The Making of a Louisiana Legend

Who was the first person to close holes in the heart between the upper chambers of the heart in the cath lab? What exactly is interventional cardiology and why is it important? What future devices do our Heart Warriors have to look forward to?

Today’s episode is entitled “The Making of a Louisiana Legend” and our guest is Dr. Terry King.

Dr. Terry King completed his training in Pediatrics and Pediatric Cardiology at the University of Texas and Duke University. He started practicing in 1965, caring for children in the state of Louisiana.

In 1975, Dr. King and Dr. Noel Mills invented the “cardiac umbrella” to close holes in the heart without surgery and were the first to implant the device in humans. This technology forever changed how structural defects in the heart are repaired, both in children and adults. They were nominated for the Nobel Prize in Physiology in 1976.

Dr. King considers the greatest responsibility you can give another person is the care of your child and he has dedicated his life and work to educating others on this important journey. He has helped to build the capacity of scholars and researchers in the field, delivering lectures and establishing a pediatric symposium for health professionals.

He has helped to establish Neonatal and Pediatric Intensive Care Units in underserved areas of Louisiana to assist children with heart disease and their families who have no other means of receiving care.