Victor Chang School Project Material 2012
SECTION 2: CONTENTS
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Victor Chang
Tributes
Achievements
Eulogy – Vanessa Chang
Synopsis
Victor Chang School Project Material 2012
Victor Chang AC (1936-1991)
Victor Chang (Yam Him) was born in Shanghai of
Australian-born Chinese parents. He came to Australia in
1953 to complete his secondary schooling at Christian
Brothers College, Lewisham. Graduating from Sydney
University with a Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of
Surgery in 1962, he became an intern and later a registrar
in cardiothoracic surgery at St Vincent's Hospital.
After obtaining Fellowship in Surgery from the English and
American College of Surgeons he returned to St Vincent's
Hospital in 1972 to join the elite St Vincent's
cardiothoracic team, which already included Dr Harry
Windsor and Dr Mark Shanahan.
A pioneer of the modern era of heart transplantation, Victor Chang was responsible
for the establishment of the National Heart Transplant Unit at St Vincent's Hospital
in 1984, lobbying politicians and raising funds for its ongoing work. During the
1980's he also travelled and lectured extensively in Asia and formed the Australian
Chinese Foundation which sponsored South-East Asian doctors, nurses and students
improving the quality of patient care in their own countries.
Dr Chang was an original thinker and saw the need for research and development
of various cardiothoracic devices. These included the development of an artificial
heart valve and more recently the development of an artificial heart.
In 1986 Victor Chang was awarded a Companion of the Order of Australia and the
University of New South Wales awarded its highest degree of M.D. Honoris Causa
for "scholarly achievement and humanitarian endeavour".
Victor was a quiet, charming person who was loved by his patients and his friends
and especially by his wife Ann and his children Vanessa, Matthew and Marcus.
Victor Chang was a man of vision; as a surgeon, as a researcher and as an
ambassador for Australia and the people of SouthEast Asia.
He died tragically in Sydney on July 4, 1991.
Victor Chang School Project Material 2012
“HONOUR THE DOCTOR”
Honour the Doctor with the honour due him,
According to your need of him;
For healing comes from the Most High,
And he will receive a gift from the king.
The skill of the Doctor lifts up his head,
and in the presence of great men he is admired.
And he gave skill to men that he might be glorified in his marvellous works.
By them he heals and takes away pain;
The pharmacist makes of them a compound.
His works will never be finished;
And from him health is upon the face of the earth.
There is a time when success lies in the hands of doctors for they too will pray to
the Lord
that he should grant them success in diagnosis and in healing, for the sake of
preserving life.
From the Book of Sirach
Victor Chang School Project Material 2012
VALE OUR DR VICTOR CHANG AC
21st
November,
1936
4th
July,
1991
Victor Chang was the outstanding cardiothoracic
surgeon in Australia and South-East Asia, and he was
one of the leading heart surgeons in the world. He
was responsible for developing Australia's National
Heart Transplant Programme, which has seen almost
300 successful heart, heart-lung and single lung
transplants performed since 1984. He was also
working on the development of an artificial heart,
which would be used to support seriously ill patients
who were awaiting heart transplants, but for whom no
donor was immediately available.
Victor's shocking murder by assailants in a Sydney
street on July 4th 1991 has robbed medicine and Australia of a great figure. He
made an outstanding contribution to medicine, heart surgery, the Australian
community and Australian-Asian relations.
Victor Chang (Chang Yam Him) was born in Shanghai of Australian-born Chinese
parents. They returned to Shanghai before he was born, then moved to Burma
before settling in Hong Kong. Victor spent his childhood there, and came to
Australia to complete his secondary schooling at Christian Brothers College,
Lewisham. He is said to have conquered his difficulties learning English - "gave us
all an example of persistence" was how the school annual recorded it - and showed
great flair for Science, especially chemistry. He graduated from the University of
Sydney as Bachelor of Medical Science, with first class honours, in 1960 and with a
Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery in 1962, and then worked for two
years as an intern and registrar in cardiothoracic surgery at St. Vincent's before
leaving for further training in England.
In 1966 Victor became a Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons at the age of 30.
