Dr. Michael DeBakey Worked Past 90
Dr. Michael DeBakey was one of the leading cardiac surgeons of the 20th Century, pioneering many procedures throughout the course of his 75-year career. He retired from hands on surgery at age 90, by which time he had performed over 60,000 procedures, then continued to teach medical school and supervise his research until his death at age 99. At age 98 he became the oldest patient to recover from a surgery that he himself had pioneered, when he suffered an aortic tear. After an 8-month hospitalization, still mentally sharp, he returned to work.
Once, when asked about his ability to handle the pace of surgery at his advanced age, he credited his wife, who he said could not cook but made great salads, so that is what they ate for their daily main meal. He also expressed the feeling of what today is called “flow” when he was doing surgery, saying “I’m at greater ease in an operating room…. Our [team’s] attention is so focused and intense we don’t think of it as being stressed.”
In an interview given when he was in his early 80’s, Dr. DeBakey described his typical daily schedule. He awoke at 4:30 or 5:00 am and spent two hours in his home study, reading or writing. He would arrive at the hospital between 6:30 and 7:00, check on his patients, then scrub for surgery at 7:30. He would be done with surgery at about 3:30, then answer phone calls, complete correspondence, and see patients, attend committee meetings, or supervise his laboratory. He would arrive home between 8 and 9pm, eat dinner, then be in bed by midnight. He usually slept 5 hours a night. Weekends he would write articles and do research.
Dr. DeBakey was renowned for his drive, his problem-solving curiosity, and his relentless pursuit of improvement in his craft of surgery. When asked about his continuing motivation to excel in medicine, he said “I think human beings have an innate desire to help each other. Whether in medicine or anything else, you see somebody you can help…you get a gratification from doing it.” He also spoke of the ecstasy and enjoyment of accomplishing a difficult task and the need to be focused and disciplined in the achievement of that to achieve your priorities “You’ll have to give up some things that according to your priority are not important. Going to a movie, watching television, they’re not going to improve your ability to the task you’ve got. If reading will improve it, then you’ve got to read…so that becomes a priority…so self-discipline and dedication are the most important parts of a satisfying career in life, no matter what it is.”
Dan Sullivan, the founder of Strategic Coach, often emphasizes the importance of “making your future bigger than your past.” Dr. DeBakey said “The thing I’m most gratified by are those I’ve trained, because they are the ones that carry on your views, standards, your values…. I’m looking forward to continuing as long as I can, physically and mentally, the thing I enjoy doing, which is the work I do here [at Baylor College of Medicine], teaching responsibilities and research. I’m not sure I’ll live to see [the problems I’m researching] solved, but the pleasure comes in trying to see them solved. That’s what I continue to try to do.”
Dr. DeBakey remained dedicated to his work in a way that might feel out of balance to those of us who have not achieved the reputation of being best in the world at a challenging task. However, I am inspired to become better in my own endeavors as I consider his focus and pursuit of excellence. How about you? Here are a few questions to consider:
How do you find gratification in helping others? What issues touch your heart?
What steps can you take to improve your ability to help others?
Who can you mentor? Who can benefit from your perspective and life wisdom?
What stirs your curiosity?
What daily distractions or habits prevent you from growing, achieving, helping others?
Do you have a story of someone (perhaps yourself) who continues to work or volunteer past age 70? I would love to hear from you.
russ@strategicexit.com
