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Victor Chang

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Victor Chang
AC
Chang in 1987
Born
Chang Yam Him

(1936-11-21)21 November 1936
Shanghai, China
Died4 July 1991(1991-07-04) (aged 54)
Sydney, Australia
Cause of deathMurder (ballistic trauma)
NationalityChinese and Australian
Other namesVictor Peter Chang
EducationUniversity of Sydney
Years active1960–1991
Known forPioneer of heart transplantation
Medical career
ProfessionHeart surgeon
InstitutionsSt Vincent's Hospital
Sub-specialtiesCardiothoracic surgery
Heart transplant
ResearchDevelopment of an artificial heart valve with the formation of Pacific Biomedical Enterprises in Singapore.
AwardsCompanion of the Order of Australia
Victor Chang
Traditional Chinese張任謙
Hanyu PinyinZhāng Rènqiān
Transcriptions
Standard Mandarin
Hanyu PinyinZhāng Rènqiān
Yue: Cantonese
Jyutpingzoeng1 jam6 him1

Victor Peter Chang AC (born Chang Yam Him; 21 November 1936 – 4 July 1991) was a Chinese-born Australian cardiac surgeon and a pioneer of modern heart transplantation in Australia.

His murder in 1991 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 1999 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 working 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 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".[3]

In 1991, 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 Research Institute was created, and the Dr. Victor Chang Lowy Packer Building at St Vincent's Hospital was established.

Early life and education

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Chang was born in 1936 in Shanghai to Australian-born Chinese-British parents. He grew up in Hong Kong, where he attended primary school in Kowloon Tong and spent two years in St. Paul's College.[7] On 7 April 1948, Chang's mother died from breast cancer at the age of 33, prompting him to consider a career in medicine at the age of 12.[8]

Chang's father Aubrey sent him and his younger sister to Sydney in 1951 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 1962.[9]

Medical career

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Medical training

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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 1966 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 United States at the Mayo Clinic and became chief resident. In 1972, 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 1973 and Fellow of the American College of Surgeons in 1975.[9]

Cardiothoracic surgery career

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At St. Vincent's Hospital, Chang worked with surgeon Harry Windsor, who had performed Australia's first heart transplant in 1968.[10] The advent of anti-rejection drugs in 1980 made heart transplants more feasible, and Chang lobbied to raise funds to establish a heart transplant program at St. Vincent's. On 8 April 1984, a team of doctors, led by Chang, operated on 14-year-old Fiona Coote, who became Australia's youngest heart transplant patient.[12][13]

Between 1984 and 1990, Chang's unit performed over 197 heart transplants and 14 heart–lung transplants. The unit had a high rate of success, with 90% of those receiving transplants from the unit surviving beyond the first year. In 1986, Victor Chang was appointed a Companion of the Order 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 1980, 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

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Life-size bronze statue of Chang outside the Dr. Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute, sculptor Linda Klarfeld.

On the morning of 4 July 1991, Chang was shot twice in the head in a failed extortion attempt.[16][17] His body was found slumped in the gutter next to his Mercedes-Benz 500SL 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 pull 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 brain. Police investigators initially suspected the involvement of Triad syndicates but later concluded the killing was an amateur act.[17][20]

Trial

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Liew pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 26 years in prison with a non-parole period of 20 years. Lim, who pleaded not guilty and claimed he did not know Liew had a firearm, received a sentence of 18 to 24 years. Another man, Stanley Ng, abandoned the extortion plan a day before the murder. He had unsuccessfully tried detaining Chang twice to force 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 home 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 2009, Lim was granted parole. Following a public outcry and objection by the New South Wales Corrective Services Minister, John Robertson, his release was put on hold, pending another parole hearing.[21] The New South Wales Supreme Court ruled that the Parole Authority lacked the power to rescind their previous parole decision.[22] Lim was freed from Parramatta Correctional Centre on 1 March 2010 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 good effect.[25] There was a small objection from NSW Attorney-General Greg Smith; however, this was retracted, and Liew was released from prison on 12 October 2012 and was met by immigration officers. He was sent back to Malaysia the next day.[26]

Memorial

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Chang was given a state funeral.[3] He was cremated and his ashes were buried under a memorial plaque at Green Park, Darlinghurst, opposite St Vincent's Hospital.[8][27] His manner of death is described in the Dr. Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute website as a "tragic circumstance".[4]

In April 2012, Australia Post released a commemorative postcard and postage stamp featuring a portrait of Dr Chang.[28]

Legacy

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The ferry Dr. Victor Chang approaching Circular Quay, 2017

In 1984, Chang founded the Victor Chang Foundation to grant funds in two areas he felt passionate about: education and innovation in cardiology and cardiothoracic surgery. The foundation continues today under the leadership of his daughter Vanessa Chang.

