eCardioVascular Beat

Dr. Starr: Trusting him with our hearts

Kristy Wayson

Executive director, Providence Heart and Vascular Institute

The medical community marveled when Albert Starr, M.D., and an Oregon engineer named Lowell Edwards introduced the first successful artificial heart valve in 1960. “Yet the most touching testaments to Dr. Starr’s influence on cardiac medicine come from the patients themselves and their loved ones.” The invention forever changed cardiac surgery and gave Dr. Starr, who performed the first successful valve-replacement surgery on Sept. 21 of that year, countless accolades and international recognition.

Fifty years and more than 5,000 valve surgeries later, Dr. Starr, director emeritus of Providence Heart and Vascular Institute, remains a leading figure in cardiac care and a mentor to hundreds of other rising cardiac surgeons and cardiologists around the world.

Yet the most touching testaments to Dr. Starr’s influence on cardiac medicine – which goes far beyond heart-valve replacement – come from the patients themselves and their loved ones.

In August, Providence set up a Facebook page to pay tribute to Dr. Starr and the 50th anniversary of his landmark surgery. The responses have been astounding. To date, thousands of people have become fans, and hundreds have written personal thanks:

“Dr. Starr has saved my life twice in the last 12 years,” wrote one woman, who received two valve replacements. “He has given me the joy of meeting four grandkids, and getting to know my daughters in a totally new way. Thank you.”

A mother recalls the nights after her daughter’s valve surgery. “When we'd check on Olivia … we'd open the door and just listen to the loud, wonderful clicking that reassured us that all was well.”

“I remember the night before the surgery you came to talk to me,” wrote another former patient, who had mitral-valve replacement in 1991. “You told me you were as steady as a rock and that you have small hands to operate on babies … Thank you for a good life because of that valve.”

The parents of the babies Dr. Starr operated on also wrote in and sent pictures of their children today.

“Dr. Starr operated on our 2-year-old [son] 18 years ago,” wrote a Vancouver man, “and donated his fees at a time when we couldn't afford him. Today [my son] is an Eagle Scout, has a private pilot’s license and is going into his third year of college, studying physics. Thank you for making this all possible!”

In 2007, Dr. Starr received the Albert Lasker Clinical Medical
Research Award, often called “America’s Nobel” prize, for his contribution to medicine. His contribution to Providence is immeasurable. He helped create Providence Heart and Vascular Institute and continues to serve as director of bioscience research and development for Providence Health & Services in Oregon and as medical director of the Albert Starr Academic Center.

His passion has inspired other physician leaders to pursue new discoveries that drive advances to the next level of treatment. New research areas, such as Providence’s regenerative medicine and our award-winning patient-care response time within our STEMI program, exemplify Providence Heart and Vascular Institute’s spirit of clinical innovation.

To quote a grateful family member, Dr. Starr has made the world a better place … “one beat at a time.”