On Wednesday, April 23, 2008, Dr. Michael E. DeBakey received the Congressional Medal of Honor, the nation's highest civilian honor, in recognition of his dedication to excellence in education, research, and patient care and for his outreach efforts to local, national and global communities.

The obverse of the Gold Medal features Dr. DeBakey in full scrubs with a surgical table in the background with the inscriptions "Michael E. DeBakey, M.D." and "Act of Congress 2007".

The reverse features an anatomical heart placed prominently over a globe, representing Dr. DeBakey's teachings on cardiovascular procedures to surgeons around the world. The heart is encircled by a ribbon with the inscription "The Pursuit of Excellence has been my Objective in Life", a quote by Dr. DeBakey.

Dr. DeBakey has designated his library at Baylor College of Medicine as the permanent home for his Congressional Medal of Honor.

As President, Chancellor, and Chancellor Emeritus, Dr. DeBakey has been an extraordinary leader at Baylor College of Medicine.

The HAM-TMC Library congratulates Dr. DeBakey on this most distinguished occasion.

The following links provide more information about the grand event:
http://www.bcm.edu/news/features/item.cfm?newsID=1111
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/metropolitan/5724100.html
http://www.wic.org/bio/debakey.htm

High resolution images of the medal are available at:
http://www.usmint.gov/downloads/pressroom/DebakeyMedalO.jpg
http://www.usmint.gov/downloads/pressroom/DebakeyMedalR.jpg