b) Daniel Hale Williams

Daniel Hale Williams, an African American surgeon, is credited with developing the first successful open-heart surgery technique. In 1893, Williams performed the groundbreaking procedure at Provident Hospital in Chicago, one of the few hospitals that treated African Americans at the time. His patient, James Cornish, had suffered a stab wound to the chest, and Williams successfully repaired the lining of his heart. This achievement was remarkable, especially considering the limited medical technology of the era. Williams’ success in open-heart surgery marked a significant milestone in medical history and paved the way for future advancements in cardiac surgery.