Dr. Michael E. DeBakey, the man most responsible for the creation of what eventually became the MASH unit, passed away on Friday, July 11th at the age of 99. According to a list of his accomplishments found at the Methodist DeBakey Heart & Vascular Center website:
“DeBakey volunteered for military service during World War II, and was subsequently named director of the Surgical Consultants’ Division of the U.S. Surgeon General’s office. His work in that office led to the development of mobile army surgical hospital (MASH units). He later helped establish the specialized medical and surgical center system for treating military personnel returning from war, subsequently the Veterans’ Administration Medical Center System.”
Additionally, this timeline states that, in 1945, DeBakey was “awarded Legion of Merit for developing MASH units.” According to his obituary, Dr. DeBakey performed over 60,000 heart surgeries during his career, which lasted more than 70 years and he is called “the greatest surgeon of the 20th century.”
Thanks to Eric for notifying me of Dr. DeBakey’s passing and his role in the creation of the MASH unit.
Although the television series M*A*S*H was and is fictional, the novel it was based on was written by H. Richard Hornberger, who served at a MASH unit during the Korean Conflict. Dr. DeBakey’s role in the development of the MASH unit saved countless lives during the Korean Conflict and beyond, and his subsequent career helped save even more. In the words of Dr. Peter G. Traber, “As Baylor College of Medicine’s first President, he set a standard for preeminence and never let anyone here forget the importance of leadership in academic medicine. We have lost a man who was a great physician, educator, leader and above all, a great friend.”
