Alfred Blalock
Developed the Blalock-Taussig shunt with Helen Taussig and Vivien Thomas, a groundbreaking surgery for congenital heart defects.
Most quoted
"The surgeon who carries out an operation with the blood pressure falling, the pulse rising, and the patient getting into worse and worse condition, and who thinks that some miracle will happen to carry him through, is fooling himself."
— from Surgical Principles
"The development of the Blalock-Taussig shunt was a testament to the power of collaboration between a surgeon and a cardiologist, and the importance of taking calculated risks for the benefit of patients."
— from Reflecting on his work
"The only thing that stands between a man and what he wants in life is often merely the will to try it and the faith to believe that it is possible."
— from Anecdotal
All quotes by Alfred Blalock (383)
Never operate on a patient you wouldn't operate on your own family.
The most important quality in a surgeon is judgment.
Don't be afraid to fail. Failure is a part of learning.
The patient comes first, always.
Good surgery is an art, not just a science.
We must always be willing to challenge conventional wisdom.
The greatest discoveries often come from unexpected places.
Never stop learning. The field of medicine is constantly evolving.
We must treat the whole patient, not just the disease.
Compassion is as important as skill in medicine.
Medicine is a calling, not just a profession.
The operating room is a sacred place.
Every life is precious.
We must never lose hope, even in the face of adversity.
The greatest reward in medicine is seeing a patient recover.
Innovation requires courage and a willingness to take risks.
The history of medicine is a testament to human ingenuity.
Humility is a virtue in medicine.
The human spirit is remarkably resilient.
We must always strive to improve patient outcomes.
Contemporaries of Alfred Blalock
Other Medicines born within 50 years of Alfred Blalock (1899–1964).