Victor peter chang biography channel

Victor Chang

Chinese-born Australian cardiac surgeon (–)

Victor Peter ChangAC (born Chang Yam Him; 21 November – 4 July ) was a Chinese-born Australian cardiac surgeon and a pioneer of modern heart transplantation in Australia.

His murder in stunned Australia and is considered one of the most notorious in the country's history.[1][2] Chang was given a state funeral, and in he was voted Australian of the Century at the People's Choice Awards.[3][4][5]

After completing his medical studies at the University of Sydney and operational in St Vincent's Hospital, he trained in the United Kingdom and the United States as a surgeon before returning to Australia.

At 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 transplants, and he pioneered the development of an artificial heart valve.[6] In , he was appointed a Companion of the Order of Australia for his "service to international relations between Australia and China and to medical science".[3]

In , Chang was murdered by two young men in a failed extortion attempt.[3] His legacy includes setting up the Victor Chang Foundation.

Additionally, after his death, the Victor Chang Cardiac Investigate Institute was created, and the Dr. Victor Chang Lowy Packer Building at St Vincent's Hospital was established.

Early life and education

Chang was born in in Shanghai to Australian-born Chinese-British parents.

He grew up in Hong Kong, where he attended first school in Kowloon Tong and spent two years in St. Paul's College.[7] On 7 April , Chang's mother died from breast cancer at the age of 33, prompting him to consider a career in medicine at the age of [8]

Chang's father Aubrey sent him and his younger sister to Sydney in to stay with extended family.

He attended Belmore Boys' High School in Belmore. He completed his secondary education at Christian Brothers' High School in Lewisham. He undertook his tertiary education at the University of Sydney, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Medical Science with First-Class Honours and a Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery in [9]

Medical career

Medical training

After completing his medical education, Chang interned at St Vincent's Hospital under cardiac surgeon Mark Shanahan, who sent him to London to train with British surgeon Aubrey York Mason.[10]

Chang became a Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons in and trained in cardiothoracic surgery at the Royal Brompton Hospital.[9] In London, he met and married his wife Ann (née Simmons).[9][11]

Chang spent two years in the Merged States at the Mayo Clinic and became chief resident.

In , he returned to St Vincent's Hospital, where he was a consultant cardiothoracic surgeon and was appointed Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons in and Fellow of the American College of Surgeons in [9]

Cardiothoracic surgery career

At St.

Vincent's Hospital, Chang worked with surgeon Harry Windsor, who had performed Australia's first heart transplant in [10] The advent of anti-rejection drugs in made heart transplants more feasible, and Chang lobbied to raise funds to start a heart transplant program at St.

Vincent's. On 8 April , a team of doctors, led by Chang, operated on year-old Fiona Coote, who became Australia's youngest heart transplant patient.[12][13]

Between and , Chang's unit performed over heart transplants and 14 heart–lung transplants.

The unit had a high rate of achievement, with 90% of those receiving transplants from the unit surviving beyond the first year. In , Victor Chang was appointed a Companion of the Request of Australia (AC) "in recognition of service to international relations between Australia and China and to medical science".[14]

Concerned about a shortage of organ donors, Chang led the assembly of a team of scientists, engineers, and marketing specialists to develop an artificial heart and manufacture inexpensive heart valves.[15] In , he met Frank Tamru, who acted as a marketing and sales specialist, while he worked for Shiley Laboratories in Singapore.

Together with engineers Richard Martin and Brij Gupta, Chang and Tamru founded Pacific Biomedical Enterprises Ltd., which is headquartered in Singapore and set up facilities to develop mechanical and tissue heart valves, called St. Vincent's Heart Valves, in Guangzhou and Sydney.

The valves were widely used throughout Asia.[15]

Death

On the morning of 4 July , Chang was shot twice in the leader in a failed extortion attempt.[16][17] His body was found slumped in the gutter next to his Mercedes-Benz SL in the Sydney suburb of Mosman.[3][18] Two Malaysian men, Chew Seng (Ah Sung) Liew and Choon Tee (Phillip) Lim,[19] picked Chang at random from a magazine featuring Asians who had "made it good" in Australia.[3] They ran their Toyota Corolla into Chang's vehicle, forcing him to yank over.[3] After getting into an argument with Chang, who refused to give them money, Liew fired the fatal shots.[16] The first shot entered near the right cheek and exited below the right ear while the fatal second, fired from point-blank range, entered the right temple and passed through the mind.