Initially he trained in general surgery in England, but he commenced serious
training in cardiac and thoracic surgery at the Brompton
Hospital for Chest Diseases in London. It was in London
that he met and married his wife, Ann. After two years at
the Mayo Clinic in the U.S., where he was chief resident,
he returned to Sydney in 1972 and became a consultant
cardiothoracic surgeon at St. Vincent's Hospital. In 1973
he was made a Fellow of the Australasian College of
Surgeons and in 1975 he became a Fellow of the American
College of Surgeons.
At St. Vincent's he worked with the late Dr. Harry Windsor
and Dr. Mark Shanahan in building a strong cardiothoracic
team. Dr Windsor had performed Australia's first heart
transplant in 1968, in the early days of such surgery,
before the advent of effective anti-rejection drugs. That
Victor Chang School Project Material 2012
first patient survived six weeks. After an anti-rejection drug became available in
1980, which made heart transplants more feasible, it was Victor Chang who was
responsible for the initial submission to government for a cardiac transplant
programme at St. Vincent's. He personally lobbied politicians and businessmen to
raise enough funds to part-finance the national heart transplant programme in
1983.
The first transplant under the programme was performed at St. Vincent's on 24th
February 1984. The outstanding team of more than 40 health professionals which
Victor led and moulded - and whose enthusiasm he maintained over the next seven
years - has now performed 266 heart transplants, 22 heart-lung transplants and 6
single lung transplants. The team has grown into one of the world's largest and
most successful programmes, with a 92% patient survival rate after one year and
85% survival rate after five years post-transplant.
Victor's concern for his patients in this programme extended to their families and
he organised funds to provide convenient accommodation for the relatives who
came from all over Australia to be with their loved ones during the weeks before
and after the transplant.
Victor travelled and lectured extensively in China, Hong Kong, Indonesia,
Singapore and Malaysia. He was the founder and president of the AustralasianChina Medical Education and Scientific Research Foundation. It sponsored SouthEast Asian doctors, nurses and students to work in Australia, enabling them to
return to improve the quality of patient care in their own countries. He also
sponsored many teams from St. Vincent's to China, Singapore and Indonesia where
they shared their medical, surgical, nursing, hospital administration and
audiovisual skills and knowledge. He was an honorary Professor of Surgery to the
Chinese Academy of Medical Science in Peking, an honorary Professor of Surgery to
Shanghai Medical School and official adviser on cardiac surgery development in
Indonesia. In 1982 he was appointed as a Council member of the Australia China
Council.
Victor was an original thinker who was never satisfied with present technologies
and was constantly thinking of better ways of treating patients. He designed an
artificial heart valve - the St. Vincent's Heart Valve - which is now produced at low
cost in China and Singapore and is used on a large number of patients in South-East
Asia. This and his latest project, the circulatory support system or artificial heart,
are being developed and tested in his laboratory at St. Vincent's which has been
developed and supported with funds raised by Victor. Despite these considerable
community activities, Victor maintained a heavy cardiac surgical load, often
accepting patients who had been rejected by other units as too sick or too
difficult. His patients came from all over Australia and Asia. An indication of the
community activities of this outstanding clinician, surgeon and medical scientist
was his award by the Queen of a Companion of
the order of Australia in 1986.
Victor Chang School Project Material 2012
Noting his long and outstanding service to both medicine and the general
community, the University of New South Wales thanked Victor Peter Chang publicly
by admitting him to the University's highest honour by conferring on him the
degree of M.D. Honoris Causa in 1988 for "both scholarly achievement and
humanitarian endeavour".
In an obituary for his colleague in "The Independent" in London, Professor John
Hickie remembers: "Victor was very excited about his latest project, the
circulatory support system or artificial heart. Only a few weeks ago he drove me
from St. Vincent's to Prince Henry Hospital in Sydney where, in the animal
operating unit, he showed me a sheep which had been supported for several days
with this artificial heart system. Victor believed he was close to achieving
something which would support a person's circulation for several days, or even
weeks, until a donor heart became available. He did not think he had achieved a
permanent artificial heart system - that is something which is a long way in the
future.
