John Frank Harper, M.D.
John Frank Harper, M.D., is a distinguished cardiologist known for his compassionate patient care and passion for excellence. After earning a B.A. in English from SMU in 1968, he graduated from the University of Texas Southwestern Medical School in Dallas in 1972. He did internal medicine training and a cardiology fellowship at UT Southwestern, where he was chief resident. He has been engaged in clinical cardiology practice at Presbyterian Hospital of Dallas for 35 years and was chief of cardiology there for eight years. He is consistently included in lists of D magazine’s Best Doctors in Dallas, Texas Monthly’s Super Docs, Best Doctors in America and Top Doctors.
Dr. Harper has a strong commitment to education of physicians, as well as patient care. He is a member of the core faculty at Presbyterian Hospital of Dallas, teaching medical residents and students, and a clinical instructor at UT Southwestern. In 2011 he was named the Jennie Ewton Chair of Cardiology at Presbyterian Hospital of Dallas. He serves as chair of the Texas Health Resources 16-hospital Cardiovascular Council
Dr. Harper’s undergraduate major in English gave him a lifelong passion for literature. He founded and directs an annual Literature and Medicine Seminar, which uses literature to help physicians connect with their patients on a deeper level through healing words. Presented in cooperation with SMU’s Department of English and Presbyterian Hospital Foundation, the seminar draws practicing physicians, medical and pre-medical students and others. Dr. Harper also initiated the Doctors for Dedman program to reengage physicians who did their undergraduate work at SMU. In 2012 he received the Dedman College Distinguished Graduate Award.