Pediatric Heart Surgeon and his wife lead year-round campaign to improve health in Houston
HOUSTON, June 5, 2025 — For more than 100 years, the American Heart Association has committed to advancing health and hope for everyone, everywhere. Through Houston’s Heart Ball campaign, Dr. Damien and Kelly LaPar, volunteer chairpersons, will lead community-wide efforts to help ensure more Houstonians have the opportunity for a full, healthy life. The Heart Ball celebrates hope and progress made through the dedication and passion of all who support the American Heart Association’s efforts to make an impact on the health of the community. These efforts include the relentless pursuit of scientific discovery, public policy change, equitable health for the under resourced and underrepresented, and education to equip the community to take control of their health.
“Dr. LaPar demonstrates outstanding leadership and dedication as Chief of Pediatric and Congenital Cardiac Surgery and Executive Co-Director of UTHealth Houston Children’s Heart Institute. Kelly LaPar is Senior Counsel for NRG Energy, Inc. serving the company's operation and generation needs. Their passion and commitment to the American Heart Association’s mission, deep understanding of community needs, and unwavering drive to make a difference positions them as the perfect choice to chair this event,” says Lacey Berlau, Associate Vice President of Development with the American Heart Association, Houston. “We welcome Dr. and Mrs. LaPar to the Houston Heart Ball, an initiative that centers around better health for every individual by focusing on critical issues and work to equitably improve and save lives.”
Damien J. LaPar, MD, MSc, is Professor and Chief of Pediatric and Congenital Cardiac Surgery and Executive Co-Director of UTHealth Houston Children’s Heart Institute. He also serves as the John P. and Kathrine G. McGovern Distinguished Chair in Cardiovascular Surgery at McGovern Medical School at UTHealth Houston. Dr. LaPar specializes in the surgical repair of the most complex neonatal and infant congenital heart defects, as well as the full range of congenital heart diseases that affect children, adolescents, and adults. He is committed to his patients’ needs, helping them overcome their most significant and challenging times in life to provide hope for them and their families.
Dr. LaPar trained in congenital heart surgery at Harvard Medical School and Boston Children’s Hospital. He’s a triple board-certified pediatric cardiac surgeon with specialized certification from the American Board of Thoracic Surgery for pediatric and congenital cardiac surgery. His dedication to academic pediatric and congenital heart surgery is deeply rooted in his desire to advance the treatment of congenital heart disease and to make a difference in the lives of children and their families through compassionate patient care, innovative research and scholarship, and professional leadership.
Dr. LaPar is an internationally recognized basic/translational science investigator and clinical science researcher, serving as the director of research and academic affairs for the UTHealth Houston Children’s Heart Institute. His funded congenital heart disease research lab focuses on innovative myocardial reconditioning and restorative therapies. His focused research includes extensive multi-institutional clinical research collaboratives and clinical trials.
Kelly LaPar is Senior Counsel for NRG Energy, Inc. serving the company's operation and generation needs. In her role as Senior Counsel, Mrs. LaPar brings extensive experience as a construction law practitioner in multiple jurisdictions. Since 2021, Mrs. LaPar has served as an Adjunct Law Professor at the University of Houston Law Center teaching future lawyers the practice of construction law. .
“We are honored to serve as the 2026 Houston Heart Ball Chairs,” said Dr. Damien and Mrs. LaPar. “Heart disease is not a unique or selective condition to any one population. It is ubiquitous. Impacting millions in every segment of our communities, both acquired and congenital heart disease must be recognized as a health care emergency. We are eager to work with our outstanding team of volunteers and the American Heart Association to drive change by removing barriers to health, investing in groundbreaking research, delivering impactful health education and advocating for healthy policies. It takes a village to make a lasting impact and we must do whatever it takes to create a better tomorrow for all people in Houston.”
The 2026 Houston Heart Ball will be held on Saturday, February 7, 2026 at The Hilton Americas Houston. The annual event is a night to celebrate the Association’s year-round efforts to break down barriers to health in Houston. Throughout the evening, the American Heart Association, the world’s leading nonprofit organization focused on heart and brain health, will honor volunteers and patrons, feature stories of survivors, and entertain guests with dinner, dancing and an exciting auction. For more information on how to support or attend the Houston Heart Ball, visit www.Heart.org/HoustonHeartBall or contact Lacey Berlau (Lacey.Berlau@heart.org).
###
About the American Heart Association
The American Heart Association is a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives. Dedicated to ensuring equitable health in all communities, the organization has been a leading source of health information for more than one hundred years. Supported by more than 35 million volunteers globally, we fund groundbreaking research, advocate for the public’s health, and provide critical resources to save and improve lives affected by cardiovascular disease and stroke. By driving breakthroughs and implementing proven solutions in science, policy, and care, we work tirelessly to advance health and transform lives every day. Connect with us on heart.org, Facebook, X or by calling 1-800-AHA-USA1.
For Media Inquiries: 832-296-4822
Dion Bart, Marketing Communications Director
Dion.Bart@heart.org
For Public Inquiries: 1-800-AHA-USA1 (242-8721)
heart.org and stroke.org
