Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute

The Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute (VCCRI) is an Australian nonprofit medical research facility that is dedicated to finding cures for cardiovascular disease. With headquarters located in Darlinghurst, New South Wales, the research hub is home to more than 20 research laboratories and the Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute Innovation Centre. The Institute's mission is "the relief of pain and suffering, and the promotion of well-being, through an understanding of the fundamental mechanisms of cardiovascular disease". Its key research is focused on the prevention and treatment of various heart diseases, including arrhythmia, cardiac arrest, cardiomyopathy, congenital heart disease, heart attack, heart failure, high cholesterol, obesity, spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) and stroke.

Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute
Life-size bronze statue of Victor Chang by sculptor Linda Klarfeld outside the Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute
Founder(s)Dr. Victor Chang AC
(founded and named in his honour three years after his fatal shooting)
Established15 February 1994 (1994-02-15)
MissionThe relief of pain and suffering, and the promotion of wellbeing, through an understanding of the fundamental mechanisms of cardiovascular biology in health and disease.
ChairmanMatthew Grounds
Executive DirectorProfessor Jason Kovacic
FacultyUniversity of New South Wales
Adjunct faculty
Key peoplePatrons:
  • Princess Mary of Denmark
  • Steven Lowy AM
  • Ann Chang (widow of Victor Chang)
Location
Darlinghurst, New South Wales, Australia
Websitewww.victorchang.edu.au

The Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute was founded in memory of pioneering cardiac surgeon Dr. Victor Chang AC.[1] Established on 14 February 1994, approximately three years after Dr. Chang's death, and opened by then Prime Minister Paul Keating,[2] the institute has become a world-class research and research training facility.[3]

History

Early years

The Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute was officially launched on 14 February 1994, by then Prime Minister the Hon Paul Keating, with Mr Kerry Packer AC as Patron, and Professor Robert Graham as Executive Director. The Institute was originally founded under the auspices of the Sisters of Charity and St Vincent's Hospital. It was named in honour of heart transplant surgeon Dr. Victor Chang, who died in Sydney under tragic circumstances on 4 July 1991. Dr Chang passionately believed in the ability for research to better the lives of many more than surgery ever could, saying "you can save hundreds of lives through surgery but you could save millions through medical research". On 27 February 1995, the Institute was accredited as an independent research facility with the Hon. Neville Wran AC, QC as its inaugural Chairman[4][5].

Official Opening by Diana, Princess of Wales

On 1 November 1996, Diana, Princess of Wales officially opened the Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute’s temporary premises in Darlinghurst at the Garvan Institute of Medical Research, touring several heart research laboratories. The Princess of Wales also attended the Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute Royal Ball as the Guest of Honour on 31 October 1996, describing Dr Chang as "No ordinary cardiac surgeon. He was a visionary."[6] In the Princess' address at the Royal Ball she said "The Institute helps us to remember Dr Chang's great talent and service as he established Australia's National Heart Transplant Program back in 1984. It helps us draw inspiration from his leadership as he sought to realise the dream of a world class research institute, dedicated to the fight against heart disease."[7] Following the death of Diana, Princess of Wales, the Institute established the inaugural Princess' Lecture which was first delivered by Professor Sir Magdi Yacoub in 1998.

In 2000 Dr Victor Chang was voted Australian of the Century by the people of Australia[8].

Building Opening by Her Royal Highness Crown Princess Mary of Denmark

On 4 March 2005 Her Royal Highness Crown Princess Mary of Denmark was the Guest of Honour at the second Victor Chang Royal Ball. The Royal Ball aimed to raise funds to develop a purpose-built, world class research centre in honour of Dr Victor Chang. With the help of Atlantic Philanthropies, construction of the Lowy Packer Building[9] commenced in August 2006 with a groundbreaking ceremony in Darlinghurst. The ten storey Lowy Packer Building would become the Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute's new home. Construction was completed in 2008 and on 3 September, the Lowy Packer Building was formally opened by Her Royal Highness Crown Princess Mary of Denmark[10]. Princess Mary also attended a dinner with His Royal Highness Crown Prince Frederik held inside the new complex. Her Royal Highness Crown Princess Mary is an Honorary Life Governor of the Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute.

