Texas Heart Medical Group Welcomes Renowned Cardiovascular Surgeons

HOUSTON (June 30, 2022) — The Texas Heart Medical Group, the clinical practice of the Texas Heart Institute, announced today that Drs. James Livesay, Charles Hallman, and Jennifer Cozart from Surgical Associates of Texas, P.A. have joined the practice.

Livesay, Hallman, and Cozart join the Texas Heart Medical Group from the renowned Surgical Associates of Texas, P.A. Patients of these physicians will continue their care at their present location, 1101 Bates Avenue, Houston, TX 77030.

“Our surgeons are experienced members of the surgical team founded by Dr. Denton A. Cooley at the world-renowned Texas Heart Institute in Houston’s Texas Medical Center,” said Eduardo Hernandez, MD, President of the Texas Heart Medical Group. “Over the years, this team performed more than 115,000 open-heart surgeries, a record unmatched by most surgical teams around the world. The expertise, results, and reputation of these surgeons have touched the hearts of patients and their families for decades and will continue to do so through our medical group.”

Livesay received his medical degree from Baylor College of Medicine. He completed his general surgery residency and research fellowship in cardiac physiology at UCLA. After completing a thoracic and cardiovascular surgery residency at the Texas Heart Institute under the mentorship of Dr. Denton Cooley, Livesay joined Cooley’s surgical group in 1981 at St. Luke’s Episcopal Hospital, now Baylor St. Luke’s Medical Center. Livesay also serves as clinical professor of surgery at Baylor College of Medicine and mentors cardiac surgery residents on complex coronary artery revascularization, techniques for mitral valve repair, and treatment of aortic aneurysm.

Hallman completed medical school at Baylor College of Medicine and is a graduate of the internationally recognized cardiovascular surgery program founded by Dr. Denton A. Cooley. A member of the Texas Heart Institute professional staff since 1992, he performs cardiac, aortic, vascular, and thoracic surgeries on patients seeking treatment from all over the world. Hallman also serves as a clinical professor of surgery at Baylor College of Medicine and is the faculty director of the Cardiovascular Surgery Fellowship Program at Texas Heart Institute and Baylor St. Luke’s Hospital.

Cozart earned her medical degree and completed a general surgery residency at The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston. She then completed a cardiothoracic surgery residency at the Texas Heart Institute and Baylor College of Medicine. In 2011, she joined Surgical Associates of Texas and became a member of the Texas Heart Institute professional staff. Cozart is trained in progressive cardiothoracic surgical treatments and has a focus on surgical treatment of arrhythmias. She developed and implemented a Hybrid Atrial Fibrillation Program at the Texas Heart Institute in collaboration with her cardiac electrophysiology colleagues. Cozart also serves as clinical assistant professor of surgery at Baylor College of Medicine.

“Dr. Cooley made it his life’s work to conquer the challenges of cardiovascular disease through research, education, and clinical care, and these attributes remained the foundation and character of the Surgical Associates of Texas, P.A., practice,” said Livesay.

The Texas Heart Medical Group specializes in caring for patients with high-risk conditions, many in advanced stages of heart or vascular disease who need a unique level of surgical care that demands advanced skills and significant experience to successfully treat some of the most challenging cardiovascular conditions.

“Drs. Livesay, Hallman, and Cozart bring remarkable surgical expertise and innovation to the Texas Heart Medical Group,” said Joseph G. Rogers, MD, President and CEO of the Texas Heart Institute and a heart failure specialist at the Texas Heart Medical Group. “Their commitment to excellence and quality aligns perfectly with our practice and brings a critical dimension to the care we provide.”

The surgeons of the Texas Heart Medical Group will continue to see patients in the Texas Heart Institute Outpatient clinic located in the Baylor St. Luke’s Medical Center in Houston at 1101 Bates Ave., Suite P115 Houston, Texas 77030, (832) 355-4900.

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ABOUT TEXAS HEART MEDICAL GROUP

Texas Heart Medical Group is a multicultural clinical practice specializing in comprehensive cardiovascular care with a mission to promote wellness and longevity while providing the highest-quality medical care in a sophisticated and welcoming patient-oriented atmosphere. Texas Heart Medical Group physicians are internationally known for their expertise in the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of cardiovascular diseases who practice patient-centered care utilizing state-of-the-art approaches, including non-invasive and invasive procedures.  http://www.texasheartmedical.org/

ABOUT TEXAS HEART INSTITUTE

Texas Heart Institute, founded by world-renowned cardiovascular surgeon Dr. Denton A. Cooley in 1962, is a nonprofit organization dedicated to reducing the devastating toll of cardiovascular disease through innovative and progressive programs in research, education, and improved patient care. Participating in research programs in cardiology, cardiovascular surgery, stem cell and gene therapy, and regenerative medicine, the institute scientists and physicians spearhead some of the most innovative research in the medical field. Texas Heart Institute continues to uncover underlying causes of heart disease and the ways to better treat and even prevent it through the translational, basic and clinical research programs. With initiatives ranging from postdoctoral and continued medical education to public outreach and scientific publications, Texas Heart Institute is dedicated to spreading awareness and sharing updates on ways to prevent, treat, and defeat cardiovascular disease. As global leaders in cardiac patient care, Texas Heart Institute has been ranked among the top cardiovascular centers in the United States by U.S. News & World Report for 31 years. www.texasheart.org