
In 1984, Dr Victor Chang changed Australian medicine as we knew it.
He performed Australia's first successful heart transplant on a 39-year-old shearer from Armidale, Peter Apthorpe.
Two months later, he saved the life of 14-year-old Fiona Coote, whose heart was weakened after complications of viral-induced tonsillitis.
Unfortunately, Peter died a few months after his operation; but Fiona Coote is alive to this day.
#OnThisDay 8th April 1984 Dr Victor Chang performed the first successful heart transplant in Australia on 14 year old Fiona Coote here at St V's.
— St Vincent's Sydney (@SVHSydney) April 8, 2021
The surgery marked the beginning of our transplant service - now recognised as a centre of excellence. pic.twitter.com/kqE23oCXXA
It was only the start.
Over the next seven years, Dr Chang's team at St Vincent’s hospital in Sydney performed over 266 heart transplants and 22 heart-lung transplants and six single lung transplants.
His team became one of the most successful in the world in their area of expertise.
Watch: Who was Dr Victor Chang? Post continues.