This unit will show students how acts of philanthropy were demonstrated in the field of medicine despite racial discrimination.  Vivien Thomas shared his time and talent to assist Dr. Alfred Blalock in pioneering a surgical clamp.  He worked in the era of segregation in the United States.  Hamilton Naki assisted Dr. Christian Barnard in heart transplantation in South Africa.  They worked within the system of apartheid.  These techniques would not have been implemented without Thomas and Naki.  Both men worked for unequal pay and without recognition, yet continued to work for the common good rather than personal gain.

Focus Questions:

1) How are people able to persevere and display courage in the face of racism, prejudice and discrimination?

2) What causes people to put the needs of society or humanity ahead of their own personal needs?

3) How does society benefit when all people are given equal opportunities to succeed academically and economically? 

Lesson One:

• Teacher can contact local hospitals/health agencies to investigate ways in which students can help in a healthy heart initiative.
• Teacher can contact the AHA for additional lesson plans and activities. www.americanheart.org/presenter and www.edu.cybergpg.com.
• Students can participate in a health walk/run to raise money for heart research.
• Students can participate in a "Jump for Health" activity. (See web site above.)

• Investigate a global community that does not respect the rights of minorities, contact Amnesty International to determine what can be done to petition the government of the country.
• Investigate anti-bullying and related diversity strategies with the result being the development of a plan for the school community.

Students will ask parents/guardians or relatives how they may have been impacted by the segregated practices of the past.

Students may also inquire about "heart disease"  in the family. Students may check for hereditary patterns.