DB 2

Denton Cooley, M.D.

The time: 9:17. From atop the room an onlooker sees a myopic view of the ultimate collateral of trust any human being can offer, his own life. His life is in the hands of the surgeons now; after numerous consultations and release forms, consent was given. The view from the observation dome mimics that of a scientist’s vision through a microscope: multiple parts of a cohesive entity moving around with such grace and beauty, like a rehearsed ballet of sorts. Yet, in the world of cardiovascular surgery, nothing is ever “rehearsed,” for each case is different in its own regard. Some may be textbook cases, but others are as novel as a cure for AIDS. Upholding confidentiality and antisepsis, the patient is covered in a sterile sea of blue, with only the chest exposed. Even then, the chest is coated in a yellowish Providone-iodine solution. We, the onlookers, do not know what he looks like, who he is, or what kind of life he is living; all we know is what it says on the OR schedule: triple bypass surgery. (Sort of like this: http://youtube.com/watch?v=4Di49dziO60; with Dr. Cooley himself commenting)

The sternum is nonchalantly split in half using a bone saw; the rib cage retracted; the heart exposed. In comes a man, tall in stature, kind in his demeanor. The ballet pauses, then ceases. He walks over to patient’s side and immediately usurps the throne of leadership. The man moves with divine elegance. He quickly finishes, returns control to the residents, and leaves. The man is genius. The man is Dr. Denton Cooley, the world-renowned cardiovascular surgeon.

Upon hearing about the assignment, I immediately thought of Dr. Cooley. This man’s accomplishments through the years have revolutionized medicine and perhaps the world. Amazing. Utterly amazing. I had the opportunity to meet Dr. Cooley a few years back, when I was volunteering at St. Luke’s. Shaking the hand of the man who “performed the first successful heart transplant in the United States,” who “implanted the first totally artificial heart in a human,” (983) and who, most especially, performed bypass surgery on my grandfather in the 80’s giving him the chance to live for another 10 years, is astounding.

I had learned from my mother that he was a Houston native (the article points it out too, through the mention of the “Houston Public School System” [948]). His father was a dentist and he lived in the Heights during his childhood. Reading his biography, both in digital and print literacy, has made me realize that he was a “normal” child, did okay in school, did okay in college, but excelled in his field. He attended Johns Hopkins Medical School following his career at the University of Texas, with a mere “passing grade” (949) in Physics. How can that be possible today? This comes to show that not everyone who accomplishes grandiose goals is necessarily perfect or smart or extraordinary. Here is a person with a humble upbringing, yet he still managed to become the legend he is today. That gives hope to ordinary people like you, me, and thousands of other pre-med hopefuls, that we too may accomplish great things.

Ryan brings up a great point by mentioning Cooley’s “ultimate passion for philanthropy.” And it’s true. Each year, he along with several trustees at the Texas Heart Institute awards the “Denton Cooley Leadership Award” to outstanding individuals and role models of today’s society, like Rudy Giuliani and Tom Brokaw. By doing so, he highlights the importance of a leader and a role model in society. After all, we need people to look up to and emulate.

I aspire to follow the footsteps of Dr. Cooley and become a cardiovascular surgeon in the future. It’s not only because of his innovations in my field of interest, but also his charisma and passion for people.

One thing Dr. Cooley has taught me is to never lose sight of your goals and dreams in life. People around us may oftentimes discourage us or influence our thinking by telling us we cannot. But in truth, we can. The spirit knows no limit. And we are all spirits (connect to the Religion discussion).

“Reach high, for stars lie hidden in your soul. Dream deep, for every dream precedes the goal.”
~Vaull Starr

Dream, my friends. And reach for those stars.