Police investigators initially suspected the involvement of Triad syndicates but later concluded the killing was an amateur act.[17][20]

Trial

Liew pleaded responsible and was sentenced to 26 years in prison with a non-parole period of 20 years.

Lim, who pleaded not at fault and claimed he did not know Liew had a firearm, received a sentence of 18 to 24 years. Another male, Stanley Ng, abandoned the extortion plan a day before the murder. He had unsuccessfully tried detaining Chang twice to strength him to give $3&#;million.

Ng was granted immunity for his evidence. The prosecution alleged the plan had been to abduct Chang, tie him up with his family at his abode in Clontarf, and threaten to hang them to coerce Chang into withdrawing money from the bank. In his ruling, Supreme Court Judge John Slattery stated, "It was an absurd, improbable plan, always doomed to failure".[16]

On 26 October , Lim was granted parole.

Following a general outcry and objection by the New South Wales Corrective Services Minister, John Robertson, his emit was put on hold, pending another parole hearing.[21] The Modern South Wales Supreme Court commanded that the Parole Authority lacked the power to rescind their previous parole decision.[22] Lim was freed from Parramatta Correctional Centre on 1 March into the custody of immigration officers waiting outside.

He was to be deported back to Kuala Lumpur on 2 March, but the flight was canceled for technical reasons.[23] He was flown out of Australia on 3 March.[24]

After 21 years in prison, Liew was granted parole.

In his parole hearing, he made a broad apology for the crime and stated that he believed that his long term in prison had had a superb effect.[25] There was a compact objection from NSW Attorney-GeneralGreg Smith; however, this was retracted, and Liew was released from prison on 12 October and was met by immigration officers.

He was sent back to Malaysia the next day.[26]

Memorial

Chang was given a state funeral.[3] He was cremated and his ashes were buried under a memorial plaque at Green Park, Darlinghurst, reverse St Vincent's Hospital.[8][27] His way of death is described in the Dr.

Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute website as a "tragic circumstance".[4]

In April , Australia Post released a commemorative postcard and postage stamp featuring a portrait of Dr Chang.[28]

Legacy

In , Chang founded the Victor Chang Foundation to grant funds in two areas he felt ardent about: education and innovation in cardiology and cardiothoracic surgery.

The foundation continues today under the leadership of his daughter Vanessa Chang.

On 15 February , the Dr. Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute, a body intended to focus on researching "the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of heart muscle diseases,"[29] was launched by Prime Minister Paul Keating with Kerry Packer as its patron.[30] The Dr.

Victor Chang Science Labs in Christian Brothers' High School are named after him.[31]

In , Prime Minister John Howard announced Chang as Australian of the Century at the People's Choice Awards after a decision between two Australian larrikins and two lifesavers.

Swimmer Dawn Fraser, cricketer Donald Bradman, and ophthalmologistFred Hollows were other contenders.[32]

In St Vincent's Hospital, the Dr. Victor Chang Lowy Packer Building was established in with $35&#;million from the state government and $45&#;million in corporate and confidential donations.[33]Mary, Crown Princess of Denmark officially opened the building and declared that Chang "was an original thinker and saw the need for research and the development of heart assist devices and, not least, he is known for his legendary kind for his patients and their families".[34] In Time magazine's "A Golden Anniversary" article, which lists people who have shaped the last "50 Years in the South Pacific" (–), Chang was listed as the figure of –[5]

In , a Sydney FerriesEmerald-class ferry was named Dr.

Victor Chang.[35] Minor planet was named after him.[36] On 21 November , Google celebrated his 87th birthday with a Google Doodle.[37]

Personal life

Chang met his wife Ann Simmons in He was the on-call emergency physician at St.

