HR 169 Summary

• Mourns the death of Dr. Levi Watkins, Jr., a renowned heart surgeon and civil rights activist who lived 70 years.

• Honors Dr. Watkins' medical achievements, including being the first surgeon to successfully implant an automatic heart defibrillator in a human patient and conducting groundbreaking research on angiotensin blockers for congestive heart failure treatment.

• Recognizes Dr. Watkins as a civil rights advocate who was the first black student to graduate from Vanderbilt University School of Medicine and the first black chief resident in cardiac surgery at Johns Hopkins University Hospital.

• Notes Dr. Watkins was nominated twice for the Nobel Peace Prize for his significant medical contributions and dedicated his career to inclusion, equity, and opportunity in medical education.

• Expresses gratitude for Dr. Watkins' inspiring legacy and extends heartfelt sympathy to his family and friends.