Dr. Michael DeBakey: 1908-2008'Greatest surgeon of the 20th century' dies
By TODD ACKERMAN and ERIC BERGER
Copyright 2008 Houston Chronicle
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. Dr. Marc Boom, executive vice president of Methodist, said DeBakey was taken to the hospital on Friday night after the surgeon's wife called 911. He was prounounced dead shortly after arriving.
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.
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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.
