Pioneering surgeon Dr. Denton Cooley performed his first human heart transplant in 1968 and astounded the world in 1969 when he was the first surgeon to successfully implant a totally artificial heart in a human being.
In his new memoir, “100,000 Hearts,” Cooley (BA, 1941) shares his life story and his transformation from a shy boy to one of the world’s most important surgeons. The photographs in the slideshow above appear in his memoir.
In “100,000 Hearts,” Cooley recounts his childhood in Houston and his experiences as a basketball scholarship recipient at The University of Texas of Austin. After medical school at the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston and at Johns Hopkins, Cooley served in the Army Medical Corps. While at Johns Hopkins, Cooley assisted in a groundbreaking operation to correct an infant’s congenital heart defect, which inspired him to specialize in heart surgery. Over the course of his career, Cooley and his associates have performed more than 100,000 open heart operations and have been forerunners in implementing new surgical procedures.
Of all his achievements, however, Cooley is most proud of the Texas Heart Institute, which he founded in 1962, in Houston, with a mission to use education, research and improved patient care to decrease the devastating effects of cardiovascular disease.
Cooley notes the importance of his time at the university in his memoir: “The four years that I spent at UT gave me the knowledge and skills I would need for both medical school and life. Because of what my alma mater gave me, I have always tried to support it in every possible way.”
It’s particularly fitting that this book has strong ties to the university. The memoir is published by the university’s Briscoe Center for American History and is distributed by the University of Texas Press. Don Carleton, the Briscoe Center’s executive director, worked closely with Dr. Cooley in shaping the contents of the memoir.
As Tom Brokaw said, “Dr. Cooley has always played at the top of his game, whether as a basketball star at the University of Texas or as a world-class heart surgeon. How he accomplished all that is a must read.”
Resources for People
In 1959 Dr.Cooley did one of his early atrial septum defect repairs on me.I had 3 small children, was given a very short time to live. He closed the half dollar size hole in the atrium, I recovered. Had another child. Went on to live a wonderful life as the wife of Dr. Lester Reed an outstanding, internationally known biochemist at UT Austin. Had a career of my own as well as traveling throughout the world and raising our children. I am an 87 year old survivor of a congenital heart defect which was unable to be diagnosed until the late 1950s. I am so thankful that Dr. Cooley operated me 63 years ago and gave me the chance for the life I lived and continue doing.
A thank you to Dr. Cooley for saving both of my little brothers! They were born with heart defects, and Dr. Cooley operated successfully on them both. They are 39 and 37 years old now, and doing great!
To the first commenter: Reed Kitchell, I found this: http://texasheart.org/AboutUs/ProfStaff/cardiova.cfm#cooley Wow, he sounds like an amazing man and a great asset to the medical profession!
He deserves every bit of praise. Not just a great surgeon but a great father! He managed to go to hospital 7 days a week and still play tennis horseback or water ski with his family. A loving supportive wife also helped keep the grueling schedule of work and family time together.
Years ago my neice's newborn son required heart surgery at Children's Medical Center, Dallas. I met the pediatric cardiac surgeon, and when we shook hands I was amazed how small his hands were. "Ideal for the work I do!" he commented. Months later a close friend was undergoing a third open-chest procedure at Dr. Cooley's Texas Heart Institute in Houston. Dr. Cooley was the only cardiac surgeon in the world willing to perform this high-risk, life-saving procedure. His family and I met Dr. Cooley when he came into the waiting room late in the evening to tell us the patient was stable but very critical. When we shook hands I was amazed how large his hands were and wondered how such hands were able to perform such delicate, intricate procedures! I spoke with him again quite early the next morning when he came out to give us another update from the ICU unit which we had not yet been in because the patient's chest was still "open". I commented, " Dr. Cooley, you must not have gotten very much sleep last night, you are here again so early this morning." I shall never forget his reply. "I often spend the night in my small apartment here in the hospital when I have a patient in especially critical condition." Right then and there we all realized the greatness of this humble giant of a man who so obviously cared deeply about the wellbeing of his patient and their loved ones. My friend survived and 20 years later is living a productive life thanks to the very large and remarkably skilled hands of Denton Cooley!
I don't know if you want to respond to my question, but I have a 36 year old son that has Hypertrophic Cardiomyopthy and I just want to know besides the local heart doctors where would you send a relative of yours to find out the latest thing available for someone his age. Should he get on a heart list, just keep taking blockers, not exercise, etc. thank you
Thank you Denton for turning my husband around. He roomed with you for a short time at UT and it made a great difference in his life. There are more ways than surgery to cure a heart, or create a new one. Linwood gave up his wild ways after knowing you and your "purpose driven life". Thank you and God Bless you. Peggy Johns Bland, 136 Westcourt Lane, San Antonio, Texas 78257
Houston is proud of having the leading Heart Center of the World. I am thankful to have a piece of it working out of Houston Northwest and its Ed Roberson Heart Center. Very exciting all around.
How could I get a signed copy of Dr. Cooley's book? My wife is a nurse and worked in the heart catheterization lab at St Lukes in the mid 70's. Her 62nd birthday is this May and I would like to get her an autographed copy of his book for her birthday. If anyone knows how I can get an autographed copy of his book please email me. Thank you!