Victor Chang facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Victor Chang
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Chang in 1987
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| Born |
Chang Yam Him
21 November 1936 Shanghai, China
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| Died | 4 July 1991 (aged 54) Sydney, Australia
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| Education | University of Sydney |
| Years active | 1960–1991 |
| Known for | Pioneer of heart transplantation |
| Medical career | |
| Profession | Heart surgeon |
| Institutions | St Vincent's Hospital |
| Sub-specialties | Cardiothoracic surgery Heart transplant |
| Research | Development of an artificial heart valve with the formation of Pacific Biomedical Enterprises in Singapore. |
| Awards | Companion of the Order of Australia |
Victor Peter Chang (born Chang Yam Him; 21 November 1936 – 4 July 1991) was a brilliant heart surgeon. He was born in China and became an Australian citizen. Dr. Chang was a pioneer in modern heart transplant surgery in Australia.
He studied medicine at the University of Sydney. Then he trained as a surgeon in the United Kingdom and the United States. When he returned to Australia, he worked at St Vincent's Hospital. There, he helped create the National Cardiac Transplant Unit. This unit became a top center for heart and lung transplants. Dr. Chang's team was very successful with heart transplants. He also helped develop an artificial heart valve. In 1986, he received a special award, the Companion of the Order of Australia. This was for his work in medicine and for helping Australia and China connect.
Sadly, Dr. Chang passed away in 1991. His death deeply saddened Australia. He was honored with a state funeral. In 1999, people voted him "Australian of the Century."
His amazing work continues today through the Victor Chang Foundation. After his passing, the Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute was also created. A building at St Vincent's Hospital is named the Dr. Victor Chang Lowy Packer Building in his honor.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Victor Chang was born in Shanghai, China, in 1936. His parents were Aubrey Chang and May Lee. Due to war, his family moved several times. They lived in Hong Kong and Rangoon, Burma. Eventually, they settled in Chongqing, China.
After World War II, his family returned to Hong Kong. Victor went to primary school there. When he was 12 years old, his mother passed away from breast cancer. This sad event made him want to become a doctor. He wanted to help others.
In 1951, Victor's father sent him and his sister to Australia. They lived with relatives. Victor went to Belmore Boys' High School. Later, he attended Christian Brothers' High School.
He then went to the University of Sydney. In 1962, he earned two degrees in medicine. He graduated with top honors.
Dr. Victor Chang's Medical Career
Becoming a Heart Surgeon
After finishing medical school, Dr. Chang worked at St Vincent's Hospital. His mentor, Dr. Mark Shanahan, encouraged him to train in London. There, he specialized in cardiothoracic surgery. This is surgery on the heart and chest. In London, he also met his future wife, Ann.
Dr. Chang then spent two years training in the United States at the Mayo Clinic. He became a chief resident, which is a senior doctor in training. In 1972, he returned to St Vincent's Hospital in Sydney. He became a top heart and chest surgeon there.
Pioneering Heart Transplants
At St. Vincent's Hospital, Dr. Chang joined a team that included Dr. Harry Windsor. Dr. Windsor had performed Australia's first heart transplant. In the 1980s, new medicines made heart transplants much safer. These medicines helped stop the body from rejecting a new organ.
Dr. Chang worked hard to raise money for a heart transplant program. On April 8, 1984, his team performed a heart transplant on 14-year-old Fiona Coote. She became Australia's youngest heart transplant patient.
Between 1984 and 1990, Dr. Chang's team performed nearly 200 heart transplants. They also did 14 heart-lung transplants. Their success rate was very high. About 90% of their patients lived for more than a year after their transplant.
In 1986, Dr. Chang received a special award. He was named a Companion of the Order of Australia. This award recognized his important work in medicine. It also honored his efforts to build good relationships between Australia and China.
Dr. Chang was also worried about the shortage of organ donors. So, he gathered a team of experts. They worked to develop an artificial heart and affordable heart valves. These new valves, called St. Vincent's Heart Valves, were used widely in Asia.
Remembering Dr. Victor Chang
On July 4, 1991, Dr. Chang tragically passed away in Sydney. His passing deeply saddened the entire country.
Dr. Chang was honored with a special state funeral. His ashes were placed under a memorial plaque in Green Park, near St Vincent's Hospital. The Dr. Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute website describes his death as a "tragic circumstance."
In April 2012, Australia Post released a special postcard and postage stamp. They featured a portrait of Dr. Chang to remember his contributions.
Dr. Victor Chang's Lasting Legacy
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In 1984, Dr. Chang started the "VICTOR CHANG FOUNDATION." This foundation provides money for education and new ideas in heart surgery. His daughter, Vanessa Chang, leads the foundation today.
On February 15, 1994, the Dr. Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute opened. Its goal is to research heart diseases. It aims to find ways to prevent, diagnose, and treat them. The Dr. Victor Chang Science Labs at Christian Brothers' High School are also named after him.
In 1999, Australia's Prime Minister, John Howard, announced Dr. Chang as "Australian of the Century." This was a huge honor, chosen by the public.
At St Vincent's Hospital, the Dr. Victor Chang Lowy Packer Building opened in 2008. It was built with generous donations. Princess Mary of Denmark officially opened the building. She said Dr. Chang was an "original thinker." She also noted his "legendary caring for his patients and their families." Time magazine also recognized Dr. Chang. They listed him as an important figure for the years 1979–1989 in their "A Golden Anniversary" article.
In 2017, a Sydney Ferries boat was named Victor Chang. A minor planet, 24450, was also named after him. On November 21, 2023, Google celebrated his 87th birthday with a special Google Doodle.
Personal Life
Victor Chang met his wife, Ann Simmons, in 1966. They met when Ann needed medical help at a hospital where Victor was working. They had three children: Vanessa, Matthew, and Marcus.
His children shared that Dr. Chang loved driving cars. It was his hobby and a way for him to relax. He even restored an old 1950s MG TF car. He also enjoyed driving other fast cars.
Dr. Chang had two younger siblings, Frances and Anthony. He was known for his great compassion. Even though he wasn't religious, he would often ask a hospital nun to pray for his patients.
