Vivien Thomas

Vivien Thomas was an American surgical technician and researcher. He was born in Nashville, Tennessee, in 1910. He helped develop a procedure to save babies born with a heart defect called blue baby syndrome. His skills were so great that surgeons came from around the world to learn from him.

Early Life

Thomas dreamed of becoming a doctor, but the Great Depression left him without money for school. He got a job as a laboratory assistant for surgeon Alfred Blalock. Thomas proved to be incredibly skilled at surgery. He and Blalock developed a close working relationship.

Blue Baby Surgery

Thomas and Blalock developed a surgery to help babies whose blood was not getting enough oxygen. Thomas practiced and perfected the procedure on animals in the lab. In 1944, the first successful surgery was performed on a baby. Thomas stood behind Blalock, coaching him through the operation. The procedure saved thousands of children's lives.

Fun Facts

• Vivien Thomas had no college degree but developed a surgical procedure that saved thousands of lives.
• Surgeons from around the world came to Johns Hopkins to learn from him.
• He received an honorary doctorate from Johns Hopkins University in 1976.

Did You Know?

During the first blue baby surgery in 1944, Vivien Thomas stood on a stool behind surgeon Alfred Blalock and whispered instructions. Thomas had practiced the procedure so many times that he knew every step perfectly.