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Marie Bashir (Professor The Honourable Dame Marie Bashir AD, CVO) - Vale, January 2026

Vale Professor The Honourable Dame Marie Bashir AD, CVO

We are deeply saddened to share the passing of Dame Marie Bashir AD, CVO, who died on 20 January 2026 at the age of 95. Dame Marie served with distinction as Patron of The Baird Institute for many years, before the commencement of our current Patron, the Hon. Michael Kirby AC CMG.

Read more about Marie Bashir

About the Baird Institute

The Baird Institute was established in honour of Professor Douglas K Baird, to continue his life saving work and research, driving medical breakthroughs in heart and lung surgery.

Professor Baird, or Doug, as he was more commonly known, understood that people need to work together and share knowledge in order to unearth new information and continually improve upon the knowledge of the past.

His passion still inspires us to work together to make life better for critically ill people.

Yet, just as our patients need our surgeons, our surgeons and researchers need you by our side, so we can continue Doug’s vital work – together.

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Improving Patient Outcomes

Every year The Baird Institute aims to improve outcomes for patients facing heart and lung surgery through pro-active research, investigation and innovation.

See how we are helping those with heart and lung disease receive life saving treatment.

Read Patient Stories
Patient Story Aaran
Patient Story Kate
Patient Story Ahmad
Patient Story Rebecca
Patient Story Simon
Patient Story Jivani
Patient Story Louis

Who was Professor Baird?

Professor Douglas K Baird AM MBBS FRACS was a talented cardiothoracic surgeon and researcher who dedicated his life to making sure surgical outcomes were continually measured and improved for the benefit of all.

The legacy Professor Baird left behind is beyond measurement. Though you may not be aware of it, his work has benefited countless families and communities like yours.

In Australia, diseases of the heart, lung and blood vessels kill more people than any other disease.

Heart Disease is the number one killer of women and more deadly than all forms of cancer combined.

The Baird Institute is the only dedicated cardiothoracic surgical training and research institute in Australia.

We receive no government funding and rely on the generosity of people like you to continue Doug’s work.

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Heart to Heart will be published twice a year with the aim being to keep you updated on all that is happening in research and training at The Baird Institute.

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Subscribe to our Heart to Heart Newsletter to keep up with the latest developments in heart and lung research from The Baird Institute.

Honour a Loved One

  • Fundraise in memory of someone special to you.

Challenge Yourself

  • Run a marathon
  • Do a long bike ride
  • Walk 10km each day for a month
  • Do 50 sit ups every day for a week
  • Join an organised event such as the City to Surf

Organise a community event

  • Have a backyard sausage sizzle
  • Host a trivia night

Seek sponsorship to help you quit those bad habits

  • Give up smoking
  • Refrain from alcohol for a month or more

Celebrate Through Giving

  • Choose to give on your birthday: Instead of giving you gifts, ask your friends and family to donate to The Baird Institute.
  • Say “I do” to improving the lives of heart and lung patients: Invite guests to donate to The Baird Institute on your wedding day
  • Turn anniversaries or personal milestones into fundraising events.

Create a CrowdRaiser on GiveNow

  1. Go to CrowdRaiser for The Baird Institute.
  2. Scroll down towards the end of the page to the MY CROWDRAISER box.  Click on the button “CrowdRaise Now”.
  3. Create your CrowdRaiser. Fill in the requested details.
  4. Customise your campaign. Add images and messages to make your CrowdRaiser unique.
  5. Share the link to your fundraising page via email, social media, or any way you like.
  6. Let us know via [email protected] that you have created a fundraiser so we can say thank you.

Join a community passionate about making a difference. GiveNow provides a dedicated platform for Australian charities, ensuring your efforts directly support our mission.

Start a Facebook Fundraiser

  1. Go to Facebook fundraisers.
  2. Click on the blue button – “Select nonprofit”
  3. Search for and select The Baird Institute
  4. Set your fundraising target
  5. Choose your campaign end date & a title for your Fundraiser
  6. Personalise your fundraiser: Use the existing wording and photos or choose your own.
  7. Click on ‘Create’.
  8. Invite friends and family. Share the link for your fundraiser and encourage others to contribute.
  9. Let us know via [email protected] that you have created a fundraiser so we can say thank you.

Celebrate where your friends and family connect. Leverage your social network to make a real impact.