Michael E. DeBakey facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Michael DeBakey
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Dr. Michael Ellis DeBakey
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| Born | September 7, 1908 |
| Died | July 11, 2008 (aged 99) |
| Alma mater | Tulane University |
Michael Ellis DeBakey (born September 7, 1908 – died July 11, 2008) was a famous American heart surgeon. He was known as one of the most important doctors in his field and was a pioneer in heart surgery.
Michael DeBakey was born as Michel Dabaghi in Lake Charles, Louisiana. This was on September 7, 1908. His parents came from Lebanon and moved to America before he was born.
DeBakey showed interest in medicine from a young age. He studied at Tulane University. Throughout his life, he held many important jobs in the medical world.
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DeBakey's Impact on Medicine
Improving Wartime Healthcare
During World War II, DeBakey greatly improved how medicine was practiced during wartime. He believed doctors should be closer to the battlefields. This idea worked very well. Because of this change, many more injured soldiers survived.
This led to the creation of Mobile Army Surgical Hospitals. These were also known as MASH units. MASH units were famously used during the Korean War. They brought medical care quickly to soldiers in need.
Key Inventions in Surgery
Besides MASH units, DeBakey made many other important inventions for surgery. One of his most famous inventions was the roller pump. DeBakey created this pump when he was only 23 years old. He was still a student at Tulane University at the time.
The roller pump was a huge step forward. It made open-heart surgery possible. This pump helps blood flow through the body during an operation. This means doctors can work on the heart while it is still.
Working with Other Surgeons
DeBakey worked with another important heart surgeon, Denton Cooley. However, they had a disagreement. This was about the first time an artificial heart (a man-made heart) was put into a human. They did not get along for a long time after that. But in 2007, they finally became friends again.
Operating on World Leaders
DeBakey continued to practice medicine even when he was very old. This was quite rare for a surgeon. He operated on many important people. These included world leaders, like Russian President Boris Yeltsin.
His Own Health Challenge
In 2005, Dr. DeBakey faced a serious heart problem himself. He had actually created the surgery for this very problem. At first, he did not want to have the surgery. But his condition got worse. So, his medical team decided to perform the surgery anyway. After the operation, he got much better. DeBakey later said he was glad the surgery happened.
Later Life and Legacy
On July 11, 2008, Michael DeBakey passed away from natural causes. He was 99 years old. He left behind his second wife, a daughter, two sons, and two sisters. DeBakey's work changed heart surgery forever. He saved countless lives around the world.
Images for kids
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Tulane School of Medicine
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University of Strasbourg
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Colonel Michael DeBakey, Medical Corps, US Army, October 1945-February 1946
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c. 2002
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The Congressional Gold Medal awarded to DeBakey
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Michael DeBakey's statue in the American University of Science and Technology's campus in Beirut, Lebanon.
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DeBakey High School for Health Professions
See also
In Spanish: Michael E. DeBakey para niños
