Posted 5 May 2026
SVI honours the life of Dorothy Kunstadt (née Rubinstein), who passed away peacefully on May 1, 2026.
Dorothy practiced clinical cardiology at the highest level for many decades, with an intense focus on applying the latest advances to the well-being of her patients, to clinical decision-making, and the education of young doctors.
She graduated in Medicine at the University of Melbourne in 1958 and worked as a medical registrar at Heidelberg Repatriation Hospital. She continued her cardiology training at the Alfred and then moved to Boston to work at Harvard Medical School, subsequently going on to practice in New York City for many decades.
Dorothy came to Australia as a teenager, with her mother and sister after World War Two. As one of the first female cardiologists in Australia, she was a trailblazer. She spent her career focused on prevention and treatment of coronary artery disease as a major cause of premature death in the community.
In 2025, Dorothy and her family, in partnership with the Kay family, made a generous donation to establish the Kunstadt-Kay Oration, an endowed lectureship to honour the legacy of Dorothy, and her mentor, Henry “Ted” Kay, and ensure that her immigrant story and their contributions are remembered and can inspire future generations of medical professionals. The first lecture will be held in late 2026.
Dorothy is survived by her husband, Herbert, sister, Helen Alter, and family.