On this
date, 4 July 1991, Chinese Australian cardiac surgeon and a pioneer of modern
heart transplantation, Dr. Victor Chang was murdered by two Malaysian men.
 |
Dr. Victor Chang |
Victor Peter Chang, AC (born Chang
Yam Him; 21 November 1936 – 4 July 1991), was a Chinese Australian cardiac
surgeon and a pioneer of modern heart transplantation. Born in Shanghai to
Australian-born Chinese parents, he grew up in Hong Kong before moving to
Australia. After completing his medical studies at the University of Sydney and
working in St Vincent's Hospital, he trained in England and the United States
as a surgeon before returning to Australia. In St Vincent's Hospital, he helped
establish the National Cardiac Transplant Unit, the country's leading centre
for heart and lung transplants. Chang's team had a high success rate in
performing heart transplantations and he pioneered the development of an
artificial heart valve.
In 1986, he
was appointed a Companion of the Order of Australia for his "service to
international relations between Australia and China and to medical
science". In 1991, Chang died after being shot in a failed extortion
attempt against him. His legacy includes the creation of the Victor
Chang Cardiac Research Institute, being voted Australian of the
Century at the People's Choice Awards, and the establishment of the Victor
Chang Lowy Packer Building in St Vincent's Hospital.
No comments:
Post a Comment