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| Vol. 24, No. 2 |
| February 1, 2002 |
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Art from the Heart A heart-shaped piece of wood cut from a tree on the Crawford, Texas ranch where President George W. and first lady Laura Bush touch base with their Texas roots; a diamond-encrusted, heart-shaped lapel pin from singer/actress Debbie Reynolds; "Deep in the Heart of Texas" sheet music autographed by comedian Bob Hope – these are just a few of the heart-themed mementos on display in the museum located on the first floor of the Denton A. Cooley Building, the new home of the Texas Heart Institute at St. Luke’s Episcopal Hospital. In honor of the building’s opening, astronauts, athletes, U.S. presidents past and present, artists, actors, musicians and more donated – and sometimes even created – artistic pieces that reflect their lives in the theme of hearts. There’s a rope mounted in the shape of a heart from county and western singer George Strait; a pre-Columbian heart-shaped mask from Houston art mogul Alfred Glassell; and oil well firefighting equipment with a heart-shaped autograph from legendary blaze battler Red Adair. In all, 143 artifacts are part of the permanent display, titled "Celebration of Hearts," conceived and initiated by Houston celebrity Warner Roberts, who spent countless hours contacting noteworthy individuals for heartfelt contributions. Also included in the museum is a new exhibit called "Leading with the Heart," where heroes of the Texas Heart Institute are spotlighted. Some are patients who underwent the first of a series of then-revolutionary new procedures; some are physicians and professional staff; some are trustees and donors. Dr. Denton Cooley, founder, president and surgeon in chief of the Institute, donated his log book – an operating room "guest registry" of sorts – in which he recorded in longhand all his open-heart surgery cases from the 1950s through the 1970s, until the debut of computers. Yet a third display, "Letters from the Heart," showcases letters from former patients, many who continue corresponding years after their surgeries.
©1996-2002 Texas Medical Center
E-Mail: tmcinfo@texmedctr.tmc.edu
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