In April 1947, the SS Grandcamp, a freight ship loaded with ammonium nitrate, exploded in Texas City, causing the worst industrial disaster in U.S. history. The blast killed over 600 people and injured thousands, overwhelming local medical facilities. Due to its proximity, the University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB) became a critical center for treating the wounded.
Recognizing the urgent need for specialized burn care, Dr. Truman G. Blocker, a visionary surgeon and researcher, spearheaded the transformation of UTMB’s Department of Surgery into a multidisciplinary burns program. His efforts united researchers, educators, and clinicians to enhance treatment protocols and prepare for future mass casualty events.
Dr. Blocker’s leadership extended beyond UTMB. He played a key role in persuading Shriners Hospitals for Children to establish the world’s first dedicated pediatric burn hospital in Galveston, providing specialized care for children with burn injuries.
His legacy lives on through the Truman G. Blocker Burn Unit at UTMB, which is widely recognized as a premier center for burn treatment, research, and education. His work not only shaped modern burn care but also set the foundation for future disaster preparedness, making a lasting impact on medicine and public health.