Watkins, Dr. Levi
By
John C Abercrombie
Dr. Levi Watkins is a great cardiac surgeon whose work has improved the life of millions of persons. In addition, he has made outstanding improvements in the entire medical spectrum of patient treatment.
Levi Watkins, Jr. was born June 13, 1944 to Levi and Lillian Vernado Watkins, Sr. in Parsons Kansas. The family moved to Montgomery, Alabama where his father served as the 6th president of Alabama State College, serving from 1962 to 1983.
Alabama State College, now Alabama State University is an HBCU (Historically Black College and University). The school has a long and distinguished history. In 1874, it became the first state-supported educational institution for Blacks in America and started ASU’s history as a “Teachers’ College.”
Historically Black Colleges and Universities were formed because White institutions traditionally refused admittance to Black students. More will be written on this subject in the future.
Dr. Levi Watkins, Sr. served as the 6th president of Alabama State College and his mother worked as a high school teacher.
Levi Watkins, Jr. was baptized by Ralph David Abernathy, a Christian minister and civil rights activist. Abernathy was a close friend and mentor of Martin Luther King, Jr.
Levi, Jr. distinguished himself in school, graduating valedictorian of his class at Alabama State Laboratory High School. He then attended Tennessee State University another HBCU and while there he was motivated by a Biology professor to seek a degree in medicine.
Following graduation from Tennessee State University, he applied to the University of Alabama School of Medicine before being rejected. He applied to the Vanderbilt University of Medicine and became the first Black admitted.
During the time Watkins attended Vanderbilt, he was the only Black admitted to the school.
It is interesting that the history of Racism at Vanderbilt can be seen in the story of Vivien T Thomas who performed great work and wished to remain at Vanderbilt after the doctor under whom he worked left but was told that he would be fired because of his race. See http://amazingblackhistory.com/2019/02/10/vivien-t-thomas-grandson-of-a-slave-is-now-called-doctor/
Watkins began his medical residency at Johns Hopkins Hospital in 1971 and while there became the first Chief Resident of Cardiac Surgery at the university.
Watkins left Johns Hopkins to research the use of angiotensin blockers in cases of congestive heart failure, from 1973 to 1975. That work was done at Harvard University. Angiotensin blockers were created to avoid the effects of ACE inhibitors. ACE inhibitors were the drug of choice for lowering blood pressure and treating congestive heart failure. Watkins research has contributed greatly to the safety and efficiency of the drug. The result of this research is that the drug is still being used in patients that cannot tolerate ACE inhibitors to treat congestive heart failure.
After the research at Harvard, Watkins returned to Johns Hopkins and joined the admissions department and worked on the defibrillator, which he improved while at Johns Hopkins. He also enhanced techniques for open heart surgery, many of which are still used today.
Dr. Levi Watkins and Vivien Thomas, an extremely skilled surgeon was the first to successfully implant an automatic defibrillator in a human patient at Johns Hopkins. There is a link in this post on the highly skilled surgeon Vivien Thomas who worked on Blue Baby Syndrome with the famed Doctors Blalock and Taussig.
Today, millions of patients owe a great deal of gratitude for the work of Watkins and Thomas for their work on this device which detects irregular heartbeats and corrects them.
On February 4, 1980, he and Vivien Thomas were the first to successfully implant an automatic defibrillator in a human patient at Johns Hopkins University. This took place only a mere seven months after Watkins completed his surgical education at Johns Hopkins. Today, millions of patients everywhere use this device, which detects irregular heartbeats and corrects them
Watkins was named professor of cardiac surgery in 1991 and at the same time held the post of Associate Dean of the School of Medicine until he retired in 2013.
The medical work and contributions to medicine attributed to Dr. Watkins are outstanding, but his contributions go well beyond what we have seen. These contributions are in the area of Civil Rights but have contributed to all people. Civil Rights is much more than a numbers game. In some cases, it results in service to underserved or in none served communities. The videos reveal much of this, so please check out the videos, books and value offers that follow these posts.
Watkins became interested in civil rights when he met Martin Luther King, Jr. who served as the family’s pastor. Young Watkins spend the rest of his life working for the opportunities of Blacks, and other underrepresented groups.
In all too many cases, Blacks and other minority group members have been denied treatment even during emergencies. It used to be that there were separate hospitals and if an emergency patient were taken to the wrong hospital, they were denied treatment. Many were sent to hospitals that were not staffed or resourced to handle the emergency and, in some cases, patients died because of segregationist policies.
As a member of the admissions board at Johns Hopkins he improved conditions so much that between 1978 and 1983, the school’s Black population expanded by 5 students. While this seems like a low number, it is a dramatic improvement over 0.
To gain a fuller appreciation of Dr. Watkins life and contributions, be sure to explore the many videos, books and value items that follow this post.
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Levi Watkins Jr.
(June 13, 1944 – April 11, 2015) was an American heart surgeon and civil rights activist. On February 4, 1980, he and Vivien Thomas were the first to successfully implant an automatic defibrillator in a human patient at Johns Hopkins University. This took place only a mere seven months after Watkins completed his surgical education at Johns Hopkins. Today, millions of patients everywhere use this device, which detects irregular heartbeats and corrects them. Celebrating the Life and Legacy of Dr. Levi Watkins Jr ** Levi Watkins Jr., a pioneer in both cardiac surgery and civil rights, was best known for implanting the first automatic heart defibrillator in a patient, recruiting minority students to the school of medicine and founding the annual Johns Hopkins Martin Luther King Jr.
