|
“Dr. Oswalt is confidently skilled, and you trust him with that confidence. He is very compassionate and keenly interested in me as a patient,” said Wendy. “He even chased my husband down in the parking lot to reassure him that I was doing well and getting better.” The prestigious award was designed to honor local cardiac care providers who show outstanding patient care and service. The AHA went directly to the source, asking patients to nominate their favorite heart doctor. MedCath affiliates dominated the nominations for the award. The finalists included Stephen J. Dewan, M.D., of Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgeons, and James P. Goolsby, Jr., M.D., and William A. Robinson, Jr., M.D., of Austin Heart. Since his arrival in Austin in 1980, Dr. Oswalt has performed many notable firsts. He performed the first heart transplant in Central Texas in 1986 and was the first in the world to perform the Ross Procedure for aortic endocarditis. While continuing to perform more Ross Procedures than any other surgeon in Texas, he also travels to lecture on the Ross as well as assist in and perform surgery in other states. Dr. Oswalt currently serves as director of cardiac surgery at Seton Medical Center, is a member of the Society of Thoracic Surgeons, Southern Thoracic Surgical Association, American Medical Association, Texas Medical Association and the Travis County Medical Society. He was a founding member of the Texas Transplantation Society and served as president of that society in 1997-98. Dr. Oswalt is president of Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgeons, a partner in the Heart Hospital of Austin. |
The American Heart Association, Capital Area Division, honored John D. Oswalt, M.D., as the 1999 Cardiac Care Provider of the Year at the third annual Heart Ball. One of Dr. Oswalt’s patients, Wendy Podwalny, delivered the presentation and described Dr. Oswalt as a skilled surgeon who demonstrated compassion and comfort when she needed it most.