The man who invented the operation that saves babies born with blue-baby syndrome had no medical degree, no college degree, and was listed on the payroll as a JANITOR.
He guided the first operation from a stool behind the surgeon's shoulder, telling him where to cut.
Vivien Thomas. He had been saving to study medicine when the 1929 crash wiped out his savings and the bank holding them.
He took a job as a lab assistant at Vanderbilt for a janitor's wage, because that was the classification available.
Within a couple of years he was running experimental surgery — developing techniques, performing operations on his own, training surgeons.
He moved to Johns Hopkins with Alfred Blalock in 1941, where he was still paid as a janitor and had to enter through a back door.
He was the only Black man in that building not carrying a mop.
He worked out the surgical fix for tetralogy of Fallot — the condition killing infants who turned blue and died — and built the instruments for it.
The first operation on a child was in 1944. Blalock, who had never done the procedure, asked Thomas to stand behind him and talk him through it.
The surgeons on the paper became world famous. Thomas was not credited.
Hopkins hung his portrait in 1971 and gave him an honorary doctorate in 1976. Generations of surgeons he personally trained insisted on it.
He was paid as a cleaner while inventing heart surgery.
Vladimir Putin couldn't deliver a speech at the UN General Assembly due to ICC arrest warrant, but Benjamin Netanyahu can deliver his speech at the UN even with ICC arrest warrant! How much Zionist lobby have control over the UN and US.
This world has completely lost its meaning
Saying "we can agree to disagree" is for things like "Apple juice vs. Orange juice” NOT for things like racism, homophobia & basic human rights 😭 Tf be wrong with yall
That statement from Macklemore on Instagram might genuinely be one of the best and most sincere statements I’ve ever seen from an artist on Palestine.
THIS IS HOW YOU DO IT! 10/10
Omukama Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV is laid to rest today. He lived a short life of 34 years, but, he carried a great responsibility and left behind a legacy that will endure beyond his reign.
I have picked out some of the key reflections from His Majesty's (Kabaka Ronald Muwenda Mutebi II) message.
1. “With courage and grace, he carried the weight of kingship through circumstances that were often challenging and formidable.”
2. “Despite the difficulties that surrounded him, and the demands placed upon him at a young age, he bore his responsibilities with regal poise and dignity.”
3. “In challenging times and demanding circumstances, he remained steadfast in his commitment to his people and faithful to the responsibilities of his station.”
4. “He grew into an internationally respected monarch whose presence commanded respect, whose humility won admiration, and whose dedication to Toro left an enduring mark on his Kingdom and our nation.”
5. “Omukama Oyo’s reign inspired generations of young Ugandans to appreciate the enduring value of culture, heritage and service.”
6. “He demonstrated that traditional institutions continue to play an important role in nurturing identity, strengthening unity in diversity and preserving our shared heritage.”
7. “His passing therefore represents not only a profound loss to Tooro, but also to the entire fraternity of Uganda’s traditional institutions.”
8. “Together with the entire Royal Family, they now bear a burden of grief that is shared by all who knew and loved Omukama Oyo.”
9. “As we mourn, I urge the sons and daughters of Toro to remain united in purpose, calm in spirit and steadfast in faith.”
10. “Let this moment of sorrow not divide, but rather strengthen, the bonds that unite the Kingdom.”
11. “Let all who loved Omukama Oyo honour his memory through fortitude, dignity and a continued commitment to the peace, stability and prosperity of Toro.”
12. “We stand with you in mourning. We pray with you in grief, and we shall continue to stand beside you as brothers and sisters during this time of bereavement.”
13. “May the Almighty, whose peace passes all understanding, grant eternal rest to the soul of His Majesty Omukama Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru IV, comfort his family, and strengthen the Kingdom of Tooro.”
Indeed, King Oyo has left a deep wound in all our hearts. We grew up with him, regardless of our tribes, we knew him as our Generational King and just like Princess Ruth Konuntale said “He’s left generations that knew him as their king”
Rest in Peace Amooti. 🕊️
The body of His Majesty Rukirabasaija Omukama Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV, the Omukama of Tooro, leaves Karuzika Palace for the very last time, as he begins his final journey to the royal burial grounds.
Today, the people of Tooro bid a final farewell to their beloved King, whose reign began at just three years of age and spanned more than three decades.
May his soul rest in eternal peace.
#TooroMourns #RIPKingOyo #KingOyo #OmukamaOyo #TooroKingdom #FortPortal @observerug
In a deeply emotional moment, the Queen Mother, Princess Elizabeth Bagaya and Princess Ruth Komuntale, sister of the late King Oyo, attend Mass at St. John’s Cathedral in Fort Portal as they bid their final farewell to the fallen King. 🕊️
#UBCGMU