Dr. Nancy Ayres Named Recipient of the 2024 Physician Lifetime Achievement Award

HOUSTON (August 8, 2024) - Dr. Nancy Ayres was recently named the recipient of the 2024 Physician Lifetime Achievement Award from the American Society of Echocardiography (ASE). The award acknowledges her outstanding and innovative contributions to the field of fetal echocardiography and fetal heart disease. 

Dr. Ayres, a pediatric cardiologist who has served Texas Children’s Hospital since 1988, specializes in fetal, transthoracic, and transesophageal echocardiography. She is recognized as an organizational leader and industry pioneer in her field.

“Dr. Nancy Ayres is beyond deserving of this honor, and our entire organization applauds her contributions to her patients, their families, and the discipline of cardiology,” said Dr. Jeffrey Kim, Chief of Cardiology at Texas Children’s. “We as a team are privileged to work alongside her each and every day.”

Dr. Ayres was the first Texas Children’s pediatric cardiologist to actively participate in fetal interventions. As a member of the Texas Children’s Fetal Intervention Team, she developed a subsection of fetal cardiology to provide comprehensive cardiac care to fetal patients with congenital cardiac defects.

In 1994, she established a fourth-year advanced imaging fellowship training program to provide imaging expertise to categorical cardiology fellows. She served as the director of both the Non-Invasive Cardiac Imaging Laboratory and the Fetal Cardiac Imaging and Fetal Cardiology Program. Her fetal cardiac intervention program, which was started in 2012, remains active and has set the standard for advanced prenatal cardiac care and interventions in fetuses with all types of congenital disease. 

Texas Children’s Fetal Cardiology Program — which is part of Texas Children’s Heart Center —has provided comprehensive fetal cardiac care to expecting families when there is a concern for risk of heart disease in the fetus. Our expert care includes diagnosis, counseling, delivery planning and monitoring, and seamless transition to Texas Children’s Heart Center after birth.

Dr. Ayres’ outstanding work has contributed to Texas Children’s Heart Center’s ranking as the number one pediatric heart center in the country for seven years in a row by U.S. News and World Report. For more than 60 years, the Heart Center’s multidisciplinary team has combined cutting-edge technology with a compassionate and family-centered approach to care.

Understanding the importance of contributing to industry knowledge, Dr. Ayres has authored and co-authored more than 100 peer-reviewed publications, textbook chapters, and editorials, as well as national and international lectures.

In addition to research and patient care, the 36-year Texas Children’s veteran has gone beyond practice to teach her skills to more than 200 fellows, as well as residents and colleagues.

“The ability to not only practice, but also teach, lead and mentor is what sets Dr. Ayres apart,” said Dr. Daniel Penny, Executive Co-Director of Texas Children’s Heart Center. “Her willingness to pass on her knowledge and spirit to those who follow in her footsteps will be her greatest legacy.”

Dr. Ayres was recognized and celebrated during the 35th Annual ASE Scientific Sessions in Portland Oregon, June 14-16.

About Texas Children’s Hospital

Texas Children’s, a nonprofit health care organization, is committed to creating a healthier future for children and women throughout the global community by leading in patient care, education and research. Consistently ranked as the best children’s hospital in Texas and among the top in the nation, Texas Children’s has garnered widespread recognition for its expertise and breakthroughs in pediatric and women’s health. The system includes the Texas Children’s Duncan NRI; the Feigin Tower for pediatric research; Texas Children’s Pavilion for Women, a comprehensive obstetrics/gynecology facility focusing on high-risk births; Texas Children’s Hospital West Campus, a community hospital in suburban West Houston; Texas Children’s Hospital The Woodlands, the first hospital devoted to children’s care for communities north of Houston and Texas Children’s Hospital North Austin, the new state-of-the-art facility providing world-class pediatric and maternal care to Austin families. The organization also created Texas Children’s Health Plan, the nation’s first HMO focused on children; Texas Children’s Pediatrics, the largest pediatric primary care network in the country; Texas Children’s Urgent Care clinics that specialize in after-hours care tailored specifically for children; and a global health program that is channeling care to children and women all over the world. Texas Children’s Hospital is affiliated with Baylor College of Medicine. For more information, visit www.texaschildrens.org.