Dr Christiaan Neethling Barnard made medical history on 3 December 1967, when he and his team successfully performed the world's first human heart transplant, by implanting the heart of Denise Darvall, a 25-year-old automobile accident victim in the chest of Louis Washkansky. Eighteen days later Washkansky, a wholesale grocer, died of pneumonia. The next month Dr Barnard performed his second heart transplant on Philip Blaiberg, who survived for nearly two years. He also was the first to implant a second heart to serve as an auxiliary pump in November 1974. These pioneering surgical procedures opened new eras in the treatment of heart disease.
Chris Barnard, an Afrikaner, was born in November 1922, in Beaufort West, where his father was a Dutch Reformed Church minister. He left his Beaufort West high school in December 1940, and began his medical training with the University of Cape Town at the Groote Schuur Hospital in January 1941. He gained his M.B., Ch.B. in December of 1946, and entered private general practice in the small town of Ceres in the Cape Province.
He soon found that his interests lay not in general practice but in innovative medicine and breaking new ground. He accepted the posts of Senior Resident Medical Officer at City Hospital, Cape Town from 1951 to 1953, and then Registrar in the Department of Medicine at Groote Schuur Hospital from 1953 to 1954. Whilst holding these posts Dr Barnard studied and experimented, and gained the degrees of M.Med., M.D. as a result of his research, from the University of Cape Town in 1953.
He remained at Groote Schuur Hospital until January 1956, when he was awarded the Dazian-Foundation Bursary, which permitted him to study cardio-thoracic surgery at the University of Minnesota in USA. After training under Professor Owen Wangensteen, Dr Barnard was awarded the degrees of M.S., Ph.D from the University of Minnesota. These degrees were earned in a span of only two years and nine months – a university record. At the University of Minnesota Dr Barnard gained not only a PhD in surgery, but met colleagues who were on the same wave-length as himself, and with whom he could discuss professional problems after he returned to Cape Town, and some of these became his life-long friends.
Dr Barnard returned to Cape Town in 1958 to join the staff of the Groote Schuur Hospital once more, this time as a cardio-thoracic surgeon. He also became a full-time lecturer and Director of Surgical research. By 1961 he was Associate Professor of Surgery of the University of Cape Town, and by 1969 a full Professor.
Dr Barnard was elected a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons in 1963 and of the American College of Cardiology in 1967. He was awarded a D.Sc. (Hon.Causa) by the University of Cape Town in 1967. Subsequently he was presented with numerous honorary degrees and awards from medical schools and teaching institutions throughout the world.
Dr Barnard published many academic and professional publications. He has also written several books aimed at the general public. "One Life", written in 1970, is not only his autobiography, but also a detailed account of the first heart transplant operation. This was followed a year later by a popular scientific book, "Heart Attack – You Don’t Have to Die". His third book and first novel, "The Unwanted", co-authored by Siegfried Stander, was published in South Africa in 1974, and subsequently released in USA. A fourth book, "South Africa: Sharp Dissection", a commentary on Dr Barnard’s personal political philosophy was published in 1977.
Dr Barnard retired from the University of Cape Town in 1983.
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This large collection comprises:
Section A: Heart surgery statistics and individual patients records on registration
Section B: Correspondence sent to Dr Barnard at his professional address, dating from the late 1950s to 1992
Section C: Papers relating to Dr Barnard’s celebrity status
Section D: Miscellaneous material
Section A: The surgery statistics cover the period 1965-1977. There are some gaps, and the information is not full.
Section B: The correspondence is sorted into:
Medical correspondence, which is potential patients asking for treatment; correspondence with other doctors and specialists re specific patients; referrals; and some correspondence with past patients - African and overseas.
Correspondence with sufferers of various diseases – these are categorised – asking advice. Many of these queries are outside the scope and expertise of Dr Barnard.
Correspondence with professional bodies to which Dr Barnard belonged, in South Africa and USA; as well as that with colleagues – mainly about research into experimental methods and materials relating to heart surgery. Some professional articles and papers sent to him by colleagues are included.
General correspondence, which includes letters of congratulation; requests for financial help, donations, photographs, autographs, sponsorship and invitations.
There are also some private messages from personal friends, including Sophia Loren and Lyndon B Johnson.
