History

The Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center (MEDVAMC) began its life in the waning days of World War II. On April 26, 1944, President Franklin D. Roosevelt approved the acquisition of a 118-acre site on the corner of Old Spanish Trail and Almeda to be used as a 500-bed naval hospital (pictured below).

The site (pictured below), south of downtown Houston, was actually purchased from the Hermann Estate by 353 Houston citizens and donated to the federal government. 

On June 1, 1945, President Harry S. Truman designated the hospital as a permanent naval hospital (pictured below). Commissioning ceremonies were held on September 4, 1946 to place the hospital into active operation. On April 14, 1949, the facility was transferred to the Veterans Administration and renamed the United States Veterans Administration Hospital.

Designated as a teaching hospital and affiliated with the Baylor College of Medicine, the hospital accepted 22 residents in its training and education programs in its first year. The father of modern cardiovascular surgery, Michael E. DeBakey, M.D., head of Baylor's department of surgery, a member of the Veteran Administration's Dean's Committee, and a driving force behind today's MEDVAMC's position in the medical community, said at the time, "The affiliation of the Veterans Administration Hospital and Baylor University College of Medicine has served a double purpose: To give Veterans the highest standard of medical care and to enable Baylor to give training in some departments available nowhere else in the South."

Dr. DeBakey helped to establish the system of treating military personnel returning from the war, a concept that evolved into the Veterans Health Administration system. As Colonel Michael DeBakey, he served on the Surgeon General's Staff during World War II, earned the U.S. Army Legion of Merit Award, and conducted studies that led to the development of mobile army surgical hospitals or MASH units.

In 1983, the U.S. Congress approved the construction of a new $246 million replacement MEDVAMC facility (pictured above). Groundbreaking ceremonies were held in 1986.

In mid-1991, MEDVAMC opened the doors of a new state-of-the-art facility located on the same 118-acre site, and the old hospital was demolished (pictured above).

In recognition of Dr. DeBakey's tireless efforts on behalf of our Nation's Veterans, President George W. Bush signed Public Law 108-170 on December 6, 2003 officially changing the name of the facility to the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center (pictured above).

Medical Center Directors

• Lee D. Cady, M.D., 1949-1963
• John W. Claiborne, M.D, 1963 - 1975
• John J. Cox, 1975 - 1977
• John V. Sheehan, 1977 - 1992
• Robert F. Stott, 1992 - 1997
• David Whatley, 1998 - 2000
• Adam C. Walmus, 2009 - 2016
• Edgar L. Tucker, 2001 - 2009
• Francisco Vazquez, 2016-present

Historical dates

• April 26, 1944: Acquisition of property
• August 12, 1944: Deed and construction started shortly thereafter.
• March 10, 1945: Cornerstone laying
• September 4, 1946: Commissioning ceremonies and active operation.
• April 14, 1949: Transfer ceremonies of Naval management to Veterans Administration

History of Street Names

HENDRICKS TERRACE

Honoring Lieutenant (JG) Lucille Hendricks (NO), U.S.N., of De Leon, Comanche County, Texas. On duty as Chief Nurse of the Dispensary, U.S. Naval Air Station, Naval Operating Base, Dutch Harbor, Alaska. Lt. Hendricks was killed in a crash of an air transport near Dutch Harbor on 23 April 1944. 

MIXON AVENUE

Honoring Lieutenant Ruben Samuel Mixon (HG), U.S.N. Born Blooming Grove, Texas, later of Dallas, Texas. While attached to Staff Command, Third Fleet, during invasion of Okinawa, and while returning to his ship, the U.S.S. Missouri, his plane was forced down at sea off Amami Island, 28 May 1945. Surrounded by Japanese torpedo boats, and during transfer to one of these, Lieutenant Mixon helped to capsize and sink the plane. In prison camp at Amami, according to witnesses, he suffered severe beatings because he would not reveal information on movement of U.S. ships. For this reason, he was dragged from his cell one night in June 1945 and executed by a firing squad. 

RINGNESS AVENUE

Honoring Lieutenant Henry Raymond Ringness (MC), U.S.N., of Washington, D.C. Navy Cross posthumously. Trapped in a foxhole at Guadacanal, 13 October 1942, he was mortally wounded by the explosion of a Japanese shell, which killed four and wounded four others. Although completely paralyzed in the lower half of his body, he persisted in treating the other wounded, minimizing his own injuries. He died of his wounds three days later. HEGE DRIVE Honoring Captain Raymond H. Hege (MC) U.S.N., of San Diego, CA. Bronze Star posthumously. While attached to the Staff of Commander, First Carrier Task Force, aboard the U.S.S. Bunker Hill, he was mortally wounded on 11 May 1945, while continuing to direct medical operations aboard that vessel during fire and heavy enemy air attack. 

