Patricia Meisol "A Heart Afire: Helen Brooke Taussig's Battle Against Heart Defects, Unsafe Drugs and Injustice In Medicine"

Patricia Meisol explores the life and legacy of Dr Helen Taussig, the pioneering mother of paediatric cardiology:

• How Helen Taussig exposed the dangers of thalidomide, helping to spark new U.S. drug safety legislation in the 1960s.


• Helen Taussig’s determination in overcoming personal challenges, including dyslexia and progressive hearing loss, to become a world leader in medicine.


• Patricia reflects on her decade-long research journey, including interviews with Taussig’s former students and colleagues, to bring authenticity and depth to the narrative.


• Patricia examines how Helen Meisol translated complex cardiology and medical science into an accessible and emotionally resonant biography.


• The sexism Helen Taussig faced in medicine, and how she fought for recognition and paved the way for future women doctors.


• Highlights Helen Taussig’s lifelong advocacy for patient rights, drug safety, and compassionate care—making her a model for medicine and justice today.