Section C: This section deals with CNB’s celebrity status, after his historic first heart transplant in 1967, and includes invitations to functions, correspondence, travel itineraries and memorabilia of visits, such as interview transcripts, photographs, newspaper clippings, awards and menus – one such being from the Variety Club of Israel 5th Anniversary Dinner in 1972, which he attended and which is inscribed by Golda Meir.
CNB’s visits, from 1968 to 1979, cover South Africa and overseas.
Section D: this miscellaneous material includes some documentation relating to the Porphyria and Renal Metabolic Research Group; some journals (mostly medical) and other publications – some in foreign languages.
The collection is open for research. However access to files containing patient information or medical records will only be given in terms of the provisions of the Protection of Personal Information Act. This pertains to A1, A2 and B1.
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Access to this section of the collection will only be given in terms of the provisions of the Protection of Personal Information Act.
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Alphabetical list of mostly overseas patients - adults & children listed separately
Access strictly in terms of Protection of Personal Information Act.
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"List of Italian patients"; etc.
Access strictly in terms of Protection of Personal Information Act.
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Access strictly in terms of Protection of Personal Information Act.
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Operations done at GSH. Records include op. notes, pre & post operative correspondence, some test records, especially for overseas patients, thank you letters. 1965-74, 1975, 1976, 1977
Access strictly in tems of Protection of Personal Information Act.
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[Enquiries from overseas] A-J only 1972, 1973, 1977-79
Access strictly in terms of Protection of Personal Information Act.
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[1972 = Jan.-June only]
Access strictly in terms of Protection of Personal Information Act.
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Correspondence, mostly with Government departments, 1972-1977
Access strictly according to Protection of Personal Information Act.
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Examination reports, Provisional & final exam timetables
External examiners fee schedules
Examination venues
Admin memos
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M.MED (Thoracic surgery) Part II - June 1972
M MED(Thoracic surgery) Part II - June 1973
Set papers, some correspondence
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Access strictly in terms of Protection of Personal Information Act.
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With potential patients asking for treatment;
correspondence with other doctors & specialists re specific patients; referrals.
Some correspondence with past patients
B.1.1.1 South & Southern Africa - 1972-84, alphabetically arranged
B.1.1.2 "Overseas Info. 1968-72", alphabetically arranged
B.1.1.3 "Overseas Info. 1973-74", alphabetically arranged
B.1.1.4 "Overseas Info. 1974-75", alphabetically arranged
B.1.1.5 "Overseas Info. 1975-76", alphabetically arranged (G – P only)
B.1.1.6 “Overseas Info. 1980-84”, alphabetically arranged
Access strictly in terms of Protection of Personal Information Act.
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B.1.2.1 Cardiothoracic
B.1.2.1.1 General:
"SA, SWA, Rhodesia 1968-76, alphabetically arranged
Specific:
Hoffmann, Sydney (Johannesburg lawyer)
Correspondence, social & advice/arrangements re sick Hoffmann child, 1958-63
B.1.2.1.2 "Foreign"
1968-77, alphabetically arranged
B.1.2.2 other medical fields
Correspondence from all countries, 1966-76
B.1.2.2.1 Arthritis
B.1.2.2.2 Diabetes
B.1.2.2.3 E.N.T.
B.1.2.2.4 Limbs/spine
B.1.2.2.5 Liver/kidney
B.1.2.2.6 Neurology
B.1.2.2.7 Reproductive organs
B.1.2.2.8 Other - A-Z
Access strictly in terms of Protection of Personal Information Act
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B.1.3.1 American Association of Medical Assistants, Inc.
Correspondence, 1968
B.1.3.2 American College of Cardiology
Correspondence; newsletters & info sheets; CNB's fellowship, 1968-70
B.1.3.3 American College of Surgeons
Correspondence; newsletters; congress papers;
CNB's application form - detailed career history, 1962-71
B.1.3.4
American Heart Association
Correspondence and newsletters
1961-68
B.1.3.5 Association of Surgeons of South Africa
Correspondence re first AGM 1972
Also programme of events including summary of papers to be read.
B.1.3.6 Carnegie Corporation of New York
application for travel grant, 1963
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Mainly about research into experimental methods & materials relating to heart surgery. Some professional articles and papers sent to CNB by colleagues are included.
