Page 136 - HKU Surgery 110 Anniversary E-Book

Chapter V. Embracing the Modern Age

Message from Residents

As we honour our past, we remain focused on the future: upholding the
values that brought us here, and continuing to serve with integrity, skill,
and compassion.

Dr Justin Ho:

Returning to Hong Kong as a United Kingdom graduate to pursue my
surgical training and join the Department of Surgery at The University of
Hong Kong has been a pivotal moment in my professional career.

Throughout my transition, the Department and my mentors have been
exceptionally supportive, demonstrating patience and providing invaluable
guidance at every stage. I have been profoundly impressed by the remarkable
breadth and variety of training opportunities available, and I am particularly
inspired by the Department’s pioneering adoption of novel surgical
techniques and technological advancements, most notably in the field of
robotic surgery.

I am therefore immensely excited and look forward with great anticipation
to continuing my training and advancing my surgical career here.
A networking happy hour for senior and junior medical staff in September 2025.
Dr Henry Lee:

Dr Herman Cheng: Queen Mary Hospital has been an inspiring place to train, combining its role
as a teaching institution with strong encouragement for research, allowing
Surgical training can be challenging, but I am grateful to undertake mine me to develop comprehensive knowledge beyond the clinical setting. The
in this department. It is where I am taught that I should not aspire to be hospital’s diverse expertise, enriched by professionals worldwide, enables
an operator inside the operating theatre, but a compassionate surgeon in us to approach medical challenges from multiple perspectives, broadening
front of the patient, one that sacrifices and strives to give hope to those in insight and practice. As a trainee, the opportunity to teach medical students
need. During these starting days of my surgical career, as I cherished the has been invaluable, allowing me to pass on lessons while reflecting on
opportunities that my mentors have generously provided, I have grown to my own growth. This cycle of learning and teaching fosters continuous
embrace the mistakes I make to change for the better. The department’s improvement and reinforces the value of humility, collaboration, and
rich academic tradition has also instilled confidence in me to be part of lifelong learning.
the effort for academic excellence and the betterment of our healthcare
system. It’s a privilege to be part of the team.
Dr Luk Yan:
Dr Alvina Fok: Our Department’s 110th anniversary marks decades of dedication and
excellence in surgical training and patient care. One of the privileges of
As we mark the 110th anniversary of our Department of Surgery, we celebrate being part of our Department is that it offers ample opportunities for us to
a legacy of dedication and unwavering commitment to patient care. participate in research projects early in our surgical career and to attend
In my five years of general surgical training, this department has become overseas conferences, engaging in academic exchanges. These experiences
more than a workplace: it is a team, united by the shared purpose of allow us to establish valuable connections with global experts, inspire
achieving the best outcomes for our patients. There have been countless innovations and to integrate research into clinical practice, optimising
sleepless nights spent in the operating theatre, working side by side with patient outcomes in turn. As we embrace new surgical technologies and
colleagues – both mentors and peers – driven by a common purpose to help upcoming challenges, may we continue to raise the standard of care for our
and to heal. In these moments, I’ve witnessed first-hand the commitment patients and to strive for greater heights of success.
and resilience that define our department.

136 | Department of Surgery 110 Anniversary Department of Surgery 110 Anniversary | 137
th
th