Vivien Thomas: the Man who Helped Invent the Heart Surgery

Vivian Thomas, born in 1910, was a pioneering figure in heart surgery despite not having a formal medical degree. He began his career as a lab assistant to Alfred Blalock at Vanderbilt University and later moved to Johns Hopkins, where they developed life-saving procedures for infants with heart defects. Despite his significant contributions, Thomas faced racial discrimination and was often underrecognized. He eventually received an honorary doctorate and left a lasting legacy in the medical field.

What was Vivian Thomas's profession before he entered the medical field?

• A teacher

• A carpenter

• A mechanic

• A farmer

What significant medical procedure did Thomas help develop at Johns Hopkins?

• Kidney dialysis

• Blue baby surgery

• Liver transplant

• Heart transplant

Despite his contributions, what challenge did Thomas face at Johns Hopkins?

• He was not recognized by his peers

• He was not given a salary

• He was not invited to Blalock's birthday celebration

• He was not allowed to perform surgeries

What title was Vivian Thomas given at Johns Hopkins University later in his career?

• Professor of Cardiology

• Instructor Emeritus of Surgery

• Chief of Surgery

• Dean of Medicine

What honor did Vivian Thomas receive from Johns Hopkins University in 1976?

• A Nobel Prize

• A Medal of Freedom

• An honorary doctorate

• A Pulitzer Prize