Dr. Alfred Blalock was the first person to successfully perform heart surgery on an infant. In the late 1940s, he pioneered the procedure known as the Blalock-Taussig shunt, which provided a surgical solution for infants suffering from cyanotic congenital heart defects. This groundbreaking operation allowed surgeons to divert blood flow to the lungs, significantly improving survival rates for those affected by this condition. Blalock's work represented a monumental advancement in pediatric cardiology, changing the landscape of cardiac surgery for children. His contributions have saved countless lives and laid the foundation for future innovations in heart surgery.