WASHINGTON, Sept. 7, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Following is the daily "Profile America" feature from the U.S. Census Bureau:

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FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 7: NOTED HEART SURGEON

Profile America — Friday, September 7th.  Today marks the birthday of famous heart surgeon Dr. Michael DeBakey, who has been described as "perhaps the greatest surgeon ever."  While still in medical school, DeBakey invented the roller pump, a key piece of equipment in open heart surgery.  During his long professional career, he invented at least 50 instruments for heart and artery repair.  He is also credited as the driving force behind the establishment of the Houston Medical Center, one of the best of its kind in the world.  By the time he died at age 99 four years ago, DeBakey had performed an estimated 60,000 operations.  Just over 616,000 people die of heart disease in the U.S. annually.  Profile America is in its 16th year as a public service of the U.S. Census Bureau.

Sources:  Chase's Calendar of Events 2012, p. 439
Statistical Abstract of the United States 2012, t. 120

Profile America is produced by the Center for New Media and Promotions of the U.S. Census Bureau. These daily features are available as produced segments, ready to air, on a monthly CD or on the Internet at http://www.census.gov (look for "Multimedia Gallery" by the "Newsroom" button).

SOURCE U.S. Census Bureau