Doctor Vivien Theodore Thomas was an African-American surgical technician who developed the procedures used to treat blue baby syndrome in the 1940’s. Although he was not allowed to perform surgeries due to the racist attitudes of the times, he trained and guided various white surgeons through the procedures he developed.
The work and training of Dr. Thomas in heart surgeries has saved countless lives and we are forever indebted to this medical angel who changed the way we understand how the human heart works. Being a former carpenter and never going to medical school to become one of the most influential doctors in history is an example to us all that anything is possible.
In honour of our Black History Series, today we’d like to honour and recognize George Dixon, born in Africville, Nova Scotia, who was the first black World Champion of any sport. He was also known as the inventor of shadow boxing and using the punching bag which was suspended from the ceiling. George Dixon was not only the first black World Champion of any sport, he also was an innovator of training techniques which are still used today.
Today’s blog post is dedicated to Trayvon Martin and the Black Lives Matter Movement. On this day, Trayvon Martin would’ve been turning 24, therefore we want to recognize his birthday as the senseless ending of his life was the spark that started the Black Lives Matter Movement.