Leslie Massey
Victor Chang, a Chinese-born Australian cardiologist and surgeon, migrated to Australia in 1951. Chang was born in Shanghai, China, in 1936 and moved to Hong Kong with his family in 1937 due to the Second Sino-Japanese War. After living in various places, including Myanmar (Burma) and Sichuan, China, Chang and his sister were sent to Sydney, Australia, by their father in 1951 to stay with extended family. Chang attended Belmore Boys High School and Christian Brothers' High School in Sydney and later studied medicine at the University of Sydney, receiving a bachelor's degree in medical science in 1961. He went on to become a pioneer in modern heart and heart-lung transplantation and was appointed a Companion of the Order of Australia in 1986 for his contributions to medicine and international relations between Australia and China.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of migration to Australia | 1951 |
| Age at migration | 15 years old |
| Migrated with | His sister |
| Reason for migration | To live with extended family after the death of his mother |
| Destination in Australia | Sydney |
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What You'll Learn
Victor Chang migrated to Australia in 1951
Victor Chang, a Chinese-born Australian cardiologist and surgeon, was born in Shanghai, China, in 1936. Chang's family moved to Hong Kong in 1937 due to the Second Sino-Japanese War. In 1945, they returned to Shanghai, but the outbreak of civil war forced them back to Hong Kong in 1948. It was here that Chang's mother passed away from breast cancer, inspiring him to pursue a career in medicine.
In 1951, Chang's father sent him and his sister to Sydney, Australia, to live with extended family. There, Chang attended Belmore Boys High School and Christian Brothers' High School. He went on to study medicine at the University of Sydney, receiving a bachelor's degree in medical science in 1961 and a bachelor's degree in medicine and surgery in 1963.
After completing his residency at St. Vincent's Hospital in Darlinghurst, New South Wales, Chang left for England in 1965, working as a cardiothoracic surgeon and continuing his medical education. In 1970, he began training at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, and became chief resident the following year. Chang returned to Australia in 1972 and joined St. Vincent's Hospital as a cardiothoracic surgeon, working alongside renowned surgeons such as Harry Windsor and Mark Shanahan.
Throughout his career, Chang made significant contributions to the field of cardiology and cardiothoracic surgery. He played a crucial role in establishing Australia's first heart transplant program and developed low-cost artificial heart valves that were used in Asia and other regions. His work improved international relations between Australia and Asian countries, particularly China, and he was recognised for his contributions with the Companion of the Order of Australia award in 1986.
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Chang's mother's death inspired him to pursue medicine
Victor Chang was born in Shanghai, China, in 1936. Shortly after, Japanese forces invaded Shanghai, and the Chang family was forced to flee to Hong Kong. In 1948, Chang's mother died of breast cancer. Her death inspired him to pursue a career in medicine, and in 1951, at the age of 12, he moved to Sydney, Australia, to stay with extended family.
Chang's mother's battle with breast cancer had a profound impact on him. He was just 12 years old when she passed away, and this experience shaped his desire to help others and make a difference in the field of medicine. It ignited a spark in him to want to understand the human body, heal the sick, and find ways to combat diseases like cancer, which had taken his mother's life.
Chang's decision to become a doctor was also influenced by the circumstances surrounding his mother's death. In those days, medical knowledge and treatments were not as advanced as they are today, and Chang recognized the need for continuous research and innovation in medicine. He understood that by becoming a doctor, he could contribute to improving healthcare and potentially save lives.
Chang's mother's death served as a constant reminder of the importance of compassion and dedication in medicine. He approached his medical career with empathy and a strong sense of determination. He worked tirelessly to advance the field of medicine, not only through his groundbreaking work in heart transplantation but also through his contributions to medical education and innovation.
Chang's mother's death was a pivotal moment in his life, sparking his interest in medicine and shaping his future career. Her passing left a lasting impression on him, and he channelled his grief into a lifelong dedication to helping others through the power of medicine.
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He studied medicine at the University of Sydney
Victor Chang was born in Shanghai, China, in 1936 to Australian-born Chinese parents. In 1948, when Chang was 12 years old, his mother passed away from breast cancer, which inspired him to pursue a career in medicine. In 1951, Chang's father sent him and his younger sister to Sydney, Australia, to stay with extended family. Chang studied medicine at the University of Sydney, receiving a bachelor's degree in medical science in 1961. Two years later, he graduated with a bachelor's degree in medicine and surgery.
Chang's early education was marked by upheaval due to the Second Sino-Japanese War, which broke out in 1937. This forced the Chang family to relocate from Shanghai to Hong Kong, Myanmar (Burma), and finally Sichuan, China, where Chang began his primary school education. In 1945, the family returned to Hong Kong, where Chang attended St. Paul's College for two years.
