It was at those crossroads that Attas helped establish the first national undergraduate program in medical humanities at Baylor in 1999. During this busy period in his life, Attas added a Master of Divinity from Episcopal Theological Seminary of the Southwest in 1999.
He retired as chief cardiologist at Hillcrest Baptist Medical Center in 2017. Attas moved back to Waco in 1983 when he joined a few of his med school classmates with Waco Cardiology Associates. As a cardiologist and clinical associate professor, he commuted from Cheyenne to Denver two days a week to teach, do research and perform procedures. Earning his MD from the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston in 1973, he did his training in internal medicine, cardiology and pediatric cardiology at the University of Kentucky.
Graduating from Baylor in 1969 with a degree in psychology, Attas began a journey that took him to Galveston, Lexington, KY, Cheyenne, WY, and Denver, CO, before returning to Waco in 1983. I probably would have gone to UT and gotten some kind of degree, but I would not have had near the fulfilling life that I have, had it not been for Baylor sports.” I don’t know what I would have done without athletics. Attas said, “It’s hard for me to put into words the gratitude that I feel for Baylor and the athletic program. In an interview with Baylor Bear Insider’s, Jerry Hill, Dr. Attas will be included on the wall, along with such names as Jack Lummus, Hayden Fry, Mark Hurd, Jay Allison, Clyde Hart, and Dutch Schroeder. Following his formal induction at the Baylor Athletic Hall of Fame and Wall of Honor Ceremony on Friday, October 29th, Dr. Michael Attas as the 2020 Baylor “B” Association Wall of Honor recipient. In addition, the person’s accomplishments will have brought positive public recognition, credit and honor to Baylor University and the Baylor Athletic Department.
Established in 2000 by the Board of Directors of the Baylor “B” Association, the Wall of Honor award recognizes Baylor letterwinners who have achieved prominence or honor because of meritorious accomplishments in public or private life following graduation.