Raves, Rants & Roses

ROSES: I have been an admirer of Dr. Michael DeBakey of Houston. In more recent years, I have become an admirer of Dr. William Turner of Tyler.

I therefore found it remarkable and actually exciting to see the well deserved, well expressed, heart-felt tribute to Dr. DeBakey offered up by Dr. Turner. I had feared that the passing of Dr. DeBakey might go relatively unnoticed in our area, but Dr. Turner's words in the Tyler Courier-Times-Telegraph proved my fears unfounded.

Many Tylerites are blessed because of Dr. DeBakey's life, for he was the pioneer affecting many individuals. However, Dr. Turner, the author, is the pupil, the heart surgeon, and the pioneer as well.

So, it's roses to Dr. DeBakey and roses to Dr. Turner. I am alive today, as are many friends and neighbors, because of the minds and hands-on care of these two ingenious cardiac doctors.

Alan Shumate
Tyler