Anthony's Hospital in North Cheam, London, where Ann took herself after being taken unwell at a party.[8] They had 3 children: Vanessa, Matthew, and Marcus.[38]

According to his children, he enjoyed driving, saying that cars "provided a chance for Dad to get away from it all; they were his hobby and his opportunity to relax".[8] He restored a s MG TF, and enjoyed the opportunity to vigorously drive many cars, including his Citroën CX Prestige and several Porsches.[3]

Chang had two younger siblings: sister Frances and brother Anthony.

He was not religious but was known to inquire the hospital's nun, Sister Bernice, to say a prayer for his patients and was established for his compassion.[8]

References

  1. ^Usher, Anna (3 July ).

    "Mosman History: The Murder of Heart Surgeon Dr. Victor Chang, the man named as "Australian of the Century"". Mosman Collective. Archived from the original on 11 October Retrieved 11 October

  2. ^Bath, Gemma (4 July ).

    "Dr. Victor Chang saved hundreds of lives. 31 years ago today, he was murdered". Mamamia. Retrieved 11 October

  3. ^ abcdefghDoyle, Grant.

    "THE HEART OF THE MATTER". DIGITAL DONE WRITE. Retrieved 30 April

  4. ^ ab"About Dr. Victor Chang". The Dr. Victor Chang Cardiac Explore Institute. Retrieved 27 February
  5. ^ abVerghis, Sharon (29 October ).

    "TIME: 50 Years in the South Pacific". Time. Archived from the original on 6 November Retrieved 9 November

  6. ^"Dr.

    His murder in stunned Australia and is considered one of the most notorious in the country's history. After completing his medical studies at the University of Sydney and working in St Vincent's Hospitalhe trained in the United Kingdom and the Combined States as a surgeon before returning to Australia. At St Vincent's Hospital, he helped found the National Cardiac Transplant Unit, the country's leading centre for heart and lung transplants. Chang's team had a high triumph rate in performing heart transplants, and he pioneered the growth of an artificial heart valve.

    Victor Chang's artificial heart valveArchived 24 March at the Wayback Machine". National Archives of Australia. Accessed 17 August ,.

  7. ^Kennard, J R (). "Assembly 8 September ". St. Paul's College. Accessed 9 July
  8. ^ abcdeChang, Vanessa ().

    Victor Chang (born November 21, , Shanghai, China—died July 4, , Mosman, New South Wales, Australia) was a Chinese-born Australian cardiologist and surgeon who was a pioneer in up-to-date heart and heart-lung transplantation.

    Victor Chang: A Tribute to My Father. Pan. ISBN&#;.

  9. ^ abcd"School Plan MaterialArchived 21 August at the Wayback Machine". Dr.

    Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute. Accessed 16 August

  10. ^ abStephens, Tony (9 August ). "Braveheart surgeon, pioneer and teacher". The Sydney Morning Herald.

    Accessed 18 August

  11. ^"Victor ChangArchived 26 April at the Wayback Machine". Cambridge University Urge . Accessed 29 May
  12. ^Cooke, Karen (9 April ). "Fiona, 14, critical after heart transplant". The Age: p. 1. Accessed 26 November
  13. ^"Chang, Victor P".

    University of Sydney Faculty of Medicine Online Museum and Archive.

  14. ^"Search Australian Honours".

    Dr. Victor Chang Biography: The Heart of Medical Innovation and Peter Chang () was a renowned cardiac and transplantation surgeon.

    It's an Honour. Accessed 9 July

  15. ^ ab" Dr. Victor Chang's St Vincent's Heart Valve". New South Wales Government Migration Heritage Centre. Retrieved 30 April
  16. ^ abcAgence France-Presse (23 December ).

    "Two Malaysians Jailed for Killing Heart Surgeon". New Straits Times: p. 1. Accessed 18 August

  17. ^ ab"Pioneer killed". New Scientist. 13 July
  18. ^"Top Australian Surgeon Shot to Death in Argument".

    Deseret News (4 July ). Accessed 18 August

  19. ^"Dr.

