Vivien Thomas Biography: Books, Cause of Death, Net Worth, Age, Children, Parents, Siblings, Nationality, Wiki

Dr. Vivien Thomas was an American surgical technician and medical researcher.

He made groundbreaking contributions to heart surgery, most notably developing the procedure to treat “blue baby syndrome” alongside Dr. Alfred Blalock.

Profile

• Full Name: Dr. Vivien Thomas
• Stage Name: Dr. Vivien Thomas
• Born: August 29, 1910
• Age: 75 years old (at the time of passing in 1985)
• Birthplace: Waco, Texas, USA
• Nationality: American
• Occupation: Surgeon, Medical Researcher
• Height: 5 feet 7 inches tall 170 cm.
• Parent: William Marco Thomas, Mary Eaton
• Siblings: Harold Thomas
• Spouse: Clara Thomas
• Children: Theodosia Patricia Thomas, Olga Fay Thomas
• Relationship: Married
• Net Worth: $500,000

Early Life And Education

Dr. Vivien Thomas was born on August 29, 1910, in Waco, Texas, United States. He was 75 years old at the time of his passing on 26 November 1985. He was the son of William Marco Thomas and Mary Eaton. He grew up alongside his brother, Harold Thomas, in a modest household. Vivien Thomas was of African-American descent and practiced Christianity.

From a young age, he showed a strong interest in medicine and science, but the Great Depression and racial barriers made his path difficult. Despite these challenges, he remained determined. He attended Pearl High School in Nashville, Tennessee, where he graduated with honors. He later enrolled at Tennessee Agricultural and Industrial College (now Tennessee State University) with plans to pursue a career in medicine, but financial difficulties forced him to leave school before completing his degree. Although he never earned a formal medical degree, his skills and dedication would lead him to make historic contributions to the field of surgery.

Career

Dr. Vivien Thomas began his career in 1930 as a laboratory assistant at Vanderbilt University under the supervision of Dr. Alfred Blalock. Despite having no formal medical training, Thomas quickly mastered complex surgical procedures and laboratory techniques, becoming an essential part of Blalock‘s research team.

In 1941, Thomas followed Blalock to Johns Hopkins University, where he helped develop the groundbreaking surgical procedure known as the Blalock-Taussig shunt. This operation was designed to treat “blue baby syndrome,” a congenital heart defect that caused oxygen deprivation in infants. Thomas was responsible for designing and perfecting the technique through countless experiments on laboratory animals before it was successfully performed on a human patient.

Although his role was initially overlooked due to racial discrimination, Thomas‘s contributions became undeniable. Over time, he was recognized not just as a skilled technician but as a true surgical pioneer. He eventually became an instructor of surgery at Johns Hopkins University, training generations of surgeons, many of whom went on to have distinguished careers. His work helped lay the foundation for modern open-heart surgery, securing his legacy as a trailblazer in medical history.

Personal Life

Dr. Vivien Thomas was married to Clara Thomas. They shared a strong and supportive relationship throughout his life. There are no widely known records of any previous relationships before his marriage to Clara.

Together, they had two daughters: Theodosia Patricia Thomas, born in 1933, and Olga Fay Thomas, born in 1937. Dr. Vivien Thomas stood 5 feet 7 inches tall, which is approximately 170 cm.

Filmography

Dr. Vivien Thomas was the subject of the 2004 TV movie Something the Lord Made, which portrayed his life and work with Dr. Blalock. The film starred Mos Def as Dr. Thomas and Alan Rickman as Dr. Blalock.

Net Worth

At the time of his passing, Dr. Vivien Thomas had an estimated net worth $500,000. His primary source of income came from his long career in medical research, surgical innovation, and teaching at Johns Hopkins University. Although he never earned a doctor’s salary due to not having a formal medical degree, his skills, contributions to groundbreaking surgeries, and later recognition as an instructor provided him with financial stability.

His legacy, however, extends far beyond monetary value, as his work paved the way for modern heart surgery and inspired generations of medical professionals.