Posted on 07/12/2008 5:11:33 AM PDT by Zakeet
Dr. Michael Ellis DeBakey, internationally acclaimed as the father of modern cardiovascular surgery and considered by many to be the greatest surgeon ever died Friday night at The Methodist Hospital in Houston. He was 99.
Methodist officials said DeBakey died of natural causes. They gave no additional details.
Medical statesman, chancellor emeritus of Baylor College of Medicine, and a surgeon at The Methodist Hospital since 1949, DeBakey trained thousands of surgeons over several generations, achieving legendary status decades before his death. During his career, he estimated he had performed more than 60,000 operations. His patients included the famous Russian President Boris Yeltsin and movie actress Marlene Dietrich among them and the uncelebrated.
"Dr. DeBakey singlehandedly raised the standard of medical care, teaching and research around the world," said Dr. George Noon, a cardiovascular surgeon and longtime partner of DeBakey's. "He was the greatest surgeon of the 20th century, and physicians everywhere are indebted to him for his contributions to medicine."
Debakey almost died in 2006, when he suffered an aortic aneurysm, a condition for which he pioneered the treatment. He is considered the oldest patient to have both undergone and survived surgery for it. He recovered well enough to go to Washington earlier this year to receive the Congressional Gold Medal, one of the nation's two highest civilian honors.
He remained vigorous and was a player in medicine well into his 90s, performing surgeries, traveling and publishing articles in scientific journals. His large hands were steady, his hearing sharp. His personal health regimen included taking the stairs at work and a single cup of coffee in the morning.
(Excerpt) Read more at chron.com ...
That's not snobbish. That's just delusional.
Is the issue that you don't know the difference between jazz and blues? For the latter, Memphis has a legitimate claim. For the former, no place in Tennessee comes close.
Scratch Dallas. Make that Houston. (I had a brain spasm and tried to put him on the main Baylor campus).
Thought this would be of interest to you.
Dr. Michael DeBakey, one of the greatest surgeons and medical pioneers has past. He has changed the medical field and left a mark on it felt to this very day. Michael DeBakey lived to 99, which is very long and productive life. It still does not diminish the sadness of his loss. Dr. DeBakey saved so many lives from the ordinary to the rich and famous. You will be missed. RIP Michel Ellis Dabaghi.
ping
Hey pal, I'm sure those places have fine medical centers, but are you telling me you've never heard of the Mayo Clinic which is located in Rochester, Minnesota? I hate to give Minnesota too much credit, but people from around the world have gone there. People like George Harrison and a slew of other world celebs. It might have the highest reputation among non-Americans. What can you infer from that?
Yes,I did mention the Mayo Clinic.
This is the essence of the man...he did his job well and with passion, caring and integrity and lived his life below the radar.
He lived a long life and lived it well enjoying the gifts God gave him and using his talents to help others.
Good productive people like DeBakey rarely get noticed or lauded by the MSM...
.instead, on a daily basis, we're mired in the muck of celebrity gossip and mayhem of the latest airhead.
You're not bursting my bubble because I already know that.But when it comes to the *medical universe*,the Northeast (particularly Boston,New Haven and New York ) is about as close as you'll come to finding a "center".
Attention K-Mart shoppers....I'm done with this thread.Have a nice life!!!
As far as Dr. Debakey is concerned his surgical techniques were employed by Dr. Michale Sweeney at Methodist Hospital in Houston last November. My husband was his patient and he has had a flawless recovery from a heart by pass and I bless Dr Sweeney and Dr DeBakey for it. Rest in peace Dr DeBakey.
I am from the Milwaukee area and we have some excellent hospitals in this city along with a top notch Medical and Dental school.
Another great man dies. At least, he lived a nice full life...RIP...
Your lack of knowledge is exceeded only by your provincialism.
Tell me everything you know about the medical "biz" here in the US.And then,I'll tell you everything *I* know.And then we'll strive to determine just who might be better qualified to comment on the medical "biz" with any credibility.
So,c'mon now....let's hear it! That is....unless you're just here to let us know that you're from Texas and *nothing*....absolutely *nothing*...in Massachusetts could possibly be better than it is in Texas
I have no doubt that that's true.IMO,it cannot be denied that in just about every large and medium sized city in this country there is at least one excellent hospital where one can get excellent care.I have not been trying to imply otherwise.But as I've said before (to others...not to you) if you're in India....or Indiana...and you have a rare,deadly disease you're much more likely to travel to Boston....or NY....or Baltimore....or San Francisco for treatment than to Houston...or Milwaukee...or Pocotello Idaho.
Well, if I needed major heart surgery, I'd go to Cleveland (ever hear of the Cleveland Clinic?)or Houston before I'd go to San Francisco or Boston. And if you have a really bad case of cancer, you'd be a fool not to put M.D. Anderson (ever hear of it?) on your list.
and *nothing*....absolutely *nothing*...in Massachusetts could possibly be better than it is in Texas
I'd grant you the lead in corruption, but I'd have to ignore the counties down in the valley and perhaps the TTC. I'd grant you unions, but I'd have to ignore Beaumont and Orange. I'd grant you liberal politicians, but you all don't have anyone who can measure down to Sheila Jackson Lee.
So, you are correct, I can't think of any category where Mass can best Texas.
Going back to the medical sphere, I'll spot you Hopkins, but if you haven't heard of the Mayo Clinic, or Cleveland Clinic, or the med center in Houston, you might want to stay off the med threads.
Discussion over.I won't debate with someone whose ears...and mind....have been sutured shut.
And PS....just for the record I can think of a number of ways in which Texas and other states are better than Massachusetts....so it looks as if in the "open-mindedness" category I've got you beat hands down.
Rest in peace oh great one, Dr. Michael DeBakey ...
Pingin' a few other folks here ...
I pray for all his loved ones God’s peace and blessing and guidance as they deal with his homegoing.
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