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Helen B. Taussig

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Doctor

The Resume

    (May 24, 1898-May 20, 1986)
    Born in Cambridge, Massachusetts
    Pediatric cardiologist
    Co-developer of the Blalock-Taussig shunt to treat the tetralogy of Fallot (aka 'blue baby syndrome')
    Received the Albert Lasker Award for Clinical Medical Research (1954)
    Received the Presidential Medal of Freedom (1964)
    Died in a car accident four days before her 88th birthday

Why she might be annoying:

    She went into pediatrics because it was the only field she find an internship in.
    The first child to receive a Blalock-Taussig shunt died after only nine months.
    She said, 'It hurt when Dr. Blalock was elected to the National Academy of Arts and Sciences and I didn't even get promoted from assistant to associate professor.'

Why she might not be annoying:

    She overcame severe dyslexia.
    She became increasingly hard of hearing and had to use her fingers in place of a stethoscope to feel her patients' heartbeats.
    The Blalock-Taussig shunt saved the lives of tens of thousands of infants.
    After a former student told her about unusual birth defects in Germany, she travelled to Europe at her own expense to investigate, concluded that the drug thalidomide was responsible, and testified before Congress, resulting in a ban on the drug.
    Cardiologist Denton A. Cooley said, 'Despite her brilliance and prominence, she never lost her simplicity, kindness or compassion.'

Credit: C. Fishel


Featured in the following Annoying Collections:

Year In Review:

    For 2024, as of last weekly ranking, Out of 1 Votes: 0% Annoying
    In 2023, Out of 3 Votes: 66.67% Annoying
    In 2022, Out of 6 Votes: 16.67% Annoying
    In 2021, Out of 7 Votes: 57.14% Annoying
    In 2020, Out of 2 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2019, Out of 2 Votes: 0% Annoying
    In 2018, Out of 6 Votes: 33.33% Annoying
    In 2017, Out of 3 Votes: 33.33% Annoying
    In 2016, Out of 3 Votes: 66.67% Annoying
    In 2015, Out of 10 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2014, Out of 9 Votes: 55.56% Annoying
    In 2013, Out of 25 Votes: 56.00% Annoying