Charles Edward Mullins, M.D.

Saving lives was the lifework of Dr. Charles E. Mullins. A pioneer and internationally recognized leader in diagnosing and treating congenital heart disease, his focus was the treatment and correction of pediatric and congenital heart defects in the cardiac catheterization laboratory—one that bears his name to this day. It was a dream he chose early in life—a life that came to an end with his passing on Sunday, November 17, 2024. Charles Mullins was born on January 15, 1932, and raised in Northwest Washington, D.C., where he attended public schools. Throughout his childhood, he talked of nothing else but becoming a doctor. He realized that dream in 1954, graduating cum laude in Chemistry from Princeton University and then George Washington University School of Medicine With Honors in 1958. Arlene Francis Sutherland and Chuck were married on June 19, 1954. Because he was so driven in his medical pursuits, it took their parents to bring them to each other’s attention. They soon became an inseparable team, amazing dancers and world travelers—as a result of his professional advancements. Upon leaving George Washington University, Dr. Mullins' next five years of formal medical training were spent in the U.S. Army at Walter Reed General Hospital in Washington, D.C., in an internship, pediatric and cardiology residencies, and a cardiology research fellowship. That resulted in his being the first and only Pediatric Cardiologist in the U.S. Army. His transfer to the Second General Hospital in Landstuhl, West Germany, made Dr. Mullins the only U.S. military Pediatric Cardiologist available to all U.S. and Canadian Armed Forces in Europe and the Middle East. Four years later, Dr. Mullins returned to Walter Reed Hospital, became a lieutenant colonel and Assistant Chief of Cardiology, and remained there for less than two years before he was drawn to the Houston medical community in 1969. Baylor College of Medicine's Pediatric Cardiology Department became his professional home until his retirement in 2006—after training over 150 fellows while contributing to the advancement of medicine and spending countless life-saving hours in what is now known as The Charles E. Mullins, MD Cardiac Catheterization Laboratories at Texas Children’s Hospital. As the principal investigator at Texas Children’s Hospital in six investigational protocols for new devices in the treatment of congenital heart defects, Dr. Mullins championed the continued development and teaching of these techniques at TCH and in more than 100 medical centers in twenty-three countries, performing hands-on teaching of diagnostic and therapeutic cardiac catheterization procedures. One of Dr. Mullins’ most significant contributions to cardiac catheterization can be found in cath labs around the world. The Mullins Sheath is a specialized medical device used in cardiac catheterization. It has broad applications in interventional cardiology, including facilitating device delivery, providing vascular access for various catheters, and supporting structural heart interventions like mitral valve repair. Commonly referred to as the Father of Modern Pediatric Interventional Cardiology, Dr. Mullins won numerous awards, including the Lifetime Achievement Award from PICS (Pediatric Interventional Cardiology Symposium), the Gifted Teacher Award from the American College of Cardiology, the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Society of Angiography and Intervention, and the Founder’s Award from the American Academy of Pediatrics. Much of the experience gained across Dr. Mullins’ more than 30 years of experience lives on in over 165 peer-reviewed articles, eight book chapters, and an Atlas—a "picture book”—of 167 diagrams of congenital heart lesions. Though Chuck was born in the DC, he lived a got-to-Texas-soon-as-he-could life. Forever in his boots, Chuck loved motorcycles, guns, beer, and Aggie Football. In retirement, Dr. Mullins was especially thrilled and proud of his four Grandchildren. Every chance they had, Arlene and Chuck would attend dance team events, T-ball, football, track, water polo, swim meets, percussion concerts, and Boy Scout activities. Chuck is survived by his wife of 70 years, Arlene, sons Charles Jr. and Bob (wife, Julie), daughter Sandie (husband, Charles Moger), four grandchildren, Kristine Riggs (husband, Adam), Kelley Fluty (husband, Adam), Kyle Meyers (wife, Amy), and Grant Meyers (wife, Lizzy), three step-grandchildren, John, Kate, and Stella Moger, and five great-grandchildren—with one on the way. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you consider donating to The Pediatric Cardiology Department at Texas Children’s Hospital or the U.S.O. A Memorial Service celebrating Chuck's life will be held Monday, December 2, 2024 at 11:00 AM at Grace Presbyterian Church, 10221 Ella Lee Lane, Houston, TX 77042. The Memorial Service Will Be Livestreamed at 11 AM on Monday December 2, 2024 at https://www.facebook.com/share/19vhrHXDev/

Charles Edward Mullins, M.D.

January 15, 1932 - November 17, 2024