W. Robin Howe, MD, a cardiac surgeon who performed the first open-heart surgery at Baptist Health Paducah in 1985, died last week at the age of 77, NBC affiliate WPSD reported Nov. 30.
Dr. Howe started heart programs at both Baptist Health Paducah and Mercy Health-Lourdes Hospital, both based in Paducah, Ky. He launched the region's first heart center in 2007 at Baptist Health Paducah. Both programs and the center continue to thrive today.
Dr. Howe retired from Baptist Health Paducah in 2010. He continued to work in medicine until his death, according to the report.