Alfred Blalock was an American surgeon born on February 5, 1899, in Atlanta, Georgia. He is best known for his pioneering work in cardiac surgery, particularly for developing the Blalock-Taussig shunt, a surgical procedure that helps improve blood flow in children with congenital heart defects. His innovations significantly advanced the field of pediatric cardiology. Blalock served as the chief of surgery at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, Maryland, where he collaborated with Vivien Thomas, a skilled surgical technician. Together, they conducted groundbreaking research that laid the foundation for modern heart surgery, saving countless lives and transforming surgical practices.