The Pursuit of Excellence: Michael E. DeBakey as Mentor, Colleague, and Friend

This past April, renowned heart surgeon Michael E. DeBakey journeyed to the nation’s capitol, where he was awarded the Congressional Gold Medal by President George W, Bush. Inscribed on the medal is a quote of Dr. DeBakey’s that reads, "The pursuit of excellence has been my objective in life."

For more than three decades, Michael DeBakey has been mentor, colleague, and friend to fellow MDHVC surgeon Gerald Lawrie. In an interview with William L. Winters Jr., cardiologist and editor-in-chief of the Journal of the Methodist DeBakey Heart & Vascular Center, Dr. Lawrie shares his experiences pursuing excellence alongside one of medicine’s greatest pioneers.