The Society for Vascular Surgery extends its condolences to the family of Dr. Denton Cooley, one of our vascular surgery pioneers, who passed away Nov. 18, 2016 at the age of 96.
A long-time member of the Society and a lifelong resident of Houston, Texas, Dr. Cooley was an undisputed leader in the field of vascular surgery. In 1968 he performed the first successful heart transplant in the U.S. and a year later implanted the first artificial heart. He was founder and surgeon-in-chief of Texas Heart Institute. He developed many of the vascular procedures we still use today.
Leaders like Dr. Cooley are an inspiration to all who follow to be innovative, caring, fearless and tireless. Dr. Cooley was fond of saying, "I believe the harder one works, the luckier one becomes."
His family has posted photos, videos and more information at this website: