VIVIEN THOMAS, The Man who Helped Invent the Heart Surgery

Vivien Thomas was born on August 29, 1910, in New Iberia, Louisiana. He was the son of a carpenter and grandson of an enslaved man. He was a skilled carpenter who saved for seven years to pay for his education but lost it all during the Great Depression. Beginning in 1930, he worked at Vanderbilt University’s Medical School as a laboratory assistant to Alfred Blalock, a white physician who became a pioneer in cardiac surgery. Blalock mentored Thomas and taught him to conduct experiments. Thomas had never been in a lab before, but his intelligence and curiosity impressed Blalock. After 37 years, Thomas was appointed to the faculty at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. Leaving an indelible mark, he became instructor emeritus of surgery. Vivien Thomas received an honorary doctorate from Johns Hopkins University in 1976. Vivien Thomas, who never earned a medical degree, died in Baltimore, Maryland at the age of 75. The Black History Buff Podcast is a fully independent project. We aren’t backed by a publishing house, advertising partners or a major enterprise. For our existence, we depend on our loyal listeners – we depend on you. So if you enjoy our content and want to support the creation of more join our history village and support our mission to share hidden stories from Black Culture. Membership benefits include: - Early access to new episodes - Bonus episodes and content - Be part of the creation of new episodes - Guest memberships Click the link below to join the village https://steadyhq.com/en/blackhistory Video Equipment Used During Walking Videos: DJI Osmo Pocket 3 Gimbal Camera (Compact camera with a gimbal) https://amzn.to/3Nh284E Apple MacBook Air laptop https://amzn.to/3Y0tqRJ Lowepro ProTactic 450 AW II Black Pro Modular Backpack https://amzn.to/3ZVaQNd Falcam F38 Aluminum Alloy Multi-Hole Quick Release Kit https://amzn.to/3ZUJI16 59Inch/146cm Selfie Stick Tripod for Gopro https://amzn.to/4eyAX11 Apple AirPods Pro 2 Wireless Earbuds https://amzn.to/3XYNROH Podcasting Equipment: Shure SM7B Vocal Dynamic Microphone https://amzn.to/3BK1YzX Audient EVO 4 USB Audio Interface sound card for music production https://amzn.to/4gZ4LFY beyerdynamic DT 990 PRO Over-Ear Studio Monitor Headphones https://amzn.to/3BwPb3Q Audio Books: Audible Free Trial httpblackhistor06n.co.uk/Audible-Free-Trial-Digital-Membership/dp/B00OPA2XFG?tag=blackhistor06 The Autobiography of Malcolm X: As Told to Alex Haley https://amzn.to/4gXr7Hz The New Jim Crow by Michelle Alexander https://amzn.to/3XR7l82 Frederick Douglass: Prophet of Freedom by David W. Blight https://amzn.to/3TVCINK Currently Reading: Freeman's Challenge: The Murder That Shook America's Original Prison for Profit https://amzn.to/3YgoxFe BLK ART: The Audacious Legacy of Black Artists and Models in Western Art https://amzn.to/4dD0LYJ The Oxford Companion to Black British History https://amzn.to/4eyUs9S Recommended Reading: The Souls of Black Folk by W.E.B. Du Bois https://amzn.to/4exCLYl Philosophy and Opinions of Marcus Garvey https://amzn.to/3BuTwEI Stamped from the Beginning https://amzn.to/47XhvZj Check out our social media channels for interesting content Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/black_history_buff_777/ Twitter: https://mobile.twitter.com/blackhistorybuf Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/blackhistorybuff777/ Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.co.uk/blackhistorybuff777/ Thank you, for listening, for sharing and for joining us on our mission. King Kurus, The Black History Buff https://steadyhq.com/en/blackhistory https://plnk.to/blackhistory/e/ #black #history #historybuff #blackhistory #blackisking #historyoftheworld #historychannel #historyofafrica #culturelive #education

Added 12 Apr 2026