Professor John Wallwork
 

The Pioneering Heart Transplant Surgeon, Professor John Wallwork is set to retire, John grew up in Ossy and lived in fielding lane Ossy in his early years Educated at Accrington Grammar School, before studying medicine, first at Edinburgh then at Stamford University In the California with Professor Norman Shumway known as the father of heart transplants.

He carried out the first successful Heart and Lung Transplant in Europe in 1984 at the Papworth Hospital in Cambridge , and the first Heart, Lung and liver transplant in the world in 1986.

In his Ossy days John was a good friend of mine and we frequented establishments such as Mount Pleasant Youth Club The Jazz Club at Peel Park and Accy Con. one of life's good guys and another of our locals who went on to great things and he actually made a difference to thousands of peoples lives

Re: Professor John Wallwork
 

He deserves a long and happy retirement.
He has made a difference to the lives of others.

Re: Professor John Wallwork
 

Just on a minor technical point, Jaysay, I would have thought the father of heart transplants was Christian Bernard.

Re: Professor John Wallwork
 

Barnard was the first to carry out a heart transplant, but Prof Wallwork took the procedure to new heights Tealeaf. I steam to remember one of his success stories was, the former Landlord of the White Bull in New Lane Ossy, I can only remember he was called John, but he had very serious heart problems in the early 80s and received a new heart at Papworth, which gave him and extra 10 years of life, just 1 of 3000 operations carried out by Professor Wallwork in a distinguished career

Re: Professor John Wallwork
 

Yeah...but I wasn't referring to Professor Wallwork...I was referring to messrs Shumway/Bernard and in the context of medical science. Bernard was the first one to pull off the stunt, and although his patient didn't last long thereafter, I think it is Bernard who claims the title of 'Father of Heart Transplants'.

Re: Professor John Wallwork
 

I think if you'd had a heart transplant you would regard it a little more seriously than "a stunt"! - and it't Barnard, not Bernard.

Re: Professor John Wallwork
 

Tealeaf being pedantic as usual;)

Re: Professor John Wallwork
 

Jay, were his parents regulars in the Stop & Rest? I seem to recall that my old fella was quite friendly with them.

Re: Professor John Wallwork
 

I wouldn't say they were regulars Wyn, but they did pop in occasionally his dad was called Tom, big tally guy with glasses he also had a brother called Martin can't remember his mother name, but I would have though your dad would have known them because they always stood at the bar if they were in there

Re: Professor John Wallwork
 

Thought so, cheers Jay. I've also just remembered that his mum taught me English at AGS.

Re: Professor John Wallwork
 

Thats right she was a teacher at Accy Grammar, I'd forgot that

Re: Professor John Wallwork
 

I think she might have been a year or so before my time. I remember meeting her briefly when I was over that side of the pond in '70. I remember John. He was in my year at Accy Grammar.

Re: Professor John Wallwork
 

Heard him on Radio 4 the other morning. Very interesting. Have to say my wife didn't seem too impressed when I said that his mother taught me English.

Re: Professor John Wallwork
 

Hell I missed that LinC, I would have thought he had retired from surgery now, he's 65 or 66 I know the last time I heard of him he was working on trying to use animal organs for human transplant, they were breading a special breed of pigs, but haven't heard anything about him for a while now

Re: Professor John Wallwork
 

It's high time I was trying AGAIN to make contact with him, now knowing that his mother, who might still be alive, was a teacher at AGS