Growth and milestones

In 2008 former NSW Premier The Hon. Neville Wran retired as Chairman, becoming a patron of the Institute. Mr Steven Lowy AM takes up the position. In 2013 Mr Lowy stands down as Chairman, leaving the Board after six years as Chairman and 19 years as a Director of the Institute. Mr Matthew Grounds AM is appointed Chairman of the Board. In 2013, the Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute established an additional research laboratory based at the University of Western Australia. Led by Professor Livia Hool, the expansion marks the initial phase of the Institute's plans to enhance cardiovascular research in Western Australia.

In 2019 the Institute celebrated its 25th anniversary with a dinner at the Sydney Opera House. In 2020 the founding Executive Director of the Institute, Professor Robert M Graham stepped down after 25 years, handing over the leadership to Professor Jason Kovacic[11].

Research

The Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute focuses on medical research, centered around;

Location and facilities

The Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute, located within the purpose-built Lowy Packer Building,[9] is a major partner in the St Vincent's Hospital Research Precinct in Darlinghurst, Sydney. Other partners in the precinct are the Garvan Institute of Medical Research, the St Vincent's Centre for Applied Medical Research, and St Vincent's Hospital itself.[3] The Institute was funded by grants from the Government of Australia and a donation from the Australian businessman and philanthropist Kerry Packer.[12] The Lowy Packer Building was funded by the grants from the Government of Australia and the Government of New South Wales and donations from the Atlantic Philanthropies, the Lowy and Packer families, the National Australia Bank, ANZ Bank, Citigroup, and other donors.[3] The budget for the building was A$80 m.[13]

The VCCRI has state-of-the-art research laboratories and support facilities. The Institute holds itself to the highest standards of excellence in research, research training and efforts to translate each new discovery into practical medical applications.[3]

Structure and organisation

The institute is governed by its board of directors, chaired by Matthew Grounds, an investment banker.[14]:13

As of 31 December 2017 the institute had a team of over 300 research and support staff work across six research divisions, being:[14]:12

  • Cardiac Physiology and Transplantation
  • Developmental and Stem Cell Biology
  • Molecular Cardiology and Biophysics
  • Molecular, Structural and Computational Biology
  • Vascular Biology, and
  • Innovation Centre.

In addition, the institute has a business unit responsible for administration and core facilities and another unit that drives fund development.[14]:12

The Victor Chang Institute is also affiliated with the University of New South Wales, accredited by Australia’s National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) as an independent biomedical research facility; and is a member of the Association of Australian Medical Research Institutes (AAMRI). The institute is also a Research Ministry within the Mary Aikenhead Ministries.

Notable people

Chairman
  • Matthew Grounds AM

Executive director
  • Prof. Jason Kovacic

Deputy directors
  • Prof. Jamie Vandenberg[15]
  • Prof. Richard P. Harvey[16]

Researchers
  • Prof.
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See also

References
  1. "Surgeon Victor Chang remembered". Sydney Morning Herald. 3 July 2011.
  2. Keating, Paul (15 February 1994). "Address by the Prime Minister, the Hon. P. J. Keating MP, to the Launch of the Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute, Sydney, February 15, 1994" (PDF).
  3. "2009 Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute Annual Review" (PDF). Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute. 2009.
  4. "St Vincent's Research Campus - Our Legacy". St Vincent's Research Campus. Retrieved 1 July 2020.
  5. "OGTR Accredited Organisations". Office of the Gene Technology Regulator. Retrieved 1 July 2020.
  6. "Princess Diana at the Victor Chang Royal Ball". www.youtube.com. Retrieved 30 June 2020.
  7. "Princess Diana at the Victor Chang Royal Ball". www.youtube.com. Retrieved 30 June 2020.
  8. "AM Archive - Victor Chang named Australian of the century". ABC AM Radio Archive. Retrieved 1 July 2020.
  9. "Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute Lowy Packer Building - Architecture Gallery". Australian Institute of Architects.
  10. "Princess Mary opens Victor Chang centre". The Sydney Morning Herald. 3 September 2008. Retrieved 1 July 2020.
  11. "Professor Jason Kovacic to lead the Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute". Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute. Retrieved 1 July 2020.
  12. "Chang's son continues heart legacy". Sunday Telegraph. 3 July 2011.
  13. "Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute Lowy Packer Building". Jackson Architecture. 2008.
  14. "2017 Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute Annual Review" (PDF). Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute. 2017.
  15. "Prof. Jamie Vanderberg". Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute.
  16. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 7 March 2016. Retrieved 30 September 2015.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
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