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Denton A. Cooley
Graduate of Houston San Jacinto High School

A world-renowned surgeon, Denton A. 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 a man.

Cooley founded the Texas Heart Institute in 1962. He is chief of Cardiovascular Surgery at St. Luke’s Episcopal Hospital, consultant in Cardiovascular Surgery at Texas Children’s Hospital, and a clinical professor of Surgery at The University of Texas Medical School at Houston.

“The education that I received in public schools prepared me for the university and medical school, where I could compete well with other students. I am grateful for the opportunity and learning experience provided by the school system of Texas.”

—Denton A. Cooley, M.D.