Reclaim the Bench

Season 2 Update

An update for the long awaited season 2! There is no excuse for this one - except for our busy life in research and Jai (the person writing this description) simply forgetting to upload on time. In this mini episode Jamal and Megan will tell you how we are changing the structure of the show from here on out. Get ready to be informed!

Episode 7: His Hands Saved Our 'Blue Babies' - The Legacy of Dr Vivian Thomas

Come along with us as we explore the life of the amazing Dr Vivian Thomas; his humble beginnings and how his techniques are still being still being used in heart surgeries for Infant Methemoglobinemia (Blue Baby Syndrome)

Episode 6: The Freedom House Paramedics

In 1967, a group of 26 men from Pittsburgh’s struggling Hill District patrolled the streets in an unprecedented way. They were Black men with Afros and uniforms that read Freedom House Paramedics, trained in advanced pre-hospital medical procedures never seen before. The Freedom House story is both fascinating and tragic. This group was the first intensively trained paramedics in the country, and they were made up of individuals from a poor resource-deprived community. Sadly, their contributions have been largely forgotten. In this episode, we highlight the Freedom House Paramedics, a pioneering medical group that was the first of its kind.

Episode 5: Dr D The "Resilient" - The First Black Woman Surgeon in the South

Continuing on our theme of inspiring people, let us introduce you to Dr Dorothy Brown, the first black woman to become a surgeon in the deep south of the United States of America. Be inspired by her story of perseverance and listen to Megan and Jamal be dazzled in her resolve to never back down, no matter how they would try to oppress her.

The Erosion of Medical Consent - A Discussion with Harriet A. Washington

We had the unbelievable opportunity to have a chat with famous author and educator Harriet A. Washington about her upcoming book - Carte Blanche: The Erosion of Medical Consent