Endowed Chair: Pediatric Cardiovascular Health and Risk Prevention Program, led by Don Wilson, M.D.
Don Wilson, M.D., was awarded an Endowed Chair in 2014 to create the Cardiovascular Health and Risk Prevention program at Cook Children's Medical Center. Our clinical component, the Risk Evaluation to Achieve Cardiovascular Disease (CVD) Health, or REACH, clinic focuses on children at risk for premature cardiovascular disease, the leading cause of morbidity and premature mortality in the U.S. The children and families we serve include those with inherited lipid disorders, type 2 diabetes mellitus, metabolic syndrome, and special "at risk" populations (children with mental health/psychiatric disorders, HIV/AIDS, AYA cancer survivors, etc.). The clinic utilizes evidence-based, family-centered therapies and health education to provide valuable guidance and support for parents and extended family members, many of whom are themselves at risk of or affected by CVD.

Meet Dr. Wilson
Known for his unwavering dedication to children with metabolic diseases, Dr. Wilson works tirelessly to uncover treatments that will improve their overall health and wellness. He partners closely with patient families, ensuring they have the support and care needed for brighter, healthier futures.
Peer Reviewed Articles
- R Lokkesmoe, L Hamilton. The role of reverse cascade screening in children with familialhypercholesterolemia: A literature review and analysis. Current Atherosclerosis Reports, 2024.
- DP Wilson, L Hamilton, K Maki. Diabetes, obesity, metabolic syndrome, and cardiovascular diseaseoutcomes. Cardiovascular Outcomes Research, 2024.
- G Webster, M Scarcelli, B Sonnier, L Hamilton, DP Wilson . The role of parents in the care of childrenwith dyslipidemia. Endotext , 2024.
- S Roy, D Raff erty, A Trejo, L Hamilton , J Bohonowych, T Strong, L Ambartsumyan, S Cantu, AScheimann, J Duis. Feeding tube use and complications in Prader-Willi syndrome: Data from the globalPrader-Willi syndrome registry. American Journal of Medical Genetics, Part A, 2024.
- De La Torre A, Patni N, Wilson DP. Clinical Management of Dyslipidemia in Youth with Chronic KidneyDisease. In: Feingold KR, Anawalt B, Blackman MR, Boyce A, Chrousos G, Corpas E, de Herder WW,Dhatariya K, Dungan K, Hofl and J, Kalra S, Kaltsas G, Kapoor N, Koch C, Kopp P, Korbonits M, Kovacs CS,Kuohung W, Laferrère B, Levy M, McGee EA, McLachlan R, New M, Purnell J, Sahay R, Shah AS, Singer F,Sperling MA, Stratakis CA, Trence DL, Wilson DP, eds. Endotext. South Dartmouth (MA): MDText.com,Inc, 2024.
- Donovan GK, Wilson DP. Understanding Ethical Dilemmas in Pediatric Lipidology- Genetic Testing inYouth. In: Feingold KR, Anawalt B, Blackman MR, Boyce A, Chrousos G, Corpas E, de Herder WW,Dhatariya K, Dungan K, Hofl and J, Kalra S, Kaltsas G, Kapoor N, Koch C, Kopp P, Korbonits M, Kovacs CS,Kuohung W, Laferrère B, Levy M, McGee EA, McLachlan R, New M, Purnell J, Sahay R, Shah AS, Singer F,Sperling MA, Stratakis CA, Trence DL, Wilson DP, eds. Endotext. South Dartmouth (MA): MDText.com,Inc, 2024.
- Hamilton L, Wilson DP. Genetic Testing in Youth - A Primer for Pediatric Lipidologists. In: Feingold KR,Anawalt B, Blackman MR, Boyce A, Chrousos G, Corpas E, de Herder WW, Dhatariya K, Dungan K,Hofl and J, Kalra S, Kaltsas G, Kapoor N, Koch C, Kopp P, Korbonits M, Kovacs CS, Kuohung W, Laferrère B, Levy M, McGee EA, McLachlan R, New M, Purnell J, Sahay R, Shah AS, Singer F, Sperling MA, StratakisCA, Trence DL, Wilson DP, eds. Endotext. South Dartmouth (MA): MDText.com, Inc, 2024.
- Koschinsky ML, Bajaj A, Boff a MB, Dixon DL, Ferdinand KC, Gidding SS, Gill EA, Jacobson TA, Michos ED,Safarova MS, Soff er DE, Taub PR, Wilkinson MJ, Wilson DP, Ballantyne CM. A focused update to the2019 NLA scientifi c statement on use of lipoprotein(a) in clinical practice. J Clin Lipidol 2024;18(3):e308-19.DOI: 10.1016/j.jacl.2024.03.001.
