Last Updated: 26 Feb, 2023 | Views: 198
Age: 96
Profession: Doctor
Other Profession(s): Surgeon
Famous For: The first successful human heart transplant in the United States.
Higher Education: University of Texas Medical Branch
About (Profile/Biography):
Dr. Denton A. Cooley was a renowned American heart surgeon who is best known for performing the first successful human heart transplant in the United States. He was born on August 22, 1920, in Houston, Texas, and died on November 18, 2016, at the age of 96.
Dr. Denton A. Cooley Early Life and Education
Denton Cooley was the son of a prominent Houston dentist, and he grew up with a strong interest in science and medicine. He attended the University of Texas at Austin for his undergraduate degree, and then went on to attend medical school at the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston.
Dr. Denton A. Cooley Career in Medicine
After completing his medical degree, Cooley went on to complete a surgical residency at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, Maryland, where he trained under the famous heart surgeon Dr. Alfred Blalock. In 1950, Cooley returned to Houston to start his own surgical practice and became a faculty member of the Baylor College of Medicine.
In 1962, Cooley founded the Texas Heart Institute, which would become one of the leading research institutions for heart disease in the world. He also pioneered many new surgical techniques, including the development of an artificial heart and the first successful implantation of a total artificial heart.
Dr. Denton A. Cooley First Heart Transplant in the United States
In 1968, Cooley and his team at the Texas Heart Institute performed the first successful human heart transplant in the United States. The patient was a 47-year-old man who had been diagnosed with heart disease, and the operation was a success, paving the way for many more heart transplants to come.
Dr. Denton A. Cooley Controversies and Criticisms
Cooley was not without controversy during his career. He was known for his high fees and the luxurious amenities at his hospital, which led some to criticize him for putting profit above patient care. Additionally, he was criticized for performing a heart transplant on a patient who was not a good candidate for the procedure, leading to the patient's death.
Dr. Denton A. Cooley Legacy and Honors
Despite the controversies, Denton Cooley is remembered as one of the most important figures in the history of heart surgery. He performed more than 60,000 heart surgeries during his career, and his innovations and techniques have saved countless lives. He was awarded numerous honors and awards, including the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian honor in the United States. The Texas Heart Institute continues to be a world leader in cardiovascular research and treatment, and Denton Cooley's legacy lives on through the work of his colleagues and successors.
