Dr. Victor Chang, a famous Australian cardiac surgeon, was important in advancing heart transplantation to new heights. He was born in Australia to parents who were both Australian and Chinese. He lost his mother to cancer when he was quite young. This horrific event inspired him to pursue a career in medicine. He completed his education in Sydney, where he resided with some relatives. This great student worked hard to achieve his objective in medical science and ultimately earned a First-Class Honours in his ‘Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery’ degree. Because of his outstanding performance, he was offered an internship under the supervision of heart surgeon Mark Shanahan. He worked at ‘St. Vincent Hospital,’ where he collaborated with renowned heart surgeon Dr. Harry Windsor, who had performed Australia’s first heart transplant. These doctors had a significant impact on Chang and aided his advancement in the area of medicine. He constructed the artificial heart using his great expertise and thorough study, which helped to alleviate the shortage caused by the lack of organ donors. He is considered a forerunner in the field of contemporary cardiac transplantation. Continue reading to learn more about this well-known figure.
Childhood and Adolescence
He was born in Shanghai, China, on November 21, 1936, and reared in Hong Kong. His father was Aubrey Chang, and his parents were Chinese Australians. Frances and Anthony were his two siblings. He acquired his early schooling at a school in Kowloon Tong, as well as a brief stint at Hong Kong’s ‘St. Paul’s College.’
Following the loss of his mother, his father brought him and his sister to live with relatives in Sydney, Australia, in 1951. He attended ‘Belmore Boys’ High School’ in Belmore before transferring to Lewisham’s ‘Christian Brothers’ High School.’ In 1962, he enrolled at the ‘University of Sydney’ to complete his medical study, earning an MBBS (Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery) degree.
Career of Victor Chang
At the ‘St. Vincent Hospital,’ he completed an internship under the supervision of cardiologist Mark Shanahan. He eventually made his way to London, where he was trained by Dr Aubrey York Mason. This outstanding surgeon got a ‘Fellowship of the Royal College of Surgeons’ in 1966 and completed his cardiothoracic surgery training at the ‘Royal Brompton Hospital.’
Chang got his residency while working at the ‘Mayo Clinic’ in the United States. In 1972, he moved to Sydney and rejoined ‘St. Vincent Hospital,’ where he worked as a consultant cardiothoracic surgeon. He was awarded a Fellowship at the ‘Royal Australasian College of Surgeons’ the following year. He was named a ‘Fellow of the American College of Surgeons’ in 1975.
He worked with renowned heart surgeons Dr. Harry Windsor and Dr. Mark Shanahan at ‘St. Vincent Hospital’ during his time there. In 1980, he lobbied for the use of anti-rejection medications and worked to expand the ‘St. Vincent’ heart transplant program. In 1984, he led a team of doctors in the heart transplantation of Fiona Coote, a teenager. This patient was the youngest person ever to have a heart transplant in Australia’s medical history.
His efforts led in the formation of the ‘National Heart Transplant Unit’ at ‘St Vincent’s Hospital’ in the same year. He was also a driving force behind the formation of the ‘Australian Chinese Foundation,’ which funded South-East Asian medical causes and worked to improve the nations’ medical standards. This renowned cardiologist and his colleagues performed several successful heart transplant surgery between 1984 and 1990.
Major Projects of Victor Chang
To address the paucity of heart donors for transplant, this brilliant surgeon joined up with a team of scientists and engineers who worked tirelessly to develop an artificial heart. The team had people from all around the world, and they worked together to produce prosthetic heart valves known as ‘St. Vincent’s Heart Valves.’
Achievements & Awards
He was awarded the ‘Companion of the Order of Australia’ in 1986 for his commitment to the development of international ties between China and Australia, as well as his contributions to medical science.
The ‘University of New South Wales’ also honored this kind physician with an M.D. Honoris Causa for’scholarly accomplishment and humanitarian endeavor.’
Personal History and Legacy
He met Ann during his stay in London in the late 1960s, and the two married. Matthew, Marcus, and Vanessa, their two boys and daughter, were born to them. This honorable doctor died tragically on July 4, 1991, when he was shot following a disagreement with two individuals named Chew Seng Liew and Choon Tee Lim, who assaulted him in order to extort money.
The ‘Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute’ was established in 1994 by Australian Prime Minister John Howard. In honor of this great surgeon, the ‘Christian Brothers’ High School’ named a laboratory ‘Dr Victor Chang Science Labs.’ Chang was selected ‘Australian of the Century’ at the 1999 ‘People’s Choice Awards’ by then-Australian Prime Minister John Howard. The ‘Victor Chang Lowy Packer Building’ of the ‘St. Vincent Hospital’ was completed in 2008. Chang was chosen the person of the decade 1979-1989 in a ‘Time’ magazine story titled ‘A Golden Anniversary,’ which identified personalities who had shaped the last ’50 Years in the South Pacific.’
Estimated Net Worth
Victor is one of the wealthiest celebrities and one of the most well-known. Victor Chang’s net worth is estimated to be $1.5 million, according to Wikipedia, Forbes, and Business Insider.