Something the Lord Made video Analysis 3

page 1 NAME ______________________________DATE _______________ block _____ Video Analysis – Something the Lord Made (HBO ( · Three main characters: Dr. Alfred Blalock Vivien Thomas Dr. Helen Taussig · Setting : o Vanderbilt University / Nashville, TN o Johns Hopkins University Hospital / Baltimore, Maryland Vocabulary/Prompt Definition / Response to Prompt Standard : L6 – Acquire and use accurately general academic and domain-specific words and phrases Congenital Present at birth or existing from birth. Cyanosis Bluish discoloration of the skin, lips, or nail beds due to inadequate oxygenation of the blood. What is an anastomosis ? An anastomosis is a surgical connection or joining of two blood vessels, hollow organs, or ducts. It allows for the flow of fluids or blood between them. What is a necropsy ? A necropsy is a medical procedure performed after death to determine the cause of death and under - stand the pathological changes in the body. List three detailed characteristics for Tetralogy of Fallot (Blue Baby Syndrome .( ** Include information that you can understand. 1. Ventricular Septal Defect: Tetralogy of Fallot is characterized by a ventricular septal defect, which is a hole in the wall that separates the two lower chambers (ventricles) of the heart. 2. Pulmonary Stenosis: Pulmonary stenosis refers to the narrowing or obstruction of the pulmonary valve or the blood vessels that carry blood from the heart to the lungs. 3. Right Ventricular Hypertrophy: Due to the increased workload of pumping blood against the nar - rowed pulmonary valve, the right ventricle of the heart becomes enlarged and thickened. Summary/Comprehension Standard · RI3 :Analyze a complex set of ideas or sequence of events and explain how specific individuals, ideas, or events interact and develop over the course of the text. Describe the two reasons why Vivien Thomas operated on the hearts of dogs in Dr. Blalock ’ s research laboratory when he was preparing for the blue baby operations. Vivien and Dr. Blalock state this explicitly, so you will need to pay attention . 1 . It allowed them to gain a better understanding of the surgical techniques and procedures involved in treating heart conditions. By performing surgeries on dogs, they could refine their skills and develop new approaches before attempting the groundbreaking blue baby operations on human patients . 1 . Operating on dogs provided an opportunity to experiment and test the effectiveness of various surgical interventions. It allowed them to observe the physiological responses of the dogs hearts to different procedures, assess the outcomes, and make necessary adjustments to improve their techniques. This experimentation helped Vivien Thomas and Dr. Blalock refine their surgical methods and increase the likelihood of success when they eventually performed the blue baby operations on infants . · Describe why was the surgery was called the “blue baby operation.”

page 2 · What would cause a baby to turn blue? · Summarize what Vivien and Dr. Blalock would do to the heart to increase the oxygen flow · No need for medical terms, just your best explanation. The surgery was called the "blue baby operation" because it aimed to correct a condition known as "blue baby syn - drome" or heart disease. Babies with this condition have a reduced oxygen supply in their bloodstream, resulting in a bluish discoloration of their skin, lips, and nails. Vivien and Dr. Blalock aimed to increase the oxygen flow in these babies hearts through a surgical procedure. They would create a connection, known as a shunt, between an artery that carries oxygen rich blood and an artery that carries oxygen-poor blood. This shunt would bypass the problematic area of the heart, allowing more oxygen rich blood to reach the body. By increasing the oxygen supply, the baby's bluish color would improve, and their overall health would be enhanced. ·

page 4 Dr. Blalock recognized Thomas's talent, and they began working together. Together, they conducted research on the treatment of "blue baby syndrome" (cyanotic congenital heart disease) and pioneered groundbreaking surgical tech - niques. While Dr. Blalock valued Thomas's contributions and recognized his skills, it is worth noting that the racial seg - regation and discrimination prevalent during that time impacted their working relationship. Thomas faced significant challenges and inequalities in the field of medicine due to racial prejudice. Despite these obstacles, Dr. Blalock did sup - port Thomas in various ways: 1. Collaboration: Dr. Blalock actively collaborated with Thomas on research projects and surgical procedures. They worked side by side in the laboratory and operating room, with Thomas playing a crucial role in developing and refining surgical techniques. 2. Acknowledgment of expertise: Dr. Blalock acknowledged Thomas's exceptional surgical skills and expertise. He rec - ognized Thomas's contributions to the field and often sought his input and advice during surgeries and research. 3. Authorship and recognition: Dr. Blalock ensured that Thomas received co-authorship credit for their joint publica - tions. This recognition was significant, considering the racial biases prevalent at the time, which often marginalized African American scientists. While Dr. Blalock's support for Vivien Thomas was significant within the historical context, it is essential to acknowl - edge that Thomas faced discrimination and did not receive the same recognition and opportunities as Blalock. It was only later, with increasing awareness and recognition of Thomas's contributions, that his important role in the develop - ment of cardiovascular surgery began to be more widely acknowledged. · Why do you think Vivien Thomas caused such a controversy when he went out of the lab in his white lab coat ? What did that lab coat symbolize to Vivien and to others at the hospital ? · Your response may be related to race and the time period but dig deeper to show how other factors are at play. · Consider the doctors’ opinions about themselves and how that impacts the way the doctors treat other people, not just Vivien. Vivien Thomas caused a controversy when he went out of the lab in his white lab coat due to several intertwined factors, including race, societal norms, and professional hierarchies prevalent during that time period. The lab coat symbolized professionalism, expertise, and authority within the medical community. However, for Vivien, who was an African American in the 1940s, wearing the lab coat challenged the established racial hierarchy and social expectations. To understand the controversy, it is important to consider the doctors' opinions about themselves and their attitudes to - wards others. In the racially segregated society of that era, many doctors held deeply ingrained racist beliefs, viewing themselves as superior to individuals of other races. This perspective influenced their treatment of both Vivien and other people of color, often relegating them to subordinate roles or denying them recognition for their contributions. By wearing the lab coat, Vivien challenged the racial stereotypes and expectations placed upon him. This act embodied his desire to be recognized as an equal and to have his expertise acknowledged. For Vivien, the lab coat symbolized not only his professional competence but also his quest for dignity, respect, and the opportunity to contribute to medical ad - vancements on an equal footing. To others at the hospital, Vivien's wearing of the lab coat likely disrupted the established power dynamics within the medical community. It challenged the notion that authority and expertise were solely the domain of white doctors. This threatened the doctors' self-perception and their privileged position within the hospital hierarchy, causing discomfort and