Upon arriving in Sydney in 1951, Chang attended Belmore Boys High School and Christian Brothers' High School. After completing his secondary education, he enrolled at the University of Sydney to pursue his dream of becoming a doctor. During his time at the University of Sydney, Chang excelled in his medical studies, obtaining his first bachelor's degree in medical science in 1961. He continued his medical education and training at the University, graduating with a second bachelor's degree in medicine and surgery in 1963.
Following his graduation, Chang began his residency at St. Vincent's Hospital in Darlinghurst, New South Wales, in 1963. He worked alongside renowned surgeons and played a pivotal role in the development of heart transplant surgery in Australia. Chang's dedication to his medical career and his contributions to the advancement of heart surgery have left a lasting impact on the Australian medical community and beyond.
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Chang became a cardiothoracic surgeon at St. Vincent's Hospital in 1965
Victor Chang was born in Shanghai, China, in 1936 to Australian-born Chinese parents. In 1948, when Chang was 12 years old, his mother passed away from breast cancer. This tragic event inspired him to pursue a career in medicine. Three years later, in 1951, Chang migrated to Sydney, Australia, along with his sister, to stay with extended family.
In Sydney, Chang attended Belmore Boys High School and Christian Brothers' High School. He then went on to study medicine at the University of Sydney, obtaining a bachelor's degree in medical science in 1961 and a bachelor's degree in medicine and surgery in 1963. After completing his residency at St. Vincent's Hospital in Darlinghurst, New South Wales, Chang left for England in 1965.
During his time in England, Chang worked in various hospitals as a cardiothoracic surgeon and continued his medical education. This marked the beginning of his distinguished career in cardiothoracic surgery. Over the next few years, he gained experience and honed his surgical skills, working alongside renowned surgeons and becoming a part of pioneering medical initiatives.
In 1968, five years after his arrival in England, Chang commenced his training at the prestigious Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. This period of training proved to be instrumental in shaping his expertise in cardiothoracic surgery. Upon completing his training at the Mayo Clinic, Chang returned to Australia in 1972 and assumed the role of cardiothoracic surgeon at St. Vincent's Hospital, where he would go on to make significant contributions to the field of medicine.
At St. Vincent's Hospital, Chang worked closely with surgeon Harry Windsor, who had performed Australia's first heart transplant in 1968. Chang's collaboration with Windsor placed him at the forefront of cardiac surgery in Australia. Together, they pushed the boundaries of transplantation surgery, with Chang eventually establishing Australia's first heart transplant program at St. Vincent's Hospital in 1984. This program achieved remarkable success, with a high rate of survival among patients.
Beyond his work at St. Vincent's Hospital, Chang's impact extended internationally. He served as an official advisor on cardiac surgery in Indonesia and Japan, and his development of low-cost artificial heart valves benefited hospitals in Asia and other regions. Chang's contributions to medicine were recognised with the Companion of the Order of Australia award in 1986, honouring his service to international relations and medical advancements.
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He returned to Australia in 1972
Victor Chang, a Chinese-born Australian, first migrated to Australia in 1951. He moved to Sydney to live with his extended family after his mother passed away from breast cancer. This tragedy inspired him to pursue a career in medicine, and he studied at Belmore Boys High School and Christian Brothers' High School. Later, he studied medicine at the University of Sydney, obtaining a bachelor's degree in medical science in 1961 and a bachelor's degree in medicine and surgery in 1963.
After completing his residency at St. Vincent's Hospital in Darlinghurst, New South Wales, Chang left for England in 1965, working in various hospitals as a cardiothoracic surgeon and furthering his education. In 1970, he began his training at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, and was appointed chief resident in 1971.
Chang's time at St. Vincent's Hospital was marked by significant achievements. He played a crucial role in establishing Australia's first heart transplant program, which achieved remarkable success, with a 90% survival rate for patients receiving transplants. Additionally, Chang's unit performed over 197 heart transplants and 14 heart-lung transplants between 1984 and 1990. His work at St. Vincent's Hospital cemented his legacy as a pioneer in modern heart and heart-lung transplantation.
Beyond his work at St. Vincent's Hospital, Chang's return to Australia in 1972 also allowed him to strengthen international relations, particularly with Asian countries. He arranged for exchanges of medical personnel between St. Vincent's and hospitals in East Asia. Moreover, he served as an official advisor on cardiac surgery in Indonesia and Japan, sharing his expertise across borders. In 1982, he was appointed to the Australia-China Council, further contributing to the improvement of relations between the two nations.
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Frequently asked questions
Victor Chang migrated to Australia in 1951.
Victor Chang was 12 years old when he migrated to Australia, making him 15 years old in 1951.
Victor Chang migrated to Australia to live with his extended family after the death of his mother in 1948.
Victor Chang settled in Sydney, Australia.
No, Victor Chang migrated to Australia with his sister, Frances.