On 15 February 1994, 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 1999, 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 ophthalmologist Fred Hollows were other contenders.[32]

In St Vincent's Hospital, the Dr. Victor Chang Lowy Packer Building was established in 2008 with $35 million from the state government and $45 million in corporate and private 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 caring 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" (1959–2009), Chang was listed as the figure of 1979–1989.[5]

In 2017, a Sydney Ferries Emerald-class ferry was named Dr. Victor Chang.[35] Minor planet 24450 was named after him.[36] On 21 November 2023, Google celebrated his 87th birthday with a Google Doodle.[37]

Personal life

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Chang met his wife Ann Simmons in 1966. 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 1950s MG TF, and enjoyed the opportunity to vigorously drive many cars, including his 1982 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 ask the hospital's nun, Sister Bernice, to say a prayer for his patients and was known for his compassion.[8]

References

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  1. ^ Usher, Anna (3 July 2020). "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 2022. Retrieved 11 October 2022.
  2. ^ Bath, Gemma (4 July 2022). "Dr. Victor Chang saved hundreds of lives. 31 years ago today, he was murdered". Mamamia. Retrieved 11 October 2022.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h Doyle, Grant. "THE HEART OF THE MATTER". DIGITAL DONE WRITE. Retrieved 30 April 2021.
  4. ^ a b "About Dr. Victor Chang". The Dr. Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute. Retrieved 27 February 2021.
  5. ^ a b Verghis, Sharon (29 October 2009). "TIME: 50 Years in the South Pacific". Time. Archived from the original on 6 November 2009. Retrieved 9 November 2009.
  6. ^ "Dr. Victor Chang's artificial heart valve Archived 24 March 2019 at the Wayback Machine". National Archives of Australia. Accessed 17 August 2009,.
  7. ^ Kennard, J R (2008). "Assembly 8 September 2008". St. Paul's College. Accessed 9 July 2009.
  8. ^ a b c d e Chang, Vanessa (2001). Victor Chang: A Tribute to My Father. Pan. ISBN 978-0-330-36322-8.
  9. ^ a b c d "School Project Material Archived 21 August 2010 at the Wayback Machine". Dr. Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute. Accessed 16 August 2009.
  10. ^ a b Stephens, Tony (9 August 2008). "Braveheart surgeon, pioneer and teacher". The Sydney Morning Herald. Accessed 18 August 2009.
  11. ^ "Victor Chang Archived 26 April 2012 at the Wayback Machine". Cambridge University Press. Accessed 29 May 2010.
  12. ^ Cooke, Karen (9 April 1984). "Fiona, 14, critical after heart transplant". The Age: p. 1. Accessed 26 November 2009.
  13. ^ "Chang, Victor P". University of Sydney Faculty of Medicine Online Museum and Archive.
  14. ^ "Search Australian Honours". It's an Honour. Accessed 9 July 2009.
  15. ^ a b "1991 Dr. Victor Chang's St Vincent's Heart Valve". New South Wales Government Migration Heritage Centre. Retrieved 30 April 2021.
  16. ^ a b c Agence France-Presse (23 December 1992). "Two Malaysians Jailed for Killing Heart Surgeon". New Straits Times: p. 1. Accessed 18 August 2009.
  17. ^ a b "Pioneer killed". New Scientist. 13 July 1991.
  18. ^ "Top Australian Surgeon Shot to Death in Argument". Deseret News (4 July 1991). NewsLibrary.com. Accessed 18 August 2009.
  19. ^ "Dr. Victor Chang's murderer set for release". ABC News (27 October 2009). Accessed 31 October 2009.
  20. ^ Stephanie Bull (7 June 1991). "In the Herald: July 6, 1991 – Blackmailers kill heart surgeon". The Sydney Morning Herald.
  21. ^ "Victor Chang killer's parole put on hold". ABC News. 27 October 2009. Accessed 27 October 2009.
  22. ^ Arlington, Kim (16 February 2010). "Chang killer entitled to parole". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 21 November 2023.
  23. ^ "Chang killer Phillip Lim's deportation flight delayed to Malaysia" (2 March 2010). AAP. Accessed 2 March 2010.
  24. ^ "Killer of famed Australian surgeon deported". thenews.com.pk. 3 March 2010. Accessed 3 March 2010.
  25. ^ Amy Dale (20 September 2012). "Parole for Dr. Victor Chang's murderer Chiew Seng Liew". Herald Sun. Retrieved 13 March 2013.
  26. ^ "Chang killer arrives back in Malaysia". Special Broadcasting Service (SBS). 13 October 2012. Retrieved 21 November 2023.
  27. ^ "Victor Chang". Monument Australia. Accessed 30 August 2018.
  28. ^ "Postcard and stamp, Dr Victor Chang AC". Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences Museums at The University of Melbourne Collection Online. 2012. Retrieved 1 July 2024.
  29. ^ "Supporters Archived 11 September 2009 at the Wayback Machine". Dr. Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute. Accessed 18 August 2009.
  30. ^ "The Development of a World Class Research Facility Archived 18 September 2009 at the Wayback Machine". Dr. Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute. Accessed 18 August 2009.
  31. ^ "CBHS Annual Report to the Community". Christian Brothers' High School Lewisham (2008). Accessed 18 August 2009.
  32. ^ Mealey, Rachel (20 November 1999). "Dr. Victor Chang named Australian of the century". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Accessed 9 July 2009.
  33. ^ "Princess Mary marches with Amber and mangles Morris". The Daily Telegraph. Australia. 4 September 2008. Retrieved 17 August 2009.
  34. ^ Tovey, Josephine (3 September 2008). "Princess Mary opens Dr. Victor Chang centre". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 9 July 2009.
  35. ^ "Victor Chang joins Sydney's ferry fleet". Transport for New South Wales. 18 August 2017. Accessed 7 October 2017.
  36. ^ "Small-Body Database Lookup". ssd.jpl.nasa.gov.
  37. ^ "Dr. Victor Chang's 87th Birthday". Google. 21 November 2023. Retrieved 21 November 2023.
  38. ^ Cumeo, Clementine (6 March 2010). "Dr Victor Chang's murderer takes an island break". The Telegraph.

Further reading

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