Drs. Robert A. Guyton and Michael E. DeBakey Honored

Michael E. DeBakey (left) shakes hands with Denton A. Cooley as he accepts a lifetime achievement award and honorary membership from the Denton A. Cooley Cardiovascular Surgical Society, October 27, 2007. Left to right in the photo Bernard Barrett, MD; Michael E. DeBakey, MD; society president James J. Livesay, MD; Bud Frazier, MD and Denton A. Cooley, MD. VIEW VIDEO

(Houston, November 1, 2007) Members and guests of the Denton A. Cooley Cardiovascular Surgical Society gathered at Texas Heart Institute on Friday and Saturday, October 26–27, 2007 for the society’s 15th International Symposium. Robert A. Guyton, MD, received the 2007 International Recognition Award. Guyton, who gave the keynote address, is Chief of Cardiovascular Surgery at Emory University School of Medicine; Distinguished Charles Ross Hatcher Jr Professor of Surgery; and Program Director for the Thoracic Surgery Residency program at the medical school. He also serves as Chief of Cardiothoracic Surgery at Crawford W. Long Hospital of Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia.

On Saturday amid great enthusiasm throughout the auditorium, Dr. Cooley recognized Dr. Michael E. DeBakey for his lifetime achievements in surgery and presented him with honorary membership in the society. Symposium guests joined members of the faculties of Baylor College of Medicine and Texas Heart Institute in a standing ovation for the 99-year-old surgeon-statesman.

Dr. John L. Ochsner of New Orleans, a former international recognition honoree of the society, joined Dr. Cooley and some 150 surgeons for the two day event. Among the crowd were 14 former presidents of the society.

Working to assemble a stellar program, Society president, Dr. James Livesay, recruited several notable speakers including internationally renowned healthcare economist, Dr. John C. Goodman, as well as a host of prominent cardiothoracic surgeons from throughout the US. Topics included healthcare economics, current strategies for adult patients with congenital heart disease, innovative procedures and technology for those with thoracic aneurysms, and improvements for patients suffering from advanced heart failure. Livesay delivered the presidential address, “Patient-Centered Healthcare”, on Saturday morning. Joining him were his wife, Robin; daughter, Jenny Webster, and parents, Dr. and Mrs. W. R. Livesay.

Dr. A. Thomas Pezzella, Director for the World Heart Foundation, presented a luncheon address on October 26th, highlighting recent efforts to bring and/or support cardiovascular surgery programs in third world countries. Dr. Vladimir Velebit of Geneva, Switzerland addressed the assembly on October 27th, describing his team’s mentoring of an emerging cardiovascular surgery program in Tbilisi, Georgia. He completed a similar international cooperative project in Sarajevo (1997–2002) and in Skopje, Macedonia (2000–2004).

The Cooley Society was chartered on March 13, 1972 by active CV surgery residents, fellows and staff at Texas Heart Institute as a tribute to their mentor for his contributions to cardiovascular surgery and to physician education throughout the world. Membership now exceeds 850 surgeons representing 49 countries and 44 states in the US. Symposia are held every two years for the stated purposes of scientific exchange and fellowship. During a black tie gala on Friday evening, members continued the celebration of Dr. and Mrs. Cooley’s legacy, announcing an endowed scholarship at Texas Heart Institute. Among those joining the festivities were Jim Willerson, Beth and Robert Guyton, Susan and Chuck King, Mary Lou and John Ochsner, Martha and Grady Hallman, Susan and George Reul, Pam and David Ott, Kelly and Joe Coselli, and Rachel and president-elect, Bud Frazier.

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The Texas Heart Institute, founded by world-renowned cardiovascular surgeon Dr. Denton A. Cooley in 1962, is a nonprofit organization dedicated to reducing the devastating toll of cardiovascular disease through innovative and progressive programs in research, education and improved patient care. Together with its clinical partner, St. Luke’s Episcopal Hospital, it has been ranked among the top ten cardiovascular centers in the United States by U.S. News & World Report’s annual guide to “America’s Best Hospitals” for the past 17 years. The Texas Heart Institute is also affiliated with the University of Texas (UT) System, which promotes collaboration in cardiovascular research and education among UT and THI faculty at the Texas Heart Institute and other UT components. For more information about the Institute, please visit www.texasheart.org.

See also on other websites:

The New York Times: The Feud
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/27/health/27docs.html?_r=2&ref=science&oref=slogin&oref=slogin