November 29, 1944 –
The first open heart surgery was performed at Johns Hopkins hospital, on this date.
A surgical fix for a fetal heart defect, tetralogy of Fallot or blue baby syndrome, was first performed at Johns Hopkins by surgeon Alfred Blalock and Vivien Thomas, a black assistant who actually perfected the procedure. Thomas’ contribution to the lifesaving surgery remained largely unacknowledged, outside of the medical profession, for many years afterwards.
The Haus of Dcaligari 