Charles L. Baird, Jr., M. D.
Director of Virginia Heart Institute
The Virginia Heart Institute which was established in 1972, with the financial assistance of Mr. and Mrs. George A. Breene of Emlenton, Pennsylvania, to diagnose and treat cardiovascular disease. It was established, at that time, that the frst symptom of heart disease was frequently sudden death or a myocardial infarction. I went to the Cleveland Clinic to visit with my former mentor, Dr. F. Mason Sones, Jr., the originator of selective coronary arteriography, and he supported the evolution of cardiac catheterization on an outpatient basis. However, he did express concern about the inappropriate use of outpatient catheterization, and thus, I restricted the Virginia Heart Institute services to only physician referral patients for the frst ffteen years. Subsequently, it became accepted both at the hospital level and was approved by the federal govemment in 1980, for freestanding facilities, and thus, complete reimbursement at that time was possible.

The major reason for the development of ambulatory facilities, however, is unrecognized, i.e. early aggressive intervention of those who are going to experience fatal or disabling myocardial infarctions. The Institute has been fortunate since its inception to have high quality, well trained nurses and technicians from nationally recognized facilities, and I take this time to honor our present staff by outlining their backgrounds.
Cirriculum Vitae -- PDF Format 11KB

David R. Salter, M. D.
Associate Director of Virginia Heart Institute
Dr. Salter’s basic research has focused on exploring the precise mechanisms whereby postischemic myocardial dysfunction is ameliorated by the acute administration of triiodothyronine. He has characterized acute changes in ventricular performance using small animal Langendorff isolated heart preparations and in large animals biventricular function and high energy phosphate metabolism (using HPLC). Peripheral vascular responses to catecholamines and the acute administration of triiodothyronine stimulated isolated rabbit vascular ring studies. This research has relevance to cardio-cerebral interactions during various phases of cerebral injury, including brain death.

Dr. Salter’s longstanding interest in education was greatly accelerated when he became a Harvard-Macy Scholar. His research in medical education interests lie in computer assisted learning and course development, and "mechanisms of learning and studying". He also has a profound interest in the national issue of the evolving relationships of Academic Medical Centers and their community colleagues as well as the broader issue of the survival and reshaping of Academic Medical Centers in general.
Cirriculum Vitae -- PDF Format 114KB

Jane B. Baird, R.D.C.S.
Jane Baird, R.D.C.S., a staff member of the Virginia Heart Institute since 1973, graduated from Denison University with a B.A. in Sociology. She attended Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing at Case Westem Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio. At the Virginia Heart Institute, Jane was instrumental in setting up both our echocardiography and nuclear labs. She has been a registered cardiac sonographer since 1976. She is Secretary of the Board of the Virginia Heart Institute, Board of Advisors, and Investigational Review Board.

William T. Adam, C.N.M.T., C.C.P.T.
William T. Adam is a certified nuclear medicine technologist (CNMT) and is also certified as a cardiopulmonary technologist (CCPT). Bill has been employed at the Virginia Heart Institute since 1988. Bill started his health career in the United States Army and has received extensive training in both non-invasive and invasive areas of cardiology. He is an active member of the Society of Nuclear Medicine and continues to participate in continuing education programs.