"Victor Chang was a quiet, charming person with a good sense of humour, an
intense interest in his patients, and in their relatives, and with a fascination for
technology, seen in his passion of cars, vintage and modern, and his interest in
motor racing. He did not seek fame, but it was foisted upon him because of his
outstanding ability as a surgeon and a team leader."
Victor is survived by his wife, Ann, and three children, Vanessa, Matthew and
Marcus; his father, Aubrey; his sister, Frances, and brother, Anthony -- to whom
the St. Vincent's community extends deepest condolences.
Victor Chang School Project Material 2012
FROM HIS FRIENDS AND COLLEAGUES
From Dr Mark Shanahan
Dear Ann, Vanessa, Matthew, Marcus, Mr Aubury Chang, Frances, and Anthony, All
members of the Chang family, distinguished guests and friends. All of you here who
loved and admired Victor Chang.
No one could have imagined before today the courage that Victor's family have
shown in the past week. Having heard Vanessa's magnificent tribute we can do so
now.
We gather here to say farewell to Victor and to pay tribute to his unique life and
achievements. He became not only an internationally acclaimed surgeon of great
skill but also an ambassador and indeed a national hero.
None of us want to believe that such a senseless crime could be committed against
a gentle, humble and most likeable man who was himself devoid of any kind of
violence. The fact remains however that we have lost him. His absence now leaves
a void which we will try to patch up but which
we can never fill.
Victor had so many qualities of which others
will also speak this morning. Some qualities are
common to most great people. Some however
were especially his own. Most obviously he was
Chinese and very proud of his racial origin and
aware that it gave him special advantages and
broadened his potential. He loved Chinese and
all other Asian people. He devoted much of his
life and surgical skills to their welfare and
education, here and overseas. He was
abundantly kind, compassionate and generous
in ways too numerous to mention. Although
gentle, sensitive and modest about himself he
was nevertheless confident and self-assured as
a surgeon. He was very assertive about what he
thought was right and proper. He was equally
comfortable with the famous or the disadvantaged. He was a great team leader.
It was difficult however to pass him a compliment as he would quickly change the
subject. The concept that he was a national hero was prone to make him both
amused and embarrassed. He would never have imagined this unique response, this
wonderful display of love and respect.
Victor Chang will remain an enigma. He was one who many people assumed to be
complex and yet to his friends he was a very human and simple person whose
friendship and loyalty was deeply sincere and unshakeable. It is slowly dawning on
Victor Chang School Project Material 2012
me how much I am going to miss him. This must be true for all of you and for all of
those who have been affected by his talents at sometime.
I believe that goodness, as exemplified by the parable of the Good Samaritan,
knows no religious boundaries and needs no label. Victor Chang dedicated his life
to helping those who needed his help and lost his life prematurely for refusing to
compromise that principle. I have no doubt that God will bless his soul abundantly
in rewarding that goodness. So in truth we should all rejoice that he has achieved
that which we all seek, namely true peace.
To Ann, Vanessa, Matthew, Marcus and all Victor's family I say on your behalf that
we share your grief and feel deeply saddened at the awesome sacrifice which has
been thrust upon you. We hope that time will lessen your sorrow and that one day
you will enjoy peace and happiness again. I wish that for all of you here today.
Thank you.
From Sister Rosina Johnston
My association with Victor was a quarter of a century.
Victor was a kind and generous man. He was always willing to participate in
nursing projects and sponsored many nurses overseas.
Tuesday was always Victor's day in the operating rooms so we all knew to have the
cup of tea ready around 11:30 after his first case - weak, white, with three sugars.
He had a wicked sense of humour and dearly loved to provoke and tease.
Victor Chang School Project Material 2012
He always had time for the transplant patients and would often stop them in the
hall for a chat. They were constantly amazed that he knew them all by name.
Despite his position he was always gracious and available. In fact he said on many
occasions that he was just "one of the gang" but he was in fact, a colleague and a
friend.
