Alfred Blalock Biography: Education, Wikipedia, Net Worth, Children, Wife, Age, Parents, Height

Dr. Alfred Blalock was an American physician and pioneering cardiovascular surgeon. He is best known for developing the Blalock-Taussig shunt, a life-saving surgical procedure for children with congenital heart defects.

Blalock worked at Johns Hopkins University, where he served as the Chief of Surgery and made significant contributions to the field of heart surgery.

Profile

• Full Name: Dr. Alfred Blalock
• Stage Name: Not applicable
• Born: April 5, 1899
• Age: Deceased (Passed away on September 15, 1964, at the age of 65)
• Birthplace: Augusta, Georgia, USA
• Nationality: American
• Occupation: Physician, Surgeon
• Height: 5 feet 5 inches (165 cm) tall
• Parents: George Zadock Blalock, Martha (Davis) Blalock
• Siblings: Unknown
• Spouse: Mary Chambers O’Bryan
• Children: William Rice Blalock, Mary Elizabeth Blalock, Alfred Dandy Blalock
• Relationship: Married
• Net Worth: $2 million

Early Life and Education

Dr. Alfred Blalock was born on April 5, 1899, in Augusta, Georgia, USA. He was 65 years old at the time of his death on September 15, 1964. He was the eldest of five children in the Blalock family. His parents were George Zadock Blalock and Martha (Davis) Blalock. Growing up in the South, Blalock was raised in a family that valued education and hard work.

While there are no specific details available regarding his religious beliefs, Dr. Blalock was of European descent, with roots in the American South.

Blalock‘s early interest in science led him to pursue higher education. He attended the University of Georgia for his undergraduate studies before earning his medical degree from Vanderbilt University School of Medicine in 1922. After completing his degree, he went on to further his medical training at Johns Hopkins University, where he would later make his groundbreaking contributions to cardiovascular surgery.

Career

Dr. Alfred Blalock had a distinguished career as a physician and surgeon, with his most notable contributions in the field of cardiovascular surgery. After completing his medical training at Johns Hopkins University, Blalock became a faculty member at the institution, where he would spend much of his career.

Blalock‘s most famous achievement came in the 1940s when he developed the Blalock-Taussig shunt, a revolutionary surgical procedure for children born with congenital heart defects, particularly those with a condition called tetralogy of Fallot. This life-saving surgery involved creating an artificial bypass between the aorta and the pulmonary artery to improve blood flow to the lungs. The procedure dramatically increased survival rates for children with heart conditions that were previously considered fatal.

Blalock worked closely with Vivien Thomas, a surgical technician, who played a key role in the development and success of the Blalock-Taussig shunt. Despite facing racial and social challenges, Thomas‘s contributions were vital in making the surgery successful. Blalock‘s collaboration with Thomas highlighted his belief in teamwork and his commitment to advancing medical science.

In addition to his pioneering work in heart surgery, Blalock became the Chief of Surgery at Johns Hopkins Hospital, where he helped shape the future of surgery and medical research. His career was marked by significant contributions to the understanding and treatment of cardiovascular diseases, and he became a respected leader in the medical community.

Blalock‘s work earned him numerous accolades, including the prestigious Medal of Honor from the American Surgical Association. He continued to mentor future generations of surgeons and remained dedicated to advancing medicine until his death in 1964. His legacy continues to influence modern surgical practices, particularly in the field of pediatric cardiovascular surgery.

Awards and Nominations

• American Surgical Association’s Medal of Honor (1948)
• Numerous other accolades for his contributions to medicine and surgery

Personal Life

Dr. Alfred Blalock, the renowned American physician and pioneering cardiovascular surgeon, was married twice during his lifetime. His first marriage was to Alice Waters, from 1959 until their divorce in 1964. He later married Mary Chambers O’Bryan, with whom he was married from 1930 to 1958. Dr. Blalock had three children: William Rice Blalock, Mary Elizabeth Blalock, and Alfred Dandy Blalock.

Regarding his height, Dr. Alfred Blalock stands at 5 feet 5 inches (165 cm) tall.

Net Worth

Dr. Alfred Blalock‘s estimated net worth was around $2 million at the time of his death. His wealth primarily stemmed from his successful career as a physician and pioneering cardiovascular surgeon. Blalock earned his income through his work at Johns Hopkins University, where he served as a faculty member and Chief of Surgery.

His groundbreaking contributions to the field of cardiovascular surgery, particularly the development of the Blalock-Taussig shunt, earned him considerable recognition and professional respect. Additionally, Blalock‘s expertise and leadership in the medical community would have contributed to his financial success. His net worth reflects his long and influential career in medicine and surgery.