B.1.4.1 South Africa
General:
including notification of new practices, change of address etc., 1968-69
B.1.4.2 UK, Europe, Asia, Australsia
General:
1960-71
A-Z [no C, N, O, P, Q, R, S]
Specific:
Brock, Sir Russell (Medical doctor at Guy's Hospital, London)
Correspondence, 1960-68
De Balsac, Dr R Heim (French Cardiologist)
Correspondence, 1959-71
B.1.4.3 USA, Canada, South America
General:
Chronologically arranged, 1950s - 1977
Specific:
Frater, Dr R W M (American surgeon)
Correspondence re exchange of ideas & exchange of experimental material, 1959-68
Kirklin, Professor J W (Colleague of CNB when at Mayo University, USA)
Correspondence - exchange of ideas re cardiac surgery & materials, 1959-72
Kubicek, Professor W G (University of Minnesota, Medical Dept.)
Correspondence re drug research (to solve transplant rejection) & Impedence Cardiography technology, 1968-70
Maciel, Professor Mary (of School of Medical Illustration at the University of Cincinnati)
Visit to UCT Medical School
Correspondence
July/August 1969
Varco, Dr Richard L (CNB colleague at University of Minnesota)
Correspondence re new surgical procedures & equipment.
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Including letters of congratulation; requests for financial help, donations/photos/autographs; requests for sponsorship; comments on CNB lectures; Friends of Italy newsletters; invitations; get-well-soon cards (road accident December 1972); etc.Copies of letters from CNB thanking senders for gifts. Also some private messages from personal friends. Some newsclippings and photographs are included.
B.2.1 South Africa
B.2.1.1 1969-72
A – N only
B.2.1.2 1973-75
A – M only
B.2.1.3 1976-77
H, I, J, V, W only
B.2.1.4 1992
Letters from the public – 25th anniversary of the first heart transplant
B.2.2 UK, Europe, Asia, Australasia
B.2.2.1 1960-72
A-Z [no C, O, P, Q, R, S]
B.2.2.2 1974-75
A-Z
B.2.2.3 1976-78
A-M only
B.2.3 USA, Canada, South America
B.2.3.1 1958-71
C, D, E, F, H, I, J, K, N, O, PQ, R, S
B.2.3.2 1972-75
L, M, N, O, P, Q, R, S, T, U, V, W, XYZ
B.2.3.3 1976-77
A,B,C,D; J,K,L,M; P,R,S,T,V,W
B.2.3.4 1968
School children’s letters
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C.1.1 1968
Iran
Honorary Doctorate from Pahlavi University
Scrapbook of clippings
Whole newspapers
Maps
C.1.2 March 1972 - Durban
CNB guest speaker at SA Junior Sportsman of the Year award ceremony
Correspondence, itinerary, photographs
C.1.3 March 1972
Jansenville (SA)
Includes judging of baby competition; and Marino Queen competition
Correspondence, clippings, photographs
C.1.4 April/May 1972
Germany/Romania/New York/UK
Correspondence, itineraries, clippings
C.1.5 June 1972 Bloemfontein
CNB guest of honour at banquet and cancer appeal
Correspondence, itinerary, banquet programme
C.1.6 June 1972 East London
CNB guest speaker at Selborne College Centenary
Correspondence, programme
C.1.7 September 1972 Port Elizabeth
CNB guest of honour at Press Ball
Correspondence, menu, newspapers
C.1.8 September 1972 Windhoek
CNB guest of honour at 14th Annual Show
SWA Yearbook 1972, correspondence, itinerary
C.1.9 November 1972 Greece (private visit), Israel, Italy (private visit)
Correspondence, itineraries, clippings
Variety Club of Israel 5th Anniversary Dinner menu inscribed by Golda Meir
C.1.10 July 1973 London
TV discussion programme, lectures
Correspondence, itineraries, clippings
C.1.11 Sept./Oct.1974 France & Italy
Letters 1975-77
C.1.12 June 1974; July 1975 Upington (private motoring holiday)
Touring documents, maps etc.
