Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute

Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute
Life-size bronze statue of Victor Chang by sculptor Linda Klarfeld outside the Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute
FoundersDr. 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.
ChairMatthew Grounds
Executive DirectorProfessor Jason Kovacic
FacultyUniversity of New South Wales
Adjunct faculty
Key peoplePatrons:
Location
Darlinghurst, New South Wales, Australia
Coordinates33°52′43.357″S 151°13′19.122″E / 33.87871028°S 151.22197833°E / -33.87871028; 151.22197833
Websitewww.victorchang.edu.au

The Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute (VCCRI) is an Australian non-profit 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.[1]

The Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute was founded in memory of pioneering cardiac surgeon Victor Chang AC.[2] Established on 14 February 1994, approximately three years after Chang's death, and opened by then Prime Minister Paul Keating,[3] the institute has become a world-class research and research training facility.[4]

History

Early years

The Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute was officially launched on 14 February 1994, by Prime Minister Paul Keating, with 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 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 Neville Wran AC, QC as its inaugural chairman.[5][6]

Official opening

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 attended the Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute Royal Ball as the Guest of Honour on 31 October 1996.[7] Following the death of Diana, 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

On 4 March 2005, 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 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 Crown Princess Mary of Denmark.[10] Crown Princess Mary also attended a dinner with Crown Prince Frederik held inside the new complex. Queen Mary is an Honorary Life Governor of the Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute.

Growth and milestones

In 2008 former NSW Premier Neville Wran retired as chairman, becoming a patron of the institute. Steven Lowy AM took up the position. In 2013 Lowy stood down as chairman, leaving the board after six years as chairman and 19 years as a director of the institute. Matthew Grounds AM was 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.[11]

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 Graham stepped down after 25 years, handing over the leadership to Professor Jason Kovacic.[12]

In 2022 the institute and The University of Western Australia announced an official partnership. Along with the new strategic partnership, an additional Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute laboratory was opened at the university.[13]

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.[4] The institute was funded by grants from the Government of Australia and a donation from Kerry Packer.[14] 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.[4] The budget for the building was A$80 m.[15]

The Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute's laboratories in Western Australia are located on the grounds of The University of Western Australia, which is approximately ten minutes from Perth CBD.

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.[4]

Structure and organisation

The institute is governed by its board of directors, chaired by Matthew Grounds, an investment banker.[16]: 13 

As of 31 December 2017 the institute had a team of over 300 research and support staff work across six research divisions, being:[16]: 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.[16]: 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[17]

Executive director

Deputy directors

Researchers

See also

References

  1. ^ "About Us - Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute". The Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute. Retrieved 28 January 2024.
  2. ^ "Surgeon Victor Chang remembered". Sydney Morning Herald. 3 July 2011. Archived from the original on 7 September 2011. Retrieved 18 August 2013.
  3. ^ 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).
  4. ^ a b c d "2009 Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute Annual Review" (PDF). Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute. 2009.
  5. ^ "St Vincent's Research Campus - Our Legacy". St Vincent's Research Campus. Archived from the original on 23 September 2020. Retrieved 1 July 2020.
  6. ^ "OGTR Accredited Organisations". Office of the Gene Technology Regulator. Archived from the original on 27 June 2020. Retrieved 1 July 2020.
  7. ^ "Princess Diana at the Victor Chang Royal Ball". www.youtube.com. Archived from the original on 13 December 2021. Retrieved 30 June 2020.
  8. ^ "AM Archive - Victor Chang named Australian of the century". ABC AM Radio Archive. Archived from the original on 24 January 2021. Retrieved 1 July 2020.
  9. ^ a b "Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute Lowy Packer Building - Architecture Gallery". Australian Institute of Architects. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 18 August 2013.
  10. ^ "Princess Mary opens Victor Chang centre". The Sydney Morning Herald. 3 September 2008. Archived from the original on 1 July 2020. Retrieved 1 July 2020.
  11. ^ "Heart Disease Research Western Australia - Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute". The Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute. Archived from the original on 28 January 2024. Retrieved 28 January 2024.
  12. ^ "Professor Jason Kovacic to lead the Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute". Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute. Archived from the original on 1 July 2020. Retrieved 1 July 2020.
  13. ^ "Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute and UWA join forces to tackle the country's biggest killer". University of Western Australia. 30 March 2022. Archived from the original on 5 April 2022. Retrieved 11 May 2022.
  14. ^ "Chang's son continues heart legacy". Sunday Telegraph. 3 July 2011.
  15. ^ "Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute Lowy Packer Building". Jackson Architecture. 2008. Archived from the original on 29 July 2013. Retrieved 18 August 2013.
  16. ^ a b c "2017 Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute Annual Review" (PDF). Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute. 2017.
  17. ^ "Our Board - Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute". The Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute. Archived from the original on 28 January 2024. Retrieved 28 January 2024.
  18. ^ "Our Scientists - Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute". The Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute. Archived from the original on 28 January 2024. Retrieved 28 January 2024.
  19. ^ "Prof. Jamie Vanderberg". Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute. Archived from the original on 9 March 2014. Retrieved 18 August 2013.