Heart Surgery Pioneer - Vivien Thomas (Johns Hopkins)
The story of Vivien Thomas is extraordinary.
In fact, as Robyn (my wife) and I watched the HBO special on his life, we both found ourselves in tears.
The television movie is called “Something The Lord Made” and it premiered in May, 2004.
During his lifetime, Vivien Thomas faced prejudice, bigotry, wage discrimination and humiliation in the process of changing cardiac surgery forever. That said, after the replacement of my diseased aortic valve and pulmonary valve, I am DEEPLY INDEBTED to this man and his innovative colleague Dr. Blalock.
Here is Vivien Thomas’ Biography On Wikipedia.
If you have any interest in learning about one of the pioneers of heart surgery, I highly encourage you to watch or rent this movie.
Keep on tickin!
Adam Pick is a double, heart valve surgery patient and author of The Patient’s Guide To Heart Valve Surgery, a unique book which integrates the clinical facts of heart valve surgery with the personal experiences of an actual heart valve surgery patient. To learn more about Adam and his heart valve surgery book, click here.
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June 8th, 2008 at 3:24 pm
I loved this show and I saw it when it first came out. Now that I’ve been told I’ll need the surgery in a year or two, I’ll have to watch it again and see what new insight I’ll gain.
June 8th, 2008 at 5:31 pm
Just wanted you to know that I had surgery performed by Dr. Blaylock in 1950 to repair a patent ductus. It was a new procedure and I was brought to Johns Hopkins by my parents, who had been told to “take her home to die” when I was born. And here I am, 57 years later! Unfortunately, now I need a valve replacement due to congenital aortic stenosis which has become critical. My father had told me about this movie, but I have not seen it yet. I’m looking forward to watching it.
August 13th, 2008 at 6:13 am
I’m a medical student graduate here at the Philippines. I want to pursue on Congenital Heart Surgery because I was very interested in Congenital heart defects. I’ve always read on the corrective procedures and one of them was the “Blalock-Taussig shunt” which is one of the component of a 3-staged procedure known as the “Norwood Operation.” I watched “Something The Lord Made” and it really inspired me. It was a very good movie and I would want to give it a “Two Thumb’s Up.” Thanks to Dr. Blalock that Cardiac Surgery came to existence. I really liked what Dr. Blalock said to one of his colleagues, “When you see risk, I see opportunity.”
September 16th, 2008 at 5:34 pm
On 2 june 08 I had a Aortic Mechanical Valve Surgery. That was my 67th
Birthday. My wife ask me if i would do it all over again and I told her yes.
I am so thankful for John Hopkins Hospital. If any one has been told they need surgery don’t put it off.
September 26th, 2008 at 2:11 pm
Great movie, and how people address injustice.
April 13th, 2009 at 10:08 am
I just saw the movie today. I watched it with my 9 year old son. I had never heard of him before. Shows like this are so very important and valuable to the American and African American culture.
I had to google him right away. I found great information on “Dr” Vivien Thomas.
Thanks
April 27th, 2009 at 11:04 pm
This is my second time watching this movie. I have never heard of Dr. Thomas before and I am black woman. This movie really touched me so the first time that I had to record it when I caught it on tv again. When Dr. Thomas was recognized I was in tears filled with joy. I was clapping and standing as if I was there. Great movie…I mean really it is one for all to see.
I too went to google to get more information on Dr. Thomas.
October 29th, 2009 at 10:34 am
I was flipping through the channels right before going to bed and found this movie and decided to watch it. I had no Idea of the treasure that it would actually be. I enjoyed every minute of the movie. The only disturbing issue was that I had not heard of Dr. Vivien before. I am a socially conscious 40 year old man and It’s amazing that a true to life story such as this could escape me. I reflect on all of the stories of individuals that are told over and over and it is hard to believe that one of this magnitude has just made it to the big screen. Also, a little contradiction to my earlier statement, It disturbed me how Dr. Blalock could hold forum and disregard mention of Dr. Thomas. It also was a vivid look at how as human beings we can be so passionate about a thing that we exhibit incompassion for those who have contributed Significantly to the realization of that passion.
December 4th, 2009 at 11:29 pm
Thank you for recognizing Dr. Thomas. I just watched this movie. Even as an African American who has witnessed and experienced so much of what was portratyed in the movie, all I can say is AMAZING. I am so glad that you have benefited from the groundbreaking work done by Dr. Thomas and Dr. Blalock. That fact that you felt compelled to recognize Dr. Thomas gives me hope and warms my heart. You have made my day, my month, my year! God Bless!
February 1st, 2010 at 12:15 am
I first saw this movie three months ago while checking movies to watch. I found the title interesting and began to watch. I have since, watched it three times and told many, many friends to be sure to watch “Something the Lord Made”. Not only will it educate you with the beginning of heart surgery from the 30’s, but allows you to see what segreagation was about. Dr Blaylock was head strong with his research for helping Blue Babies, he was just as convinced that there was so much more could be done to help other failures with the heart. We owe a tremendous debt of gratitude to him and Vivien Thomas for their intense desire and dedication to make things better for all we have today.. Open your hearts and give thanks to these great Professionals and those who have followed. We are truly blessd to have them in our life times…… J. Hancock
February 9th, 2010 at 1:08 am
Excelent movie and story. Makes me look back and wish I would have became a doctor. I touch people’s lives in the field of work I do now, but to save it would be astounding. This movie is a homerun winner and should be watched by all. I’m not brown, but I couldn’t imagine living in a time where I was supposed to hate browns. I’ve always been against judging people via skin. Hence why I left Alabama. Hopefully the world is changing.