Why is Vivien Thomas a hero?
Vivien T. Thomas never had much more than a high school diploma, yet remains one of the most significant pioneers of cardiac surgery to date. Having helped save countless children’s lives with congenital heart defects through the surgical techniques he invented. One of which is today famously known as the blue baby Surgery.
What is Blue baby Surgery?
A surgical procedure for a baby who is cyanotic (blue) due to a heart malformation that prevents blood from being fully oxygenated.
After the first operations were performed using Thomas’ technique in 1944. The procedure made national news, yet Thomas was never mentioned. The technique itself was then named after the two doctors Thomas worked for, both of whom were nominated for the Nobel Prize for Physiology or Medicine because of the technique.
Why was Vivien Thomas Excluded?
Well, Vivien Thomas was black, and this was at a time when black and white people used separate drinking fountains and when blacks were barred from entering all-white medical schools and hospitals to perform operations even if they could save lives.
When Thomas’ life-saving technique was first used in 1944, Thomas was not allowed to perform the heart surgery himself but the surgeon could not do it without Thomas’ help. Thomas had to stand on a chair behind the surgeon, giving instructions (and at one point stopping the surgeon from making a suture in the wrong direction).
Thomas’ contributions were not recognized until 1971 when his portrait was displayed at John Hopkins University. Due to restrictions of this time, he could not receive a medical doctorate but instead was awarded an Honourary Doctor of Laws degree 5 years later. Many top surgeons trained under Thomas and credit him with their success.
Vivien T. Thomas rose above the barriers of poverty and racism and quietly changed the course of medical history, not for the credit he inevitably deserved, but because the important work he conducted saved lives.
“I’ve fixed a heart” he would simply state, and that would be the end of it.
Vivien T. Thomas
