Charles Mullins

1934 - 2025

Dr. Charles Brown Mullins, beloved physician, devoted father, grandfather and great-grandfather, and one of Texas's most respected medical leaders, passed away peacefully on December 4, 2025 in Austin, Texas at age 91. Known for his integrity, gentle humor, and unwavering commitment to service, Dr. Mullins leaves behind a legacy defined as much by his love for family as by his influence on Texas medicine.
Born July 29, 1934 to Mary and Charles Mullins, in Rochester, Indiana, and raised in Poteet, Texas, Dr. Mullins carried the humility and work ethic of his small-town upbringing throughout his life. He was immensely proud of his family and considered them his greatest accomplishment. He is survived by his daughter, Holly Mullins Vinella and her husband, Greg Vinella and son, Dr. David Mullins and his wife Dr. Rhonda Mullins; four cherished grandchildren and their spouses: Nick Vinella and Dr. Shruthi Prabhakar, Stella Vinella Kasper and Eric Kasper, Dr. Charlie Mullins and Dr. Allison Mullins, and Mary Mullins Romanczuk and Chris Romanczuk, as well as two great-grand daughters Kate and Maddison Mullins. He is also survived by his sister-in-law and brother-in-law Harriet and Gary Smith and sister-in-law Iola Branscum. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 57 years, Stella Churchill Mullins, whose grace, compassion, and strength shaped many of the happiest years of his life.
Dr. Mullins earned his B.A. from the University of North Texas and his M.D. from UT Southwestern Medical School in 1958, serving as class president. After completing his internship at Denver General Hospital, he proudly served as a Flight Surgeon in the U.S. Air Force – an experience that reinforced his disciplined, patient-first approach to medicine. He was stationed in Hawaii from 1958 to 1962, which was an exciting and joyful chapter for the family marked by the birth of both of his children.
Returning to Dallas, he trained at Parkland Memorial Hospital and UT Southwestern, where he became a respected cardiologist, educator, and mentor. In 1967 Dr. Mullins was recruited by the NIH as a Special Research Fellow for the National Heart Institute in Bethesda, Maryland. Upon returning to UT Southwestern, he went on to direct clinical cardiology and the cardiac catheterization laboratory at Parkland and was known for his steady leadership and deep clinical expertise.
His influence spanned across many distinguished leadership roles, from Board of Directors and Chairman roles to serving on Texas Governor's Task Force for health care and cancer. Dr. Mullins demonstrated profound leadership as Chief Executive Officer of Parkland Hospital, where he helped secure a landmark bond supporting major hospital improvements. In 1981, Dr. Mullins became Executive Vice Chancellor for Health Affairs for the University of Texas System, guiding statewide medical education, research, and health-care initiatives for two decades. In 1996, he was named holder of the J. Fred Schoellkopf Jr. Chair in Cardiology at UT Southwestern which allowed him to travel to Dallas from Austin and continue his teaching, provide support for cardiology research activities, and further support the UT System's Medical Schools. In 2004, Dr. Mullins was honored as Ashbel Smith Professor Emeritus and in 2019, the Board of Regents of the University of Texas System appointed him Professor Emeritus of Internal Medicine.
Dr. Mullins was also an avid football fan and took great joy in cheering on the University of Texas football team. In recent years, he especially cherished the college football season and enjoyed watching the games alongside his beloved companion and fellow Longhorn fan, Nancy Payne.
Dr. Mullins lived a life grounded in service, compassion, and purpose. His family, friends, and the countless individuals shaped by his work mourn his passing and honor a legacy that will continue to inspire generations.
A memorial service will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, January 23rd at Weed-Corley-Fish Chapel. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Dr. Mullins' memory may be made to Canine Companions or to the People's Community Clinic in Austin. Donations can be made online at Canine.org/donate/ or AustinPCC.org/make-a-gift.