Alfred Blalock - Definition and Overview

Alfred Blalock (1899 - 1964) was a 20th century innovator in the field of medical science most noted for his research on the medical emergency condition Shock and Blue baby syndrome.

Blalock earned his medical degree at Johns Hopkins in 1922. In 1925 he went to the new Vanderbilt University Hospital to become its first resident in surgery. He performed pioneering research on the causes and treatment of Shock which was responsible for the saving countless lives during WWII. Johns Hopkins called him back to his alma mater to the joint positions of surgeon-in-chief of the hospital and professor and director of the surgery department at the medical school. While at Johns Hopkins Blalock worked with his assistant Vivien Thomas on a shunt technique to cure the Blue baby syndrome. Blalock was elected to the National Academy of Sciences and awarded numerous honors including the Chevalier de la Legion d'Honneur.