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The Heart of the Matter:
Essential Advice for a Healthy Heart from Renowned Surgeons and Cardiologists This seminal work on heart disease in the African American community is updated with the latest information on nutrition and dietary guidelines, heart surgery, and medication in this revised edition. As important today as it was when originally published five years ago, this informative guide provides African Americans with the most cutting-edge information on cardiovascular disease, blood lipids, and strokes, the most current and successful medications and therapies on the market, and recent developments in understanding the role that spirituality plays in recovery. Preventative techniques that address the social and cultural dynamics that affect the health of African Americans are discussed, and more than 50 heart-healthy soul food recipes are included to ensure that African Americans get–and stay–on the healthy track. ** Beauty and Grooming Gift Sets There are many occasions where Gift Sets are appropriate, start your search using our Amazon affiliate link
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Dr. Levi Watkins, Jr. (1945-2015) – Breaking Down Walls in Medicine 2:45
In this short bonus clip from the feature length documentary, Partners of the Heart, renowned medical innovator and champion for civil rights, Levi Watkins, Jr., M.D. (1945-2015), discusses breaking down the walls of racial inequality at Johns Hopkins and the
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The Spirit of a Place Called Meharry:
The Strength of Its Past to Shape the Future Meharry Medical College is the nation’s largest private predominantly black institution for the education of health professionals. Almost half of the nation’s currently practicing black physicians and dentists are Meharry graduates. Today, many of Meharry Medical College’s graduates work in rural areas and inner cities, fulfilling some of the greatest health needs of the United States. The Spirit of a Place Called Meharry tells of the early years of Nashville’s famous medical school and of some of its distinguished professors and students. It recounts stories of the challenges Meharry faced in getting professional recognition from the medical community at large. Of particular interest is Dr. Johnson’s story of his own successful fight to establish and fund the acclaimed Sickle Cell program
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Dr. Selwyn Vickers honors Dr. Levi Watkins
Selwyn Vickers, who in 2013 became the first African-American senior vice president and dean of the University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Medicine was mentored by Dr. Levi Watkins. In this video he discusses Dr. Watkins’ early contributions to diversity at Johns
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People to Know in Black History & Beyond:
Recognizing the Heroes and Sheroes Who Make the Grade People to Know in Black History & Beyond includes the legacies of MORE THAN 350 Heroes and Sheroes who Make the Grade by being notable contributors to our History, comprising: Educators, Civil Rights Leaders, Religious Leaders, Famous Parents, Business Leaders, Inventors and Scientists, Athletes, Actors and Actresses, Professional Dancers, Singers and Musicians, Authors, Publishers, Media and Public Relations People, Politicians, Lawyers, and Military Notables. There are so many people whose shoulders we stand on, who have sacrificed and aspired to greatness. By understanding the mission of these Heroes and Sheroes, I hope that you will become encouraged to follow their example by living your life with purpose, building your own legacy and becoming a leader of future generations
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Juneteenth 2010 – Levi Watkins Jr., MD
This video was awarded to Dr Watkins during a Juneteenth celebration. But what is that funny word Juneteenth? It represents June 19, 1865 a day of celebration primarily in the Black community. It originated after President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation which freed slaves in the states that were at war with the Union. That news of freedom did not make it to Texas until June 19, 1865, thus Juneteenth! Dr. Watkins is a man of deep faith and he speaks with conviction of the guidance he received in his work.
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Black Man in a White Coat (A Doctor’s Reflections on Race and Medicine)
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One doctor’s passionate and profound memoir of his experience grappling with race, bias, and the unique health problems of black Americans When Damon Tweedy begins medical school, he envisions a bright future where his segregated, working-class background will become largely irrelevant. Instead, he finds that he has joined a new world where race is front and center. The recipient of a scholarship designed to increase black student enrollment, Tweedy soon meets a professor who bluntly questions whether he belongs in medical school, a moment that crystallizes the challenges he will face throughout his career. Making matters worse, in lecture after lecture the common refrain for numerous diseases resounds, “More common in blacks than in whites.”
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Memorial service celebrating the life of Dr. Levi Watkins Jr. Vanderbilt University
Watch video of the memorial service celebrating the life of Levi Watkins Jr., M.D., which was held Thursday, April 30, 2015, at 11 a.m. at Vanderbilt’s Benton Chapel. Dr. Watkins died April 11, 2015.
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Passion and Purpose is a complete collection of all 75 beautiful stories created to inspire women everywhere to believe in the power of their dreams. These phenomenal women have experienced heartache and challenges along their paths that only served to make them more determined to accomplish their goals. You will laugh, cry, cheer them on, and find courage to reach your dreams whatever obstacles you face. It is a truly inspiring read! Even though their stories are about becoming surgeons, they will inspire every young woman to believe they can accomplish anything they set their hearts and minds to achieve. Dr. Praise Matemavi created this outstanding book to inspire young adults everywhere and intends to use proceeds from this book to fund scholarships for up-and-coming women in the medical field.
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Levi’s Legacy:
Robert Higgins, Edward Cornwell III Q&A Robert S.D. Higgins, surgeon-in-chief at The Johns Hopkins Hospital, and Edward E. Cornwell, III, surgeon-in-chief at Howard University Hospital, discuss the legacy of Levi Watkins Jr., a pioneer in cardiac surgery, and the growth of minorities in surgical medicine.
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Dr Levi Watkins and Vivien Thomas were the first to implant a defibrillator in a human. This grand achievement is in use today, saving countless lives. We all probably know someone taking advantage of this discovery. We often thin that the people we read and learn about in these posts are unique and possess something that we don’t have, but that is not true. We are seeing the stories of people just like us that find a passion and pursue it. The shame of it is that we don’t know these stories and thereby lose the inspiration that they give to us. All are capable of the joys of success. You must believe in yourself!