The Man
This medal was struck to honor Dr. Michael E. DeBakey, M.D. for his many outstanding contributions as a heart surgeon to the Nation.

The Medal
The obverse design depicts Dr. DeBakey in full scrubs with a surgery team in the background. It includes the inscriptions “MICHAEL E. DEBAKEY, M.D.” and “ACT OF CONGRESS 2007.”

The reverse design 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.