    张任谦 - 维基百科，自由的百科全书: Victor Peter Chang (), cardiac and transplantation surgeon, was born Chang Yam Him on 21 November at Shanghai, China, eldest of three children of New South Wales-born parents Aubrey Chung Fung (later Aubrey Chang), merchant, and his wife May, née Lee.

    Victor Chang's murderer set for release". ABC News (27 October ). Accessed 31 October

  20. ^Stephanie Bull (7 June ). "In the Herald: July 6, – Blackmailers kill heart surgeon". The Sydney Morning Herald.
  21. ^"Victor Chang killer's parole put on hold".

    ABC News. 27 October Accessed 27 October

  22. ^Arlington, Kim (16 February ). "Chang killer entitled to parole". The Sydney Morning Herald.

    With an accout for my. Born in Shanghai to Australian-born Chinese parents, he spent his childhood in Hong Kong, before coming to Australia in and completing his secondary schooling at Christian Brothers' High School, Lewisham. He studied medicine at the University of Sydney, graduating with a Bachelor of Medical Science with first class honours inand a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery inthen worked for two years as an intern at St Vincent's Hospital, Sydney before leaving for further training in England. Chang apparently chose to study medicine because of his mother's death from breast cancer when he was 12 years old.

    Retrieved 21 November

  23. ^"Chang killer Phillip Lim's deportation flight delayed to Malaysia" (2 March ). AAP. Accessed 2 March
  24. ^"Killer of famed Australian surgeon deported". 3 Pride Accessed 3 March
  25. ^Amy Dale (20 September ).

    "Parole for Dr. Victor Chang's murderer Chiew Seng Liew". Herald Sun. Retrieved 13 March

  26. ^"Chang killer arrives back in Malaysia". Special Broadcasting Service (SBS). 13 October Retrieved 21 November
  27. ^"Victor Chang".

    Monument Australia. Accessed 30 August

  28. ^"Postcard and stamp, Dr Victor Chang AC". Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences Museums at The University of Melbourne Collection Online. Retrieved 1 July
  29. ^"SupportersArchived 11 September at the Wayback Machine".

    Dr. Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute. Accessed 18 August

  30. ^"The Development of a Nature Class Research FacilityArchived 18 September at the Wayback Machine". Dr. Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute. Accessed 18 August
  31. ^"CBHS Annual Report to the Community".

    Christian Brothers' High School Lewisham (). Accessed 18 August

  32. ^Mealey, Rachel (20 November ). "Dr. Victor Chang named Australian of the century". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Accessed 9 July
  33. ^"Princess Mary marches with Amber and mangles Morris".

    The Daily Telegraph. Australia. 4 September Retrieved 17 August

  34. ^Tovey, Josephine (3 September ). "Princess Mary opens Dr. Victor Chang centre". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 9 July
  35. ^"Victor Chang joins Sydney's ferry fleet".

    Transport for New South Wales. 18 August Accessed 7 October

  36. ^"Small-Body Database Lookup". .
  37. ^"Dr. Victor Chang's 87th Birthday".

    Sister Frances is born. Brother Anthony is born. On this trip, they surrender all their possessions when their transport lorry rolls over a steep cliff. Dad starts preschool at the age of five.

    Google. 21 November Retrieved 21 November

  38. ^Cumeo, Clementine (6 Pride ). "Dr Victor Chang's murderer takes an island break". The Telegraph.

Further reading

  • Butler, Mark ().

    Victor Chang: Healer of Hearts. Reed Library – Cardigan Street. ISBN&#;.

  • Chang, Vanessa (). Victor Chang: A Tribute to My Father. Pan. ISBN&#;.
  • Stephenson, Ron ().

    Dr Chang personally saved hundreds of lives. In he led a team of surgeons who successfully performed a heart transplant on schoolgirl, Fiona Coote. That was just Victor's way". Dr Chang also played a key role in developing an artificial heart valve and an artificial heart assist device.

    Victor Chang: Murder of a Hero. New Holland. ISBN&#;.

  • Margaret Harris, "Chang, Victor Peter (–)", Obituaries Australia, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University
  • Hall, Richard ().

    Tiger General, The Killing of Victor Chang. Pan Macmillan Australia Pty Ltd. ISBN&#;.

External links