PM marks pioneering heart program

The Prime Minister Albanese and heart recipient Fiona Coote (pictured) celebrated the 40th Anniversary of the St Vincent’s Heart Lung Program at the Sydney Opera House in early April.

1984 was the beginning of Australia’s first heart transplantation program.

Thanks to the pioneering work of Dr Victor Chang and his team, Fiona was one of the first Australians – and the youngest – to benefit from the heart and lung program at St Vincent’s Hospital. She was just 14 years old.

In his speech, Mr Albanese paid tribute to the legacy of the Sisters of Charity for their humanity and compassion in health care.