WA has lost one of its most respected and ‘generous of heart’ cardiologists, Professor Peter Thompson.
He passed away at home surrounded by family on October 25, two months shy of his 83rd birthday as a result of complications from metastatic melanoma.
Prof Thompson was active in his research right up until his last illness, publishing work in October on the use of colchicine for secondary prevention of ischaemic stroke and atherosclerotic events.
He was most recently consultant cardiologist and head of the Heart Research Institute at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, and Clinical Professor of Medicine at UWA.
He also served as Laboratory Head of Cardiology Clinical Trials at the Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research and was its deputy director until 2023.
Prof Thompson is survived by his wife of 57 years Jane, children James, Alexandrea and Angus and eight grandchildren.
Associate Professor Angus Thompson, also a cardiologist and based in Queensland, recalls that although his father was always busy, his first rule of politics was “be there.”
“He would tell me that you can’t change anything unless you are there to influence the decision- making,” he said. “Faxes followed by email made sharing of written information quicker, teleconferences reduced travel somewhat, and his pager soon gave way to the omniscient mobile phone.
“COVID introduced the ubiquitous video calls which continued to facilitate his research in the last four years, but the in-person touch never ended.”
Prof Thompson also adopted a second career as a winemaker, which led to the establishment of the successful Thompson Estate.
Perkins CEO Professor Peter Leedman said Prof Thompson would be remembered as a remarkable man.
“He was a pioneering cardiologist, brilliant researcher, passionate mentor and true friend to the Perkins, and he achieved so many things throughout his life,” Prof Leeman said.
“From establishing himself as one of Australia’s leading cardiologists to mentoring hundreds of clinicians and researchers to pioneering wine making in Margaret River, Peter embraced life, leadership and learning.
“Peter was a teacher, doctor, researcher and advocate. He was also a great friend to many including me. I feel truly privileged to have worked alongside him. I learnt so much from him.”
Prof Thompson graduated from medicine and did his postgraduate degree in medicine at UWA before training in cardiology at Royal Melbourne Hospital and the Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard University in Boston.
In addition to his leadership roles at SCGH and UWA, Prof Thompson held roles including President of the Cardiac Society of Australia and New Zealand, Deputy President of Asian Pacific Society of Cardiology, President of the Australian Medical Association WA, chair of the Heart Attack Committee and Board Member of the National Heart Foundation, and Asian Region Editor for European Heart Journal.
Prof Thompson had extensive experience in the training and mentoring of young cardiologists and clinical researchers. He sat on the editorial board of four cardiology journals and published extensively in peer-reviewed journals and authored over 270 research articles, reviews, book chapters and editorials.
Director-General of Health Dr Shirley Bowen said Prof Thompson was “a superb physician, a scholar and a gentleman in all his pursuits.”
“Dedicated to improving the lives of his patients, Prof Thompson has received numerous awards and accolades but was never one to look for praise,” she said.
Prof Thompson was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia in the Queen’s Birthday 1998 Honours List for services to medicine, particularly in the field of cardiology and coronary care.
ED: I have known Peter for decades and he helped me when I was a young ‘green’ health reporter trying to get my head around the intricacies of cardiovascular disease. He gave his time freely, wanting to help to better educate people about heart risks and prevention to save lives – and he did.