Page 126 - HKU Surgery 110 Anniversary E-Book

Chapter V. Embracing the Modern Age

Professor Simon Law, 2023-present

Professor Stephen Cheng, 2017-2023

Professor Stephen Cheng, MBBS as a new specialty under the Hong Kong
(HK), MS (HK), FRCS (Eng), FRCSEd, Academy of Medicine.
FCSHK, FHKAM (Surgery), Chief of
Vascular Surgery and Director of the Professor Cheng took up the Headship
Francis YH Tien Vascular Disease Centre, in part from a sense of duty. “It’s part
is the longest-serving member of the of your responsibility when you’re in
Department, having graduated in 1984 the Department long enough. It was
and joined as an intern in 1985. He was also a chance to see if I could take the
drawn to surgery because he likes doing Department further.” He had his work
things with his hands – he is known for cut out for him in unexpected ways.
the exceptional drawings in his operation During his tenure, he dealt with major Professor Simon Law, MBBChir medicine – not a dictatorial one. “Our
records – and because of a desire to excel. issues beyond the focus of surgery, (Cantab), MS (HK), PhD (HK), FRCSEd, field is constantly evolving and no one
“I was of the mindset that I wanted to including COVID-19 which caused huge FCSHK, FHKAM (Surgery), graduated can be good at everything. Even within
be in the best department and there was disruptions to teaching and service, and from the University of Cambridge and their own specialty, a doctor is bound
no question at the time that the best the ongoing expansion of Queen Mary returned to HKU to start his postgraduate to have weaknesses. This is why a team
department of surgery is here at Queen and Grantham hospitals, which required training, where he has remained ever should help one another. I hope our team
Mary Hospital. It’s a hard life and you many additional meetings. “It’s not about since. He took up the mantle from John members can develop their strengths and
give up a lot, but there are other obvious fun, I would say that. That was part of the Wong as Chief of Oesophageal and surpass me. Rather than expecting my
benefits,” he said. challenge during my six years.” Upper Gastrointestinal Surgery, and juniors to follow my ways, I encourage
he has pursued research that focuses them to explore new methods. My

Professor Cheng served under Professor on benign and malignant disorders philosophy is that we should give new
John Wong – because he had the best of the upper gastrointestinal tract. He doctors more opportunities to unleash
team – and specialised in vascular surgery pioneered minimally invasive surgery of their potential,” he said. When he took
in part because Wong pointed him in the foregut and was the first to report on up the Headship of the Department,
that direction. It provided him with results on video-assisted thoracoscopic one thing he has emphasized on is the
opportunities, particularly as he was oesophagectomy in Hong Kong. For his recruitment of young talents, both on
the only specialist in this field for years. achievements, he is recognised globally, the academic tract as well as to the
As a result, he played a key role in the being honorary member of the American Hospital Authority. He strives to create an
development of vascular surgery in Hong Surgical Association (ASA), European environment conducive to attracting and
Kong, establishing the first non-invasive Surgical Association (ESA), as well as the retaining staff, and for them to develop
Vascular Laboratory at Queen Mary Australia Aotearoa New Zealand Gastric their career. He has also established a
Hospital and receiving many honours, & Oesophageal Surgery Association team to enhance social media presence
including election as Distinguished (AANZGOSA). He was a past President of the Department. He has the onerous
Fellow and Honorary Member of the of the International Society of Diseases tasks of overseeing the establishment of
Society for Vascular Surgery, for such of the Esophagus (ISDE). the new Clinical Building 1 as the home
work as pioneering the development of for surgical wards and operating theatres
endovascular aortic stent grafting for One thing Professor Law has focused at Queen Mary Hospital, and will be
aortic aneurysms and dissections in on over the years is mentoring young overseeing the transition of Grantham
Southeast Asia. In 2022, he succeeded doctors, particularly in the face of Hospital as a new home for surgery from
in getting vascular surgery recognised advances in technology and knowledge, Tung Wah Hospital.
and encouraging a team approach to

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