More than 30 years ago, the Denton A. Cooley and Michael E. DeBakey surgical societies were founded by each man's former residents in homage to these surgical titans. What separated these societies was perhaps the world's most famous surgical rivalry. However, even this deep division did not withstand the test of time. In the fall of 2007, DeBakey attended the 15th Symposium of the Denton A. Cooley Cardiovascular Surgical Society; while there, he received an honorary membership in the Cooley Society. History was made as a legendary feud—more than 40 years in the making—came to a close. Shortly thereafter, Cooley received an honorary membership in the DeBakey Society during his attendance at the joint session of the 6th Current Trends in Aortic and Cardiothoracic Surgery and the 17th Congress of the Michael E. DeBakey International Surgical Society. Although DeBakey passed away shortly after this event, the spirit of reconciliation continued as the DeBakey and Cooley societies held a joint session in 2010.
Fig. Joseph S. Coselli, MD
The second joint session built on this monumental reconciliation. It combined the 19th Congress of the Michael E. DeBakey International Surgical Society with the 18th Symposium of the Denton A. Cooley Cardiovascular Surgical Society and was held in June 2012. Once again, the meeting took place at the Barton Creek Resort (Austin, Texas), which is particularly well suited for hosting open, enthusiastic meetings. Colleagues became reacquainted as world-renowned experts discussed the state of the art in all facets of thoracic and cardiovascular surgery.
In addition, we were fortunate to hold the premiere of Ken Mandell and Tony Herring's documentary film on the late Dr. DeBakey—and to be privy, thereafter, to a memorable discussion by those who built their careers alongside DeBakey. For these and many other truly notable moments, this meeting will no doubt have a lasting impact on all who attended. My sincerest hope is that the readers of the Texas Heart Institute Journal can get a sense of this intimate and outstanding academic conference. In closing, I would like to thank my esteemed colleague Dr. Robert Salem, for co-hosting this event as the current president of the DeBakey Society. And, on behalf of both the DeBakey and Cooley societies, as well as Baylor College of Medicine and the Texas Heart Institute, I would like to thank Alan P. Stolz, M.Ed., for the planning and execution of this highly successful educational conference.
Joseph S. Coselli, MD
Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Baylor College of Medicine; and Adult Cardiac Surgery, Texas Heart Institute at St. Luke's Episcopal Hospital; Houston