Black History Month

"Can't separate the past from the future any more than you can a right arm and your left arm" - Viven Thonmas

February 1st marks both Black History Month, as well as Congenital Heart Defects Awareness Month.

We are so proud, and excited to announce the impending release of our Epidemiological Survey to launch later this month. Our physician-built survey aims to capture potential causes of CHDs. Our hope is in utilizing our best resource- parents, and caregivers.

We hope, and believe that through working together, and continued research, we can come to a better understanding of these unique pathologies. In the interim, we will continue sharing stories, not only of those who have been living with CHDs, but also of the people who have worked to create a better understanding in the medical field.

To commemorate this shared month, today we highlight Viven T. Thomas, an American Laboratory Supervisor who worked alongside the clinicians who aided in developing the Blalock–Thomas–Taussig shunt.

Dr. Thomas was an African American, born during the Jim Crowe era. He became an Instructor of Surgery at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine. He taught operative techniques to some of the country's foremost surgeons in his time.