He will be missed by all those his life has touched, particularly the transplant
patients and the Team, but the St. Vincent's family will continue to grow with the
same traditions.
I am proud to have called him my friend.
From Professor Michael O'Rourke
Victor Chang was a man of many contrasts, and of many parts. He was a thoroughly
professional surgeon, but a little boy at heart. He shunned publicity, but he loved
to be in charge. He lived gently, but he
died violently.
Victor had a great sense of noblesse
oblige. While he developed a large
private practice through his friends and
colleagues in Asia, he also spent many
and long periods working in developing
nations. He held Professorships at
National Institutions in China, India,
Indonesia and Singapore. He flew teams
of cardiac specialists from St. Vincent's,
then broke these up in the host hospital
so that each could work separately.
Nothing pleased him more than when his
colleagues - doctor or nurse - returned
independently to continue teaching,
patient care, and research in Asian
nations.
He loved to plant seeds and to see these grow. He was a fine diplomat, but mainly
by example and through the work bench.
All the things that Victor did would not have been possible without the
encouragement and support of his family - Aubrey, Frances and Anthony, of the
children who were his pride and joy - Vanessa, Matthew and Marcus, and especially
his dear and cherished wife Ann, whose English charm and grace so complemented
Victor's own qualities.
Victor Chang School Project Material 2012
Victor Chang taught by example. He taught us tolerance. He set us standards. He
taught us to live, to love and to laugh. His last act was to defend his freedom, and
our Australian way of life.
From Associate Professor Don Harrison
Victor Chang's death has stunned the cardiac anaesthetists and intensivists of St.
Vincent's hospital. To us, he was more than a colleague, he was a partner in
friendships which had matured and grown deeper over the many years of long
cases, late nights and clinical crises.
It is not difficult to find the reasons for which Victor inspired respect and affection
in other members of our team. He had a genuine respect and affection for those
who worked around him and he was never slow to express those feelings. He was
thoughtful of others. On any one of his many history-making trips to China,
Indonesia, Singapore or Malaysia, he would be sure to thank each member of the
local team, even those whose input had been small. He recognised the value of
teamwork and the worth of each individual in the team.
To work with Victor was to follow in the trail of a comet, sometimes there was fire
and heat but always there was the brilliant light and the sense of forward speed.
We shared in his triumphs but he rarely let us share his defeats. Victor was not a
man to seek a scapegoat or to
disseminate blame. He was a man of
bravery in adversity but modesty in
success.
Travel overseas with Victor was a rollercoaster ride, we sometimes did not quite
know where or why we were going or
what we would find when we got there,
but it was exciting all the way. On those
rides we found another level to Victor,
still the professional leader but a gentler,
softer Victor full of humour and warmth,
accessible and sharing. We will never
forget his encyclopaedic knowledge of
cars and Chinese movies, his wide
readings in Chinese History and his love of
things beautiful. He was a man of many
cultures and a man of culture in each
one.
Farewell Victor, colleague and friend, we have lost more that we can say and
perhaps more than we can know.
Victor Chang School Project Material 2012
Thanks to St. Vincent's
We would like to give thanks to all the Staff and those connected with St. Vincent's
Hospital.
Thank you for your support for Victor over the years and for the love and concern
you have shown us since his tragic death. Your words and thoughts are great
consolation.
St. Vincent's were instrumental in developing and growing with Victor and helped
realise his dreams ... and will continue to do so through the Victor Chang Cardiac
Research Centre.
The names of St. Vincent's and Victor Chang are synonymous - the goal to achieve
excellence will be maintained.
Victor would not have expected anything less from St. Vincent's.
The Chang Family
Colleagues...
If I should die and leave you here awhile,
Be not like others sore, undone who keep
Long vigils by the silent dust and weep.
For my sake turn again to life and smile.
Nerving thy heart and trembling hand to do,
Something to comfort other hearts than thine.
Complete these dear unfinished tasks of mine,
And I perchance may therein comfort you.
We shall all miss our colleague terribly - the twinkling eyes and the warm, ready
smile - but we all have our own particular memories of his verve and enthusiasm
which we must all keep alive and afloat.