Vivien Thomas Scholars Initiative at Johns Hopkins University
Dr. Vivien Thomas was a renowned scientist best known for his work to develop a new cardiac surgery technique at the Johns Hopkins Hospital in the 1940s. Despite never having the opportunity to enroll in medical school or earn an advanced degree, Dr. Thomas spent his career as a pioneering research and surgical assistant. In 1976 he was awarded an honorary doctorate by Johns Hopkins University and named instructor of surgery in the School of Medicine.
Today, the Vivien Thomas Scholar Initiative (VTSI) honors Dr. Thomas’ legacy by establishing and strengthening pathways so that students from a broad range of academic backgrounds can pursue and receive PhDs in STEM fields at Johns Hopkins. Since its founding in 2022 through a $150 million initiative backed by Bloomberg Philanthropies, the VTSI has welcomed 54 students from more than 40 institutions across the United States to into PhD programs in 21 different disciplines across four Hopkins divisions.