NEWS
Dr. Denton A. Cooley Named 2007 Recipient of the TIAA-CREF Distinguished Medical Educator Award
—Award ceremony paid tribute to cardiovascular surgeon’s internationally recognized legacy in medical education—
From left, John Douglas with TIAA-CREF; Dr. Michael Speer with Texas Children's Hospital; Tadd Pullin with The Health Museum; and Nancy Heller (far right) with TIAA-CREF present Dr. Denton A. Cooley with the TIAA-CREF Distinguished Medical Educator Award for 2007. (Photo by Bruce Bennett)
HOUSTON (July 3, 2007) – TIAA-CREF, a national financial services group of companies and the leading provider of retirement services in the academic, medical, research, and cultural fields, announced that Denton A. Cooley, M.D., president and surgeon-in-chief of The Texas Heart Institute, was named the 2007 recipient of the TIAA-CREF Distinguished Medical Educator Award.
The award, founded by TIAA-CREF and supported by John P. McGovern Museum of Health and Medical Science (also known as The Health Museum), is given annually to honor teaching physicians, nurses and other health care professionals for their outstanding work, significant contributions and exceptional influence in the field of medical education. The award carries a $10,000 honorarium for the recipient, and 20 scholarships to The Health Museum’s mini medical camp donated in the recipient’s name.
"Dr. Cooley is a world-renowned surgeon who has pioneered many techniques used in cardiovascular surgery, benefiting people throughout the state of Texas, across the United States and around the world," said Dr. Michael Speer, chairman of the award steering committee and Health Museum board member. "His tireless dedication to understanding, diagnosing and treating cardiovascular disease defines him as a true distinguished medical educator."
Dr. Cooley has pioneered many techniques used in cardiovascular surgery. He performed the first successful human heart transplant in the United States in 1968. In 1969, he became the first heart surgeon to implant an artificial heart in man. Dr. Cooley and his associates have performed more than 100,000 open heart operations -- more than any other group in the world.
"It is an honor to present the TIAA-CREF Distinguished Medical Educator Award to Dr. Cooley – a physician who exemplifies dedication to excellence in health care, research and education," said Nancy Heller, Senior Managing Director and Head of Institutional Relationships, TIAA-CREF. "TIAA-CREF is pleased to continue our partnership with leaders of the Texas medical community to recognize one of its outstanding educators who has had a deep impact on health care."
Cooley graduated from the University of Texas in 1941 with highest honors and earned his medical degree from Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in 1944. After completing surgical training at Johns Hopkins in 1950, he spent a year with Lord Russell Brock in London where he participated in the first intracardiac operations in England. He served on the full-time faculty of Baylor College of Medicine for 18 years as a professor of surgery. In 1969, he resigned to assume his current positions.
His numerous honors and awards include the Medal of Freedom, the nation's highest civilian award, the Rene Leriche Prize, the highest honor of the International Surgical Society, and the National Medal of Technology. He is the author or co-author of more than 1,300 scientific articles and 12 books.
TIAA-CREF, along with The Health Museum and the award steering committee that drives and governs the annual selection of the award recipient, hosted a banquet at La Colombe d’Or Hotel on Thursday, June 28 to honor Dr. Cooley.
"The Health Museum is honored to participate with TIAA-CREF in recognizing an exceptional educator in our community," said Museum President and CEO Tadd M. Pullin, CHE. "With its strong commitment to medical education, TIAA-CREF plays a critical role in helping the Health Museum achieve its mission to inspire healthy lifestyles and the next generation of health science professionals."
The steering committee selected to govern the award and to evaluate nominations was composed of leading medical professionals from the Baylor College of Medicine, Texas A&M Health Sciences Center, The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas, Texas Children's Hospital, The University of Texas School of Nursing at Houston and The University of Texas Medical Branch School of Nursing.
About TIAA-CREF
TIAA-CREF is a national financial services organization with more than $412 billion in combined assets under management (3/31/06) and the leading provider of retirement services to individuals and institutions in the academic, research, medical, philanthropic and cultural fields. For more information, visit www.tiaa-cref.org
About The Health Museum
The Health Museum is a member institution of the world-renowned Texas Medical Center and is located in the heart of the Museum District at 1515 Hermann Drive, Houston, TX 77004. Summer hours of operation are: Monday to Saturday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. Visitors can enjoy free admission on FREE Family Thursday from 2 to 5 p.m. For more information about The Health Museum and its programs, please visit www.thehealthmuseum.org or call (713) 521-1515.
TIAA-CREF Individual & Institutional Services, LLC, and Teachers Personal Investors Services, Inc., distribute securities products.