From the sugarcane plantations to the University of Melbourne
Achievements

From the sugarcane plantations to the University of Melbourne

James Tatoulis is an internationally acclaimed heart surgeon and an Associate Professor in the Department of Surgery at the University of Melbourne.

Tatoulis’s family was one of many Greek families that decided to leave Greece and seek for a new life in the Promised Land. When the ocean liner was crossing the Suez Canal, James was at the early age of 4,5, bearing unrealistic hopes, as they would later realize that the authorities were planning immediate transportation of the immigrants to the sugarcane plantations in Queensland. Soon, James’s father successfully escaped the immigration camp and got a job in Melbourne. Tatoulis’s family organized their life in the big city and James got easily adapted.

James Tatoulis graduated the University of Melbourne, repeatedly distinguished and awarded during his school and academic years and later on, he also received his master’s and doctorate from the same university. Since 1988, Tatoulis has been the Head and Director of the Royal Melbourne Hospital Cardiology Department and since 2008 he holds the position of Associate Professor in the Department of Surgery at the University of Melbourne.

Professor Tatoulis is internationally accomplished in cardiothoracic surgery and also named Chief Medical Adviser of the National Heart Foundation of Australia.

COMMENTS

  Comments: 2

  1. The most amazing man I have met, a thorough GENTLEMAN. 1986 emergency thoracic surgery after a cycling accident while racing. I had 3 smashed ribs 2 cracked ribs, a punctured lung and damaged lung.
    In 2004 he performed bypass surgery after I was diagnosed with 6 blockages at the age of 53.

    THANK YOU Mr. Tatoulis.


  2. James Freebairn

    Professor Tatoulis and Mr Michael O’Keefe both assisted in an operation which did literally save my life after an unexpected complication following earlier surgery on the 17th December 2019. The manner in which he and his team all worked together is the sole reason I am able to write this commendation to them all. At 78 years of age they certainly had a job on their hands, I and everyone else are so lucky to have such dedicated professionals looking after us, thank you from the bottom of my (new heart).
    You both will always have a special place in my heart.


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