- Shah AS, Wilson DP. Cardiovascular Risk Reduction in Youth with Diabetes- Opportunities andChallenges. In: Feingold KR, Anawalt B, Blackman MR, Boyce A, Chrousos G, Corpas E, de Herder WW,Dhatariya K, Dungan K, Hofl and J, Kalra S, Kaltsas G, Kapoor N, Koch C, Kopp P, Korbonits M, Kovacs CS,Kuohung W, Laferrère B, Levy M, McGee EA, McLachlan R, New M, Purnell J, Sahay R, Shah AS, Singer F,Sperling MA, Stratakis CA, Trence DL, Wilson DP, eds. Endotext. South Dartmouth (MA): MDText.com,Inc, 2024.
- Webster G, Scarcelli M, Sonnier B, Hamilton L, Wilson DP. The Role of Parents in the Care of Childrenwith Dyslipidemia. In: Feingold KR, Anawalt B, Blackman MR, Boyce A, Chrousos G, Corpas E, de HerderWW, Dhatariya K, Dungan K, Hofl and J, Kalra S, Kaltsas G, Kapoor N, Koch C, Kopp P, Korbonits M,Kovacs CS, Kuohung W, Laferrère B, Levy M, McGee EA, McLachlan R, New M, Purnell J, Sahay R, ShahAS, Singer F, Sperling MA, Stratakis CA, Trence DL, Wilson DP, eds. Endotext. South Dartmouth (MA):MDText.com, Inc, 2024.
- Rashad, M., Williams, L. & Wilson, D.P. Nutrition Interventions for Youth with Dyslipidemia: Who, What,When, and Where?. Curr Atheroscler Rep 26, 609-615 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11883-024-01236-0
- Wilson, D.P., Patel, M. Statin Use in Children and Adolescents - Dos, Don'ts and Practical Tips. CurrAtheroscler Rep 27, 16 (2024) https://doi.org/10.1007/s11883-024-01256-w
Posters/abstracts
- R Lokkesmoe, L Hamilton, DP Wilson. Maturity onset diabetes of the young and hyperlipidemia in a 12 year old.2024 National Lipid Association Scientifi c Sessions.
- A Snyder, L Hamilton, DP Wilson. Hypercholesterolemia induced by high fat, low carbohydrate diet in a 16 year oldmale. PESTOLA, 2024.
- S Nagaram, L Hamilton, DP Wilson. Compound heterozygous hypercholesterolemia detected by cascade screening.PESTOLA, 2024.
- Lorenzo D'Antiga, Don P. Wilson, Jennifer Evans, Florian Abel, Emilio Rob, William Balistreri. Sebalipase alphaimproves liver and lipid parameters in patients with lysosomal acid lipase defi ciency. Results from the InternationalLDL-D registry. ESPGHAN 2025: 57th Annual Meeting of the European Society for Paediatric Gastroenterology,Hepatology and Nutrition. May 14-17, 2025. Helsinki, Finland.
- William Balistreri; Lorenzo D'Antiga.; Jennifer Evans; Florian Abel; Emilio Ros; Don P. Wilson. Sebepliase alfaimproves lipid metabolism and liver outcomes in pediatric patients with lysosomal acid.7-10 May 2025.:Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
- Don Wilson; Jennifer Evans; Florian Abel; Emilio Ros. .Sebelipase alfa treatment results in sustained improvement oflipid parameters in pediatric and adult-onset LAL-D: Longitudinal data from the International Lysosomal Acid LipaseDefi ciency Registry. EAS 2025: 93rd Congress of the European Atherosclerosis Society and the BritishAtherosclerosis Society. 4-7 May 2025. Glasgow, UK
Oral Presentations
- L Hamilton, M Cousin, H Kaufmann, J Ziobro, E Berry-Kravis. Building a nano-rare network and managing institutional challenges. n-Lorem 2 Annual Nano-rare Patient Colloquium, 2024.
- L Hamilton. Precision medicine as a service. Cook Children's Pediatric Endocrine Conference, 2024.
- L Hamilton. Precision Medicine. Cook Children's Foundation Research Information Session, 2024.
- R Lokkesmoe, L Hamilton, J Steelman. PURA related disorder and low bone density with bisphosphonate use. 2024 Pediatric Endocrine Society Annual Meeting; 2024 Human Growth Foundation Pediatric Bone Symposium; oral presentation.
