The Department of Biomedical Engineering at Texas A&M University presented its 2021 Outstanding Alumni Award to Dr. Winston Marshall ’88, an interventional cardiologist with Baylor Scott and White in Dallas.
After graduating from Texas A&M, Marshall attended medical school at UT Southwestern and then transitioned to Baylor University Medical Center, where he did an internship and residency in internal medicine before pursuing a fellowship in cardiovascular disease.
“He's considered by the other physicians, as well as his patients, to be one of the top caregivers,” said Dr. Mike McShane, department head. “They appreciate his commitment to helping them overcome their difficulties, starting by listening to what their issues actually are. And then, just like a good engineer, he works with them to creatively solve their problems. He continues to use his engineering degree in problem-solving all the time.”
Marshall started his speech with a proverb about a farmer who experienced several negative events in his life. While each resulted in additional hardships initially, benefits eventually revealed themselves at every turn.
“The moral of that story is you really never know what's going to happen from your misgivings and never know what's going to happen with your future,” Marshall said. “Just keep plowing and keep going.”
Marshall attended Texas A&M in pursuit of a degree in petroleum engineering. However, low oil prices made him nervous about the job market and he began to consider switching majors. He said an interest in medicine drew him to biomedical engineering, and he was welcomed by the department and its head, Dr. William Hyman.
“My biomedical engineering degree has meant so much to me,” Marshall said. “My life is rich every day because of what I've been through and get to do in medicine. It’s just amazing. This morning I put a pacemaker in a 93-year-old World War II vet who had complete heart block. I could get paid a quarter of what I get paid and still be happy.”
Marshall also works to support young entrepreneurs. He runs a fund with his brother to support young startup companies.
“Thank you all for this award, and y’all, this is just the beginning,” Marshall said as he accepted the award. “I plan to do a lot of big things with the Department of Biomedical Engineering.”
The department’s Outstanding Alumni Award is given annually to former biomedical engineering students who have gone on to do great things and have an interest in impacting the department. The award is based on peer nomination.