Each biennial meeting year since 1978, the Awards Committee of the Michael E. DeBakey International Surgical Society has selected a surgeon to receive the DeBakey Surgical Award.
This is a singular honor bestowed only on the world’s most outstanding surgeons for their significant contributions to surgery.
| 2020 | Charles H. McCollum | 2018 | Joseph Coselli, MD |
| 2016 | No Award Given | 2014 | Kenneth L. Mattox, M.D. |
| 2012 | No Award Given | 2010 | No Award Given |
| 2008 | George P. Noon, MD | 2006 | No Award Given |
| 2004 | Norman M. Rich, M.D. | 2002 | No Award Given |
| 2000 | John O. Ochsner, M.D. | 1998 | F. William Blaisdell, M.D. |
| 1996 | Frank C. Spencer, M.D. | 1994 | C. Rollins Hanlon, M.D. |
| 1992 | Henry Bahnson, M.D. | 1990 | E. Stanley Crawford, M.D. |
| 1988 | John Kirklin, M.D. | 1986 | Norman Shumway, M.D. |
| 1984 | David Sabiston, M.D. | 1982 | Frank Gerbode, M.D. |
| 1980 | Alton Ochsner, M.D. | 1978 | Charles Dubost, M.D. |