- L Hamilton, D Shahani. Patient focused introduction to research. Cook Children's Research Symposium. February 29, 2024, Fort Worth, TX.
- L Hamilton. Moderator, Pediatric Grand Rounds. S Roy, C Huang. Pediatric gastroenterology advanced endoscopy program at Cook Children's Health Care System: Then, now, and future. February 27, 2024,Fort Worth, TX.
- A Ray, K Orr, N Wojciechowska, H Trinkman, L Hamilton. Precisely! Precision medicine and pharmacogenomics at Cook Children's. Presented at Pediatric Grand Rounds, February 13, 2024, FortWorth TX.
- L Hamilton. A primer on artificial intelligence tools in research. Cook Children's Statistical Methods Lunch & Learn, January 2024, Fort Worth, TX.
- Don P Wilson, MD. Cholesterol in youth. Ask The Specialist on January 11, 2024 from 12:30 - 1:30pm via Zoom.
- Don P Wilson, MD. Lysosomal Acid Lipase Deficiency. SC Liver Consortium, sponsored by the University of Louisville. Miami, Florida. 4/27/2024
- Don P Wilson, MD. GLP-1 Receptor Agonists, Weight Loss & Cardiometabolic Health Review session April 23 7 pm (zoom invite to be sent). April 30th Live Webinar
- Don P Wilson, MD. 'Challenging case discussions: Dyslipidemia'. Pediatric Endocrine Society annual meeting. Chicago, Illinois. May 03, 2024 from 1:45 - 2:45 PM.
- Don P Wilson, MD. Evaluation and risk assessment of children with dyslipidemia. Cardiac Center prevention program monthly conference. Nemours Children's Health. 8/22/2024.
- Maya Rashad, RD. Managing hypertriglyceridemia in youth. National lipid Association annual scientific meeting. June, 2024. Las Vegas, Nevada.
- Don P Wilson, MD Overview of Lysosomal Acid Lipase Deficiency. Product theaters virtual program.8/14/2024. Anaheim, California.
- Don P Wilson, MD and Maya Rashad, RD. Lipid Panel, sponsored by the National Lipid Association. Virtual presentation. 10/29/2024 Cardiometabolic Health in Youth.
- Don P Wilson, MD. Cholesterol in youth. Ask The Specialist on January 11, 2024 from 12:30 - 1:30pmvia Zoom.
- Don P Wilson, MD. Lysosomal Acid Lipase Deficiency. SC Liver Consortium, sponsored by the University of Louisville. Miami, Florida. 4/27/2024
- Don P Wilson, MD. GLP-1 Receptor Agonists, Weight Loss & Cardiometabolic Health Review session April 23 7 pm (zoom invite to be sent). April 30th Live Webinar
- Don P Wilson, MD. 'Challenging case discussions: Dyslipidemia'. Pediatric Endocrine Society annual meeting. Chicago, Illinois. May 03, 2024 from 1:45 - 2:45 PM.
- Don P Wilson, MD. Evaluation and risk assessment of children with dyslipidemia. Cardiac Center prevention program monthly conference. Nemours Children's Health. 8/22/2024.
- Maya Rashad, RD. Managing hypertriglyceridemia in youth. National lipid Association annual scientific meeting. June, 2024. Las Vegas, Nevada.
- Don P Wilson, MD Overview of Lysosomal Acid Lipase Deficiency. Product theaters virtual program.8/14/2024. Anaheim, California.
- Don P Wilson, MD and Maya Rashad, RD. Lipid Panel, sponsored by the National Lipid Association.Virtual presentation. 10/29/2024 Cardiometabolic Health in Youth.
Meet our researchers

Luke Hamilton, Manager, Research Data, Science and Analytics
I was born in Irving, Texas where I attended high school and met my wife. We moved to Abilene, Texas to attend Hardin-Simmons University where I completed my bachelor's degree. I then attended the University of North Texas Health Science Center where I earned my master's degree. Prior to working at Cook Children's, I worked as a scientist in an immunogenomics laboratory where I developed TCR-mimic antibodies, and a pain management medical device company where I developed a three dimensional skin simulator used to visualize radiofrequency ablations. While at Cook Children's, I have worked as a clinical scientist for endocrinology and genetics, and have authored over 25 publications and written 2 textbook chapters. Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with my wife and two boys and staying active through running, weight training, and hiking.
Google Scholar: Luke Hamilton - Google Scholar
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