Google commemorated the birthday of Chinese-Australian surgeon Dr. Victor Chang with a Doodle, recognizing his groundbreaking contributions to modern heart transplants. The Doodle featured a sketch of the gifted heart surgeon against an animated pulse rate background.
Dr. Victor Chang is celebrated for his trailblazing work in cardiovascular surgery and transplantation. Among his significant contributions is the development of an artificial heart valve and assist device, widely used globally for severe heart conditions. His artificial heart valve not only offered cost advantages but also increased global accessibility for critical lifesaving procedures.
In 1984, Dr. Chang led a surgical team in successfully performing a heart transplant on Fiona Coote, a teenage girl who became Australia’s youngest heart transplant survivor at the age of 14. The National Heart Transplant Program at St Vincent’s Hospital was founded by Dr. Chang in the same year and continues to perform surgeries.
Born on November 21, 1936, in Shanghai, China, Dr. Chang later moved to Australia. Tragically, he was shot dead on July 4, 1991, at the age of 55 in a failed extortion attempt. Despite his untimely death, his contributions to the medical field were widely acknowledged in Australia.
Dr. Chang received Australia’s highest award, the Companion of the Order of Australia, in 1986. He was also voted “Australian of the Century” at the country’s People’s Choice Awards in 1999. The Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute, established in 1994, honors his legacy by dedicating itself to discovering cures, preventive measures, and diagnostic tools for cardiovascular diseases.
The institute emphasizes Dr. Chang’s bold vision to establish a world-class medical research institute, recognizing the potential to save thousands more lives through research compared to surgery alone.
Dr. Chang’s early exposure to the medical profession, driven by the loss of his mother to breast cancer, fueled his passion for medicine. He studied and practiced globally, receiving training in cardiothoracic surgery at the Mayo Clinic and in the UK after graduating from Sydney University.
Dr. Victor Chang’s tragic death sent shockwaves through the medical community, but his legacy lives on through the ongoing work of the Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute. The institute remains committed to advancing medical research and finding innovative solutions for cardiovascular diseases.
Source thedailycourierng news