PHYSICIAN PROFILE
P E T E R A . DY S E RT I I , M . D .
Peter A. Dysert II, M.D., is chief of pathology and director of the
pathology residency training program for Baylor University Medical
Center at Dallas. Dr. Dysert came to Baylor Dallas in 1979 for his
residency, and he also served as chief resident at Baylor Dallas. In addition to his other roles, Dr. Dysert is currently chair of the precision
medicine working group at Baylor Dallas and is founder, investor
and board member of Med Fusion, a start-up company focused on
precision medicine and clinical trials. He has previously served as a
member of the Baylor Health Care System Board of Trustees, president of the medical staff at Baylor Dallas and chief medical information officer of Baylor.
Peter A. Dysert II, M.D.
What brought you to Baylor?
Besides the fact that I was a Baylor baby, I wanted to
come back to Dallas to do my residency training in pathology. Baylor’s environment lined up with who I was
and how I saw medical practice. I admired the mission
statement and the Christian component, which is what
comes to mind when I think of Baylor.
What are you most excited about in pathology?
I am excited about the study of human genomes and
where it is going to lead us when it comes to early diagnosis and treatment of diseases. In five years, I would
love for Baylor to be known as one of the leading centers that collaborates with drug development companies
to come up with new approaches to more effectively
treat disease. For instance, lung cancer treatments have
been revolutionized for some patients. Thirty-five years
of research had only increased life expectancy by three
months, but because of research discoveries in the last two
years, some patients with specific genetic defects have ac-
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the torch | winter 2013
tually been cured with new drugs. Because of these advances, we will continue to redefine the way we do our
work, offering exciting promise for people with otherwise
fatal diseases.
What differentiates Baylor from other health
care organizations?
An overall sense of accountability to the communities
we serve.
Do you have a childhood experience that shaped
how you think?
Yes, I was injured playing football in high school.
My left shoulder and arm were paralyzed for about six
months and that made me decide to pursue a career in
medicine.
Describe your family.
Beyond wonderful. Linda and I have been married
for 34 years, and we have two fantastic children, both of
whom live in Dallas.