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Vivien Thomas: Legacy in Cardiac Surgery

The documentary tells the true story of Vivien Thomas, a Black surgical technician in the 1940s who made crucial contributions to the development of cardiac surgery techniques despite facing racial discrimination. Thomas worked closely with Dr. Alfred Blalock to help pioneer groundbreaking procedures like the "Blue Baby" surgery which saved the lives of infants born with Tetralogy of Fallot. Though Thomas's work was integral to advances in cardiac surgery, his role was not properly acknowledged for many years due to the racial attitudes of the time. The film explores Thomas's partnership with Blalock, the medical breakthroughs they achieved together, and how Thomas overcame obstacles of racism and sexism to make lasting impacts on the

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Amanda Krzyżanowska
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222 views3 pages

Vivien Thomas: Legacy in Cardiac Surgery

The documentary tells the true story of Vivien Thomas, a Black surgical technician in the 1940s who made crucial contributions to the development of cardiac surgery techniques despite facing racial discrimination. Thomas worked closely with Dr. Alfred Blalock to help pioneer groundbreaking procedures like the "Blue Baby" surgery which saved the lives of infants born with Tetralogy of Fallot. Though Thomas's work was integral to advances in cardiac surgery, his role was not properly acknowledged for many years due to the racial attitudes of the time. The film explores Thomas's partnership with Blalock, the medical breakthroughs they achieved together, and how Thomas overcame obstacles of racism and sexism to make lasting impacts on the

Uploaded by

Amanda Krzyżanowska
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

MOVIE: SOMETHING THE LORD MADE

[Link]

"Something God Made" is a movie that tells the true story of Vivien Thomas, a Black surgical
technician whose contributions were crucial in developing cardiac surgery techniques. The
following are 50 questions about the film:

1. What is the central theme of "Something God Made"?

2. Who directed the movie "Something God Made"?

3. Who played the role of Vivien Thomas in the film?

4. What is the historical context of the movie?

5. How does the film depict racial discrimination and segregation during the period it covers?

6. Who is the main character of the story?

7. What inspired Vivien Thomas to pursue a career in medicine?

8. How did Vivien Thomas end up working with Dr. Alfred Blalock?

9. What challenges did Vivien face as a Black man in the medical field during the 1940s?
10. What are some of the critical surgical procedures depicted in the film?

11. How does the movie explore the relationship between Vivien Thomas and Dr. Blalock?

12. What impact did Vivien's work have on cardiac surgery?

13. What is the significance of the "Blue Baby" surgery in the film?

14. How does Vivien Thomas demonstrate his expertise in the operating room?

15. What role does Mary Thomas (Vivien's wife) play in the story?

16. How does the film portray the emotional toll of the work on Vivien Thomas and Dr. Blalock?

17. What do the characters in the movie face ethical dilemmas?

18. How do the other doctors and nurses at Johns Hopkins Hospital react to Vivien Thomas's presence?

19. What were the social and racial dynamics of the time that the movie explores?

20. How do Vivien's personal life and struggles affect his work?

21. What was the public's reaction to the groundbreaking surgeries performed by Vivien and Dr. Blalock?

22. How did Vivien Thomas's legacy continue after the events of the film?

23. What was the significance of the "Tetralogy of Fallot" procedure in the movie?

24. How does the film depict the evolution of surgical techniques and medical knowledge?

25. What were the challenges Vivien and Dr. Blalock faced in their research and work?

26. How does the film address issues of sexism in the medical field?

27. What is the role of Vivien's mentor, Dr. Taussig, in the film's narrative?

28. How does Vivien Thomas's character change throughout the movie?

29. What were the racial tensions in Baltimore, Maryland, during the 1940s, and how do they impact the
characters?

30. What were the political and social factors that contributed to Vivien's journey?

31. What were the consequences of the medical innovations portrayed in the film?

32. How does the film depict Vivien's interactions with patients and their families?
33. What role does Vivien's educational background play in his ability to contribute to medical
advancements?

34. How is the character of Dr. Denton Cooley portrayed in the film?

35. What is the significance of the term "Blue Baby" in the context of the movie?

36. How did Vivien Thomas's partnership with Dr. Blalock change the landscape of cardiac surgery?

37. What was the medical community's reaction to Vivien's accomplishments?

38. How did the film depict the technical aspects of the surgeries Vivien and Dr. Blalock performed?

39. What were the specific contributions of Vivien Thomas to the development of cardiac surgery?

40. How did the film address the relationship between science and ethics in medicine?

41. What did Vivien Thomas make the personal sacrifices for his work?

42. How does the film explore the impact of innovation on patients' lives?

43. What challenges did Vivien face in gaining recognition for his work?

44. How does the film address the intersection of medical advancement and social justice?

45. What were some obstacles Vivien Thomas had to overcome in his career?

46. How did Vivien Thomas's story influence future medical professionals?

47. How does the film reflect the broader context of medical history in the mid-20th century?

48. What were the lasting legacies of Vivien Thomas and Dr. Blalock in the medical field?

49. How does "Something God Made" convey the emotional depth of its characters?

50. What message or lessons does the film aim to impart to its audience?

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