardiology, the International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation, and the Heart Failure Society of America.
She published numerous articles in peer-reviewed journals, such as Circulation, JACC: Heart Failure, Journal of Cardiac Failure, Journal of Palliative Medicine, and Journal of General Internal Medicine. She also received several awards and honors for her work, such as the Young Investigator Award from the Heart Failure Society of America in 2019.
A Loving Family Member and a Passionate Adventurer
Gilstrap was married to Janet Milley, a nurse practitioner at DHMC. They had two children, Katelyn and David, whom she cherished above all else. She was also a devoted daughter to her parents, Sherry and Rodney Gilstrap, and a caring sister to her siblings, Ryan Gilstrap and Lindsey Gilstrap.
Gilstrap was a person of deep faith who attended Christ Redeemer Church in Hanover, New Hampshire. She was also an avid skier and snowboarder who enjoyed exploring the mountains with her family and friends. She loved paddleboarding, mountain climbing, traveling, and reading.
She was described by her colleagues, students, patients, and loved ones as a compassionate, generous, humble, intelligent, kind, optimistic, and inspiring person who touched many lives with her smile and spirit.
A Legacy That Lives On
Gilstrap’s death has left a void in the hearts of many who knew her personally or professionally. She will be remembered as a brilliant cardiologist and researcher who made significant contributions to the field of advanced heart disease and transplant. She will also be remembered as a loving family member and a passionate adventurer who lived life to the fullest.
Her legacy will live on through her family, friends, colleagues, students, patients, publications, research projects, and charitable causes that she supported. She will be greatly missed by all who had the privilege of knowing her.
According to The Dartmouth, a memorial service for Gilstrap will be held on Saturday, October 30th at 11:00 am at Christ Redeemer Church in Hanover. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Lauren Gilstrap Memorial Fund, which will support causes that were important to her.
