Douglas Black, MD

Meet Douglas Black, MD

Bringing World-Class Heart & Vascular Innovation to East Texas

A proud Texas native, Dr. D. Scott Black is a fellowship-trained interventional cardiologist at CHRISTUS Trinity Clinic who has dedicated over 20 years to elevating the standard of cardiovascular care in the tri-state area. After honing his expertise at the world-renowned Texas Heart Institute, Dr. Black returned to his roots to ensure that residents of Mount Pleasant and surrounding communities have local access to life-saving cardiac interventions. His approach combines the analytical precision of a microbiologist with the steady hand of a veteran proceduralist, all delivered with a deep understanding of the unique health needs of the Northeast Texas community.

Career at a Glance

●     Texas Heart Institute Trained: Completed an elite fellowship at the institution that pioneered the world’s first heart transplants.

●     20+ Years of Excellence: Two decades of experience in high-volume interventional procedures, including complex coronary stenting and angioplasty.

●     Fellow of the American College of Cardiology (FACC): A peer-reviewed distinction signifying a lifelong commitment to the highest standards of cardiac medicine.

●     Tri-State Specialist: Maintains active licensure and provider status in Texas, Arkansas, and Oklahoma to serve the regional population effectively.

●     Microbiology Foundation: Holds a BS in Microbiology from Texas A&M, providing a unique scientific perspective on the cellular drivers of heart disease.

Clinical Role and Leadership

By bringing metropolitan-level interventional excellence to CHRISTUS Trinity Clinic, he ensures that geographic location is never a barrier to surviving a cardiac event. He provides specialized care for conditions such as:

●     Coronary Artery Disease (CAD)

●     Cardiac Arrhythmias (Bradycardia)

●     Congestive Heart Failure

●     Hypertension and Hyperlipidemia

●     Atherosclerosis and Vascular Endothelial Dysfunction

What You Can Expect from Care with Dr. Black

Dr. Black believes that effective cardiac care is an equal partnership between the physician and the patient. He rejects the "one-size-fits-all" model, instead focusing on systemic health—treating the patient as a whole rather than a collection of isolated symptoms. Because heart procedures can be anxiety-inducing, Dr. Black prioritizes clear communication and active listening to ensure you feel empowered and informed. You can expect:

●     A "Time is Muscle" Mentality: Rapid, decisive action in the Cath Lab to preserve heart function.

●     Evidence-Based Prevention: Utilization of tools like Calcium Scoring to stop heart attacks before they happen.

●     Comprehensive Support: Integration with cardiac rehabilitation to manage long-term recovery and lifestyle changes.

●     Systemic Care: A focus on how your other conditions (like diabetes or kidney health) impact your heart.

Advanced Surgical Innovation & Diagnostic Care

Dr. Black utilizes a state-of-the-science cath lab to perform minimally invasive procedures that were once only available in major cities. His technical expertise includes Percutaneous Coronary Interventions (PCI), and Intracoronary Stenting. He is an expert in Pacemaker Implantation and monitoring, Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillator (IDC), and Implantable Loop Recorders (ILR), utilizing the latest rate-response algorithms to manage heart rhythms locally. On the diagnostic front, he employs CT-based calcium scoring and both exercise and pharmacologic stress testing to provide a precise roadmap for patient health.

Research, Clinical Insight, and Thought Leadership

As a Fellow of the American College of Cardiology (FACC), Dr. Black stays at the vanguard of global medical breakthroughs, translating complex peer-reviewed research into practical bedside care. He contributes to regional healthcare quality by participating in national registries that track outcomes for stenting and angioplasty, ensuring that Northeast Texas clinics meet or exceed the safety and efficacy standards of the nation’s leading teaching hospitals.

Commitment to Public Health and Health Equity

Recognizing the high rates of heart disease in Northeast Texas, Dr. Black is a vocal advocate for regional health equity. He actively works to remove "access barriers" for rural and underserved populations by maintaining multiple practice locations and accepting a broad range of insurance. His focus on "tertiary prevention" ensures that even patients with advanced disease receive the support needed to prevent hospital readmission and improve their quality of life.