C.1.13 May/June 1975 Italy, Spain
Correspondence, address lists, itineraries, clippings, photographs
June 1975 Paris press – newsclippings
C.1.14 January 1976 India
Correspondence, itinerary, published articles, notes for lectures
clippings, photographs, memorabilia
C.1.15 July 1977 America (via Athens & Rhodes, Greece)
Correspondence, itinerary, lecture transcripts (lectures on CNB's opinion on medical and also SA political matters), photographs
C.1.16 September 1977 Columbia
Correspondence (including advice on arthritis cures), address lists, book of clippings, memorabilia
C.1.17 June/July 1979
Europe and America
Small collection - address list, flight schedule, photographs
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C.2.1 1973-74
Invitations to present lectures, be guest of honour, attend social functions etc
Correspondence, itineraries, social engagement schedules
(separate folders for those accepted and those declined)
C.2.2 1976
Invitations to present lectures, be guest of honour, attend social functions etc.
Correspondence, itineraries, social engagement schedules
(separate folders for those accepted and those declined)
NB pre 1974 invitations included in general correspondence
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D.1 Porphyria and Renal Metabolic Research Group
Reports & motivations (for staff, funding, equipment) to Medical Research Council. Some publications lists.
- notes and typed copy
1970-81
D.2 Journals & publications
South African & overseas journals + foreign language journals
in which articles about CNB appear
The American Club of Paris Yearbook 1913-1914
Current Contents: Life Sciences, Vol.12 no.48 Dec.1969
Elseviers Weekblad, 24e Jaargang no.5 Feb.1968
Hospitaal/Hospital RSA, Vol.1 no.1 March 1968
Medical World News, Vol.15 no.39 Nov.1974
South African Journal of Hospital Medicine, Vol.1 no.2 July 1975
Steroid Therapy : a clinical update for the 1970s
Unity Promotions & NRA presents Nandi Duggals
Kishore Kumar Show [1976
Unity Promotions presents Live Show in Africa [1976]
Who’s Zoo? A light-hearted look at wildlife and animals
Ortopedici e Sanitari, Anno 5 no.45 Feb.1968 [Italy]
Por Que?, Ano II no.2 [1968 – Peru]
2 Iraqi journals – one with CNB on cover & one with article
[written in Arabic]
Chirurgia najczesciej spotykanych wrodzonych wad serca
[Polish? translation of a textbook written by CNB & V Schrire]
Magnetismo cientifico universal [inscribed to CNB by author]
[Columbia, South America]
NB. Some medical articles are included in correspondence with colleagues
D.3 Newspaper & clippings [in foreign languages]
D.4 Correspondence of Marius Barnard
re “Parachute Debate” 1976
re visit of Rumanian gymnast Nadia Comaneci, 1978
Other correspondence, 1975-6
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In the "All Things UCT Collection" staff series, there are folders of newspaper clippings and photographs related to Chris Barnard; and in the subject series, there are folders related to Groote Schuur Hospital and heart transplants.
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A few members of the Heart Team at work, Groote Schuur Hospital, University of Cape Town Medical School, during 1967. The photograph (taken by Terrence J McNally) was used in a card acknowledging donations to the Chris Barnard Research Fund and was signed by Dr Marius Barnard on behalf of Prof Christiaan Neethling Barnard. The verso of the card reflects the names of the members of Groote Schuur Hospital' s Heart Transplant Team on 3 December 1967, the date on which the historic first human heart transplant operation took place at the hospital.
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A few members of the Heart Team at work, Groote Schuur Hospital, University of Cape Town Medical School, during 1967. The photograph (taken by Terrence J McNally) was used in a card acknowledging donations to the Chris Barnard Research Fund and was signed by Dr Marius Barnard on behalf of Prof Christiaan Neethling Barnard. The verso of the card reflects the names of the members of Groote Schuur Hospital' s Heart Transplant Team on 3 December 1967, the date on which the historic first human heart transplant operation took place at the hospital.
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A list of names of members of the Heart Transplant Team of Groote Schuur Hospital, University of Cape Town Medical School, on 3 December 1967, the date on which the historic first human heart transplant operation took place at the hospital. The list was published in the South African Medical Journal on 30 December 1967, and was used on the back of a card acknowledging donations to the Chris Barnard Research Fund during 1968.
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