Victor’s ancestral journey to Australia began amid the fervent gold rush of the mid-19th century. His paternal lineage, anchored by Aubrey Chang, saw its origins in Tamworth, while his maternal heritage, embodied by May Lee, traces back to Inverell, nestled in the northwestern precincts of New South Wales. By the dawn of the 1930s, Victor’s parents had ventured to Hong Kong, where destiny intertwined their paths, culminating in matrimony. Their journey continued to Shanghai, a vibrant metropolis where Victor Chang, also known as Yam Him, was born in November 1936.
However, the tranquility of Shanghai was soon shattered by the onset of Japanese aggression. The Chang family, faced with the encroaching turmoil, sought refuge in Hong Kong when Victor was merely two years old. The early death of Victor’s mother from breast cancer in 1948 cast a profound shadow over his youth, steering him towards a future in medicine.
The early 1950s ushered in a pivotal chapter as Aubrey Chang made the decision to relocate Victor and his younger sister to Sydney, Australia, to live with their extended family. This migration involved a protracted six-week voyage across the oceans from Hong Kong to Sydney. Upon his arrival, Victor initially resided in Campsie and attended a local school in Belmore. His educational journey culminated at the Christian Brothers College in Lewisham, marking the beginning of his illustrious career.
Victor’s academic prowess bore fruit in 1962 when he graduated from Sydney University, earning a Bachelor of Medicine and a Bachelor of Surgery. His initial foray into the medical realm included an internship at St. Vincent’s Hospital in Sydney, after which he ventured abroad to deepen his expertise. His extensive training in cardiothoracic surgery took him to the prestigious Mayo Clinic and the United Kingdom before he returned to St. Vincent’s Hospital.
For the subsequent two decades, Victor was an integral part of a pioneering medical team alongside Dr. Harry Windsor and Dr. Mark Shanahan, the latter of whom achieved the historic milestone of performing Australia’s inaugural heart transplant in 1968. Victor Chang’s contributions to cardiothoracic surgery are celebrated for their groundbreaking impact on the field.
For further insights into Dr. Victor Chang and his monumental contributions to heart disease research, school students can access our comprehensive School Materials Pack (2018).
Dr. Victor Chang: A Legacy of Innovation and Compassion
In the same pivotal year, Dr. Victor Chang inaugurated the National Heart Transplant Program at St. Vincent’s Hospital. This groundbreaking initiative has since facilitated thousands of successful heart transplants, cementing its role as a beacon of hope in the field of cardiothoracic medicine.
Dr. Chang’s contributions extended beyond transplantation; he was instrumental in the development of an artificial heart valve and a sophisticated heart assist device. These innovations have significantly advanced the field, offering new avenues for patients in need of life-saving interventions.
In recognition of his extraordinary contributions to medicine and society, Dr. Chang was honored with the Companion of the Order of Australia (AC) in 1986, the nation’s highest accolade. Fourteen years later, in 2000, he was celebrated as Australian of the Century, an accolade bestowed upon him by the people of Australia in acknowledgment of his profound impact on the nation.
A compassionate surgeon and visionary humanitarian, Dr. Chang was driven by a fervent belief in the transformative power of discovery. His ambitious vision included the establishment of a premier medical research institute, a testament to his commitment to advancing global health care.
Tragically, Dr. Chang’s life was cut short under sorrowful circumstances on July 4, 1991, in Sydney. He is fondly remembered as a humble and charismatic individual, cherished by his patients, friends, and family—his wife Ann and children Vanessa, Matthew, and Marcus.
The Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute stands as a tribute to his enduring legacy, dedicated to finding cures for heart disease and continuing Dr. Chang’s mission of medical advancement and compassionate care.
