Dr. Daniel Hale Williams Performed the First Successful Open-Heart Surgery
Daniel Hale Williams wasn’t exactly an “inventor”, but his work opened the door to life-saving surgical practices. Doctor Hale was an African American physician and surgeon who lived from 1856 to 1931. He was one of the pioneers of modern heart surgery and was one of the first physicians to perform a successful open-heart surgery. Williams grew up during a time when African Americans faced significant barriers to opportunities in the medical profession. Despite these obstacles, he went on to earn a medical degree. In 1893, Williams performed one of the first successful open-heart surgeries in history. He successfully repaired a knife wound to the heart of a patient. This paved the way for the development of modern heart surgery. He also founded Provident Hospital and Training School in Chicago, one of the first African American-owned hospitals in the country.