FORSYTHE PLAZA

Honoring Commander Richard M. Forsythe (MO), U.S.N.R., of East Cleveland, Ohio. Navy Cross posthumously. While with the First Marine Division on New Britain, 6 March 1944, he was mortally wounded while ministering to the injured. He continued to work refusing treatment for himself, until severe pain and exhaustion forced him to cease. He later succumbed to his wounds. 

PORRAS PLAZA

Honoring Charles Victor Porras, Jr., Pharmacist's Mate, Third Class, U.S.N.R., of Los Angeles, CA. Navy Cross posthumously. While serving with the First Marine Division on Peleliu, on 22 September1944, he proceeded far in advance of his own lines to evacuate casualties in a reconnaissance patrol. He had brought back four wounded men, unaided, before he himself was fatally struck down by a burst of enemy fire. 

GATE TERRACE

Honoring Lieutenant James Stewart Gate (DG) U.S.N.R., of Baker, Oregon. Bronze Star posthumously. While attached to Twenty-third Marines, Fourth Marine Division, during action on Saipan and Tinian Islands, from 15 June to 25 July 1944, he voluntarily accompanied the Regimental Medical Section in extremely hazardous operations. Lieutenant Gate repeatedly went to the aid of wounded despite peril of intense artillery and mortar fire and treated and evacuated stricken men with heroic disregard for his own personal safety until he himself was mortally wounded. 

SHIELDS AVENUE

Honoring Ellis H. Shields, Chief Pharmacist's Mate, U.S.N.R., of Muscatine, Iowa. Navy Cross posthumously. As a member of the 40th Construction Battalion (Seabees), during the invasion of the Admiralty Islands, in August 1944, he left his foxhole against orders to give aid to the wounded. He was killed by enemy fire while returning after having given treatment to several wounded. 

LEE AVENUE 

Honoring James L. Lee, Jr., Pharmacist's Mate, Third Class, U.S.N.R., of Round Rock, Texas. Navy Cross Posthumously. While serving with the U.S. Marines at the battle of Piva Forks, Bougainville, in June 1944, he disregarded warnings that he faced certain death and heroically braved intense enemy fire to reach an injured Marine. Struck by bullets almost immediately, he dragged himself to the side of the wounded man and was administering first aid when both he and his patient were killed by machine gun fire. 

PILEWSKI CIRCLE

Honoring George Stanley Pilewski, Hospital Apprentice, First Class, of Dickson, PA. Navy Cross posthumously. While serving aboard the U.S.S. Savannah during the invasion of Italy on 11 September 1943, following an explosion in a gun turret, he risked his life to enter the burning turret. He heroically continued to evacuate wounded and dying men until overcome and suffocated himself by fumes and noxious gases. 

MESSER ROAD

Honoring John Albert Messer, Jr. Pharmacist's Mate. First Class. of Picher, Oklahoma. Navy Cross posthumously. While serving with a Marine Artillery Battalion during the invasion of Saipan, in July 1944, his position was overrun by the enemy. He volunteered to penetrate Japanese lines and evacuate casualties. After he had recovered numerous wounded men under severe fire, he was mortally wounded by a Japanese sniper bullet. 

COLGAN TERRACE

Honoring William Winfield Colgan, Pharmacist's Mate, Second Class, U.S.N.R., of Cartaret, N.J. Navy Cross posthumously. While serving with the First Marine Division at Peleliu, on 4 October 1944, he immediately proceeded far in front of his own lines to administer first aid to casualties. When American troops were forced to withdraw, he directed the men to take cover until a smoke screen was lowered. He then skillfully supervised evacuation of the wounded until he was fatally struck by Japanese fire. 

Le CAPTAIN AVENUE

Honoring Bernard Le Captain, Pharmacist's Mate, Second Class, U.S.N.R., of Glen Fora, WI. Navy Cross posthumously. While serving with the Third Marine Division during the battle for Fonte Hill, Guam, Mariannas Islands, on 25 July 1944, he repeatedly risked his life to minister to the wounded. Struck by enemy fire and severely and painfully wounded himself. he continued to care for patients under his care until he collapsed and succumbed.