Over the course of his decades as a surgeon and researcher, it is hard to argue that any single individual made contributions to the progress of medicine in the twentieth century than Dr. Michael DeBakey, who passed away last night at the age of 99.

Dr. Michael Ellis DeBakey, internationally acclaimed as the father of modern cardiovascular surgery — and considered by many to be the greatest surgeon ever — died Friday night at The Methodist Hospital in Houston. He was 99.

Methodist officials said DeBakey died of natural causes. They gave no additional details.

Medical statesman, chancellor emeritus of Baylor College of Medicine, and a surgeon at The Methodist Hospital since 1949, DeBakey trained thousands of surgeons over several generations, achieving legendary status decades before his death. During his career, he estimated he had performed more than 60,000 operations. His patients included the famous — Russian President Boris Yeltsin and movie actress Marlene Dietrich among them — and the uncelebrated.

"Dr. DeBakey singlehandedly raised the standard of medical care, teaching and research around the world," said Dr. George Noon, a cardiovascular surgeon and longtime partner of DeBakey's. "He was the greatest surgeon of the 20th century, and physicians everywhere are indebted to him for his contributions to medicine."

Living here in the Houston area, one cannot help but be struck by the fact that this man was not merely respected by this community, but truly loved as one of the most important individuals in this community. His work went a long way towards putting Houston on the map as a center of medical excellence, and the people of Houston never forgot that. And may I add that it is no accident that HISD's magnificent magnet school for young people interested in entering the health professions is called the Michael E. DeBakey High School for Health Professions.

Dr. DeBakey's death will leave a void in our community -- and a standard of excellence towards which future generations of medical professionals in this community will strive.