Share thisDeBakey Library & Museum opens at Baylor College of Medicine
Lori Williams
713-798-4710
loriw@bcm.edu
HOUSTON -- (May 14, 2010) -- The life of pioneering heart surgeon Dr. Michael E. DeBakey, presented in tandem with the history of cardiovascular surgery, is profiled in the Michael E. DeBakey Library and Museum.
Q & A with Dr. Butler
The library and museum opened today at Baylor College of Medicine. See a slideshow of the event.
It has been discussed since 1983, when DeBakey first told Dr. William T. Butler, who at the time was Baylor's president, that his wish was for his papers and memorabilia to be kept at the college.
Festivities
Ribbon-cutting ceremonies today followed the unveiling of a bronze statue of DeBakey in the courtyard of the DeBakey Center for Biomedical Education and Research. The sculptor was Edd Hayes. See video of the unveiling.
The museum chronicles DeBakey's life and the evolution of heart surgery from its early days. Exhibits include a reproduction of his Operating Room, a collection of photographs and awards presented to DeBakey, a replica of the sewing machine he used to design the first Dacron graft and hours of video of his surgeries, speeches, interviews and other appearances.
Q & A with Dr. Noon
Artifacts on display
Artifacts include surgical instruments and equipment he designed, original manuscripts, and his conference table, which was the college's first board of trustees table. DeBakey's desk, complete with hot plate burn marks when he ate at his desk, also is on display.
Hands-on involvement
DeBakey was closely involved in the design and planning of the museum, Butler said.
"Dr. DeBakey first came to me in 1983 and said he would like a place to display his papers and memorabilia. Over the next 10 years we talked about it from time to time. By the mid 1990s, he had agreed a good place to have the museum would be adjacent to our board room in the DeBakey building," said Butler, Baylor's interim president and chancellor emeritus. "About three weeks before he died, he reviewed with me the entire set of mockups and he really enjoyed seeing them. He approved of the final construction of the exhibits."
Good reflection of DeBakey's life
Dr. George Noon, who was a student, resident and surgeon colleague of DeBakey's, said his mentor wanted the museum to reflect in chronological order the events of his life, the surgical firsts, the history of Baylor and of the Texas Medical Center.
"I think it is a good representation of his life and the things that he accomplished during his life," Noon said.
Following DeBakey's death in 2008, the processing of his papers began with a certified archivist. All of his manuscripts will become part of the library and museum after their certification.
"What this museum adds is the understanding of an individual who was both innovative and contributory to the betterment of mankind at all levels," Butler said. "What he wanted was for people to be inspired to learn at a higher level, and he hoped by sharing what he had accomplished with others, that they may also be inspired."
Museum funding
The museum was funded privately, with more than $24.4 million coming from about 475 donors. The funds were used for the museum and for the expansion of the DeBakey Center, adding three floors of new classrooms, laboratories, conference space and the Education Resource Center.
Contributing $500,000 and above were The Cullen Trust for Higher Education, The DeBakey Medical Foundation, Fulbright & Jaworski L.L.P., The J.E. and L.E. Mabee Foundation Inc. and The Partnership for Baylor College of Medicine.
Bailey Architects designed the 4,735-square foot museum.
The museum is open to the public, free of charge, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except holidays. Parking is available in nearby Texas Medical Center parking garages. Information, including how to arrange tours, is available on the museum website.
Unveiling the statue of Dr. DeBakey
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