Profession

Renowned heart surgeon dies at 99

NEWS IN BRIEF — Posted Aug. 4, 2008

Print  |   Email  |   Respond  |   Reprints  |   Like Facebook  |   Share Twitter  |   Tweet Linkedin

Pioneering heart surgeon Michael E. DeBakey, MD, died of natural causes on July 11 at The Methodist Hospital in his hometown of Houston, bringing to a close a 70-year career that revolutionized the practice of cardiovascular medicine.

The 99-year-old cardiovascular surgeon was renowned for a long list of medical innovations, including developing aortocoronary bypass surgery, the artificial heart, heart transplants and the ventricular assist device.

In April, just months before his death, Dr. DeBakey was honored for his contributions to medical science with the Congressional Gold Medal, the highest award a civilian can receive.

In 1959, the American Medical Association gave him the AMA's Distinguished Service Award following such accomplishments as the invention of the roller pump and the first patch-graft angioplasty.

Dr. DeBakey was a Baylor College of Medicine chancellor emeritus and senior attending surgeon at The Methodist Hospital.

He is survived by his wife, a daughter, two sons and two sisters.

Note: This item originally appeared at http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2008/08/04/prbf0804.htm.

Back to top


ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISE HERE


Featured
Read story

Confronting bias against obese patients

Medical educators are starting to raise awareness about how weight-related stigma can impair patient-physician communication and the treatment of obesity. Read story


Read story

Goodbye

American Medical News is ceasing publication after 55 years of serving physicians by keeping them informed of their rapidly changing profession. Read story


Read story

Policing medical practice employees after work

Doctors can try to regulate staff actions outside the office, but they must watch what they try to stamp out and how they do it. Read story


Read story

Diabetes prevention: Set on a course for lifestyle change

The YMCA's evidence-based program is helping prediabetic patients eat right, get active and lose weight. Read story


Read story

Medicaid's muddled preventive care picture

The health system reform law promises no-cost coverage of a lengthy list of screenings and other prevention services, but some beneficiaries still might miss out. Read story


Read story

How to get tax breaks for your medical practice

Federal, state and local governments offer doctors incentives because practices are recognized as economic engines. But physicians must know how and where to find them. Read story


Read story

Advance pay ACOs: A down payment on Medicare's future

Accountable care organizations that pay doctors up-front bring practice improvements, but it's unclear yet if program actuaries will see a return on investment. Read story


Read story

Physician liability: Your team, your legal risk

When health care team members drop the ball, it's often doctors who end up in court. How can physicians improve such care and avoid risks? Read story

  • Stay informed
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • RSS
  • LinkedIn