26 Facts About Alfred Blalock

Alfred Blalock worked at both Vanderbilt University and Johns Hopkins University, where he studied medicine and later served as chief of surgery.

Alfred Blalock is known as a medical pioneer who won various awards, including Albert Lasker Clinical Medical Research Award.

Alfred Blalock was born in Culloden, Georgia, the son of Martha "Mattie" and George Zadock Alfred Blalock, a merchant.

Shortly after, Alfred Blalock attended the University of Georgia as a sophomore undergraduate, skipping his freshman year.

Alfred Blalock played tennis and golf, was a member of the Delta chapter of the Sigma Chi fraternity, and was secretary and treasurer of his senior class.

In medical school, Alfred Blalock was known by his friends and classmates as a "ladies man" due to his frequent trips to Goucher College, a women's school located nearby.

Alfred Blalock completed one year of an assistant residency on the general surgical service, and an externship in otorhinolaryngology.

In September 1925, Alfred Blalock joined Tinsley Harrison at Vanderbilt University in Nashville to complete his residency under Barney Brooks, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine's first Professor and Chief of Surgery.

At Vanderbilt, in 1938, Alfred Blalock conducted an experiment where the left subclavian artery was connected to the left pulmonary artery.

Unfortunately, Alfred Blalock had frequent bouts of tuberculosis, which developed during his later years at Vanderbilt.

Alfred Blalock ended up hiring Vivien Thomas, a young black carpenter, as his lab assistant.

In 1941 Alfred Blalock was asked to return to Johns Hopkins Hospital to work as chief of surgery, professor, and director of the department of surgery of the medical school.

In teaching and in research, Alfred Blalock paved the way for a new generation of surgeons.

Students of Alfred Blalock appreciated his unique ability to bring out the best of them.

Many of Alfred Blalock's students went on to become cardiovascular surgeons themselves and rose to high levels of importance in the surgical world.

In 1955, Alfred Blalock became chairman of the medical board of Johns Hopkins Hospital and held that position until his retirement in 1964.

Alfred Blalock retired from Hopkins in 1964 due to health problems.

Alfred Blalock's retirement was just two and a half months before his death.

Alfred Blalock was known for having an appreciation of sports and the outdoors.

In 1955, Alfred Blalock was elected chairman of the medical board of Johns Hopkins Hospital.

Alfred Blalock published more than 200 articles along with a book titled Principles of Surgery, Shock and Other Problems.

Alfred Blalock delivered more than 40 honorary lectures, and was awarded honorary degrees from nine universities.

Alfred Blalock belonged to 43 medical societies in the United States and other countries.

Alfred Blalock received the Chevalier de la Legion d'honneur, the Passano Award, the Matas Award, and the Henry Jacob Bigelow medal.

Alfred Blalock was honored with the Baltimore "Man of the Year" award in 1948.

In 2012 a modified Alfred Blalock clamp was described by prof.