Dr Willie Koen (left) and his son Dr Johan Koen (right) in the theatre at Netcare Christiaan Barnard Memorial Hospital, where they form South Africa's only known father-son cardiac surgery team. Willie, who trained under Professor Barnard and performed the country's first mechanical heart transplant, now shares life-saving techniques with Johan, who brings cutting-edge methods from Toronto's elite cardiac programmes. Together, they're tackling cardiovascular disease, South Africa's number one killer.
In the high-stakes, sterile environment of Netcare Christiaan Barnard Memorial Hospital, a unique echo rings out across the operating theatre. When a call goes out for 'Dr Koen', two pairs of eyes look up from the table in unison. Rather than causing confusion, it signifies a finely tuned partnership tackling cardiovascular disease—South Africa’s number one killer.
Dr Willie Koen is a living legend in South African medicine. Trained by heart transplant pioneer Professor Christiaan Barnard, Willie made history in 1998 by performing the country’s first mechanical heart transplant. Today, he operates alongside his son, Dr Johan Koen, a cardiothoracic, transplant and mechanical circulatory support specialist who recently returned from refining his skills at Toronto’s elite cardiac centres. Together, they form what is believed to be the nation’s only active father-son cardiac surgery duo.
