Lois DeBakey

Lois DeBakey (6 July 1920 – 15 June 2016) was an American professor of scientific communications at Baylor College of Medicine and Tulane University School of Medicine. and with her sister Selma, created the first medical school communication courses that were curriculum-approved. DeBakey served on the National Library of Medicine Board of Regents and was the sister of Michael DeBakey, the cardiovascular surgeon and medical educator.

Early life and education Lois DeBakey was raised in Lake Charles, Louisiana by her parents Raheeja and Shaker DeBakey, who were Lebanese Christians that fled the Ottoman Empire. Lois is the sister to Selma DeBakey and Michael DeBakey. At Tulane University she also earned a master's degree and a PhD in literature and linguistics.

Career Lois DeBakey, along with her sister, Selma, worked to encourage physicians to avoid complicated medical jargon. The DeBakey sisters traveled around the world giving presentations to help doctors be more precise and clear when speaking with patients. The DeBakey sisters shared an office in the Texas Medical Center, just down the hall from their brother Michael's office.

Honors and awards

Membership in the Golden Key National Honour Society