page 5 resistance. · It is said that Vivien Thomas opened new paths to healing when most doors were closed to him. What is meant by that? How are the “ paths ” and “ doors ” a metaphor ? · Consider this: Healing can occur in more than one way; it can occur mentally, physically, in a single person, in groups of people, in society as a whole or a single person’s belief system. When it is said that Vivien opened new paths to healing when most doors were closed to him, it is a metaphorical way of describing how he made significant strides despite facing obstacles and barriers. The ‘’paths’’ refer to innovative ap - proaches or methods to promote healing, while the ‘’doors’’ represent the established systems or institutions that had limited opportunities for individuals like Vivien. By opening new paths, he found alternative ways to heal and contribute to the field, challenging the existing norms and expanding possibilities for healing in various aspects, such as physically, mentally, on an individual or societal level. · A Study in Conflict Person What he or she wants What gets in the way A Study of Themes Standard · RI2 : Determine two or more central ideas of a text and analyze their development over the course of the text, including how they interact and build on one another to provide a complex analysis ; provide an objective summary of the text. Teamwork Dr. Blalock and Mr. Thomas were a team. What would have happened if either of them had not pulled his weight in the team effort ? · What far-reaching effect, even on the future, would there have been? o Your answer should be extensive and go beyond the surface. If either Dr. Blalock or Vivien had not pulled their weight in their team effort, the consequences would have been signif - icant and far-reaching. if either Dr. Blalock or Vivien had failed to pull their weight in their team effort, it would have resulted in delayed advancements in surgical techniques, missed opportunities for medical innovation, limited access to lifesaving surgeries, hindered progress in representation and equality, and compromised medical education and training. Their collaborative efforts not only impacted their immediate work but also shaped the future of medicine, making their partnership and contributions crucial for the progress of healthcare. Trust When Vivien showed Dr. Blalock the new respirator, Dr. Blalock said, “ I knew I could count on you. You ’ re the only one I can trust around here. I suspect others relish the thought of seeing me fail ” · How does this express the most basic aspect of their relationship?

page 7 Taking a Stand Why do you think Dr. Blalock does not fight further for Vivien when they first come to Johns Hopkins ? · Part of your answer should not focus on race, but other aspects…time period, setting, each individual character…anything you can think of. Dr. Blalock's decision not to advocate further for Vivien Thomas at Johns Hopkins can be attributed to a combination of factors, including the prevailing racial biases of the time, institutional constraints, professional hierarchies, and personal risk assessment. These factors influenced Dr. Blalock's actions and priorities, leading him to prioritize their immediate work and collaboration over openly challenging the systemic discrimination they faced. · Why do you believe Dr. Blalock defied tradition and hospital policy by paging Vivien during the baby ’ s surgery and insisting that he be present to talk him through the surgery ? · Do not explain that it’s about trust or that Dr. Blalock needed his help; dig deeper for the explanation . Dr. Blalock defied tradition and hospital policy by paging Vivien during the baby's surgery and insisting that he be present to talk him through the procedure because he recognized and valued Vivien's expertise and contributions. De - spite the prevailing racial biases of the time, Dr. Blalock understood that Vivien possessed unique knowledge and skills that were essential to the success of the operation. By involving Vivien in such a critical moment, Dr. Blalock chal - lenged the established hierarchy and norms, prioritizing the best interests of the patient and the advancement of surgical techniques over institutional policies. This act demonstrated Dr. Blalock's commitment to innovation, collaboration, and recognizing the expertise of individuals regardless of their background, while also highlighting his willingness to chal - lenge the status quo for the sake of better patient outcomes. After Dr. Blalock and Dr. Taussig took full credit for the operation and didn ’ t give Vivien any credit, the character of Vivien Thomas in the movie says to Blalock, “ I’ m invisible to the world. I don ’ t mind that. I understand that. I thought it was different in here ” · What did he mean ? · Why is he treated differently in each place? · Explain in great detail the two places Vivien refers to the outside world and the medical environment. · Consider more than race. Consider his intelligence, his skills, his dedication, his respect or anything else you can include.

page 8 Vivien Thomas expresses disappointment with the differential treatment he receives in the outside world and the medi - cal environment. In the outside world, his contributions and talents go unrecognized due to racial discrimination. Within the medical field, professional hierarchies and a lack of understanding of his role contribute to his feeling of invisibility and unappreciation.