Lauren Gray Gilstrap, MD, MPH, was a renowned cardiologist and researcher who specialized in advanced heart disease and cardiac transplant. She was a professor at the Geisel School of Medicine and The Dartmouth Institute for Health Policy and Clinical Practice, as well as the head of the Advanced Heart Disease and Transplant Cardiology program at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center (DHMC) in Lebanon, NH. She died on October 21, 2022, at the age of 38, leaving behind her wife, Janet Milley, and their two children, Katelyn and David. She also had a large extended family, including her parents, brother, sister-in-law, and two nieces.
A Passionate and Compassionate Physician
Gilstrap was widely admired for her clinical excellence, academic achievements, and compassionate care for her patients. She graduated from the University of Texas at Austin in 2006 as a Truman Scholar and then attended Harvard Medical School. 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 DHMC in 2018 and became the leader of the cardiac transplant program in 2021. She was dedicated to improving the quality of care for individuals with heart failure and conducted several studies on health services and outcomes research. She was also a passionate teacher who inspired her students, fellows, and colleagues with her energy and enthusiasm.
According to Mark Creager, MD, the director of the Heart and Vascular Center at DHMC, Gilstrap was “truly a ‘triple threat’ – an amazingly effective clinician, outstanding scholar, and gifted educator who was an inspiration to her fellow clinicians, as well as her patients and their families” [according to tctmd.com].
A Person of Deep Faith and Joy
Gilstrap was not only a brilliant physician and researcher but also a person of deep faith and joy. She was an active member of the United Church of Christ in Lebanon, NH, where she served as a deacon and sang in the choir. She cherished her children above all else and enjoyed spending time with them outdoors. She was an avid skier and snowboarder and also loved paddleboarding, mountain climbing, and traveling.
She had a loud voice that filled any room with laughter and warmth. She was honest, authentic, and kind to everyone she met. She was also a proud member of the LGBT community and a role model for many.
According to Donna Polk, MD, MPH (AGME), who mentored Gilstrap as a program director at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Gilstrap had “a soft spot for patients” and “a sense of altruism” that was evident in everything she did [according to tctmd.com].
A Tragic Loss with No Explanation
Gilstrap’s death came as a shock to many who knew her and admired her. Her cause of death has not been publicly disclosed by her family or her hospital. This has led to speculation and rumors about what might have happened to her.
Some have suggested that she died by suicide or due to complications from the coronavirus vaccine. However, there is no evidence to support these claims. Without information from Gilstrap’s family or official sources, we cannot confirm or deny any of these theories.
What we do know is that Gilstrap’s death is a tragic loss for the medical community, her patients, her family, and her friends. She was a remarkable woman who touched many lives with her brilliance, compassion, and joy. She will be deeply missed by all who knew her.
We extend our heartfelt condolences to Gilstrap’s family and loved ones during this difficult time. We hope that they find peace and comfort in their memories of her. We also hope that one day we will learn more about what happened to her and why she left us so soon.