Page 14 - HKU Surgery 110 Anniversary E-Book

I am profoundly honoured to extend my sincerest congratulations
to the Department of Surgery of the Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine
at The University of Hong Kong on the momentous occasion of its
110 anniversary. This milestone is a testament to an extraordinary
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legacy of leadership and a distinguished century of unwavering
commitment to medical excellence.
The Department has served as a cornerstone of surgical
education, cultivating generations of exceptional surgeons and
clinicians. This mission is shared closely with the Hospital Authority
(HA), with whom we have forged an enduring and indispensable
partnership in safeguarding the health of the Hong Kong public. The
Department’s major teaching hospital, Queen Mary Hospital, stands as a pillar of this collaboration,
where the HA provides essential clinical training and education . A great many graduates continue
their careers within our public hospital network, thereby fortifying the quality and capacity of our
healthcare system with their invaluable expertise.
Beyond its pivotal role in cultivating world-class surgical talent, the Department is a hub
for accomplished experts who seamlessly integrate clinical practice with pioneering research. This
integrated paradigm of teaching, research, and clinical service ensures the agile translation of the
latest medical breakthroughs into daily practice. This synergy elevates the standard of care across
our healthcare system and guarantees that patients consistently benefit from surgical treatments of
the highest international calibre.
Today, we stand at the threshold of a transformative era in healthcare, propelled by innovations
such as artificial intelligence and robotic-assisted surgery. The field is witnessing the application
of AI in predictive analytics for patient outcomes, objective assessment of surgical skills, and even
intraoperative guidance . Concurrently, robotic surgery continues to redefine precision in minimally
invasive procedures, enhancing patient recovery and surgical efficacy . I am confident that the
Department will continue to lead the way, nurturing professional surgeons who remain deeply
attuned to the needs of their patients while embracing these innovations to strengthen the quality,
safety, and efficiency of clinical services.
I eagerly anticipate ever closer collaboration with the Department as it embarks on its next
century of excellence. Together, we look forward to a future bright with medical discovery, guided
by an uncompromising dedication to serving the people of Hong Kong with compassion, expertise,
and a reassuring human touch.
I wish you a joyous anniversary celebration.
Dr Libby Lee
Chief Executive
Hospital Authority
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It is my immense honour to share in the joy and wonder of the
Department’s 110 Anniversary celebration. While truly magnificent,
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let’s pause and reflect together on this remarkable journey over
time which is marked by innovation, excellence, and an unwavering
commitment to surgical practice and education advancement
throughout.
Since its inception, the Department has been playing a pivotal
role in shaping the landscape of medical education and clinical practice
in Hong Kong and beyond. One of the most notable milestones was
the performance of the first ever liver transplant in Asia in 1991, a
landmark achievement that established HKU and the Department
as a global leader in hepatobiliary and transplant surgery. This was
followed by pioneering work in living donor liver transplantation, which has since become a life-
saving option for patients with end-stage liver disease. Building on these achievement strongholds
and clinical expertise, Queen Mary Hospital is renowned as Hospital Authority’s sole liver transplant
centre in Hong Kong.
The Department has also made groundbreaking contributions in cancer surgery. Its
multidisciplinary approach to treating gastrointestinal, breast, as well as head and neck cancer
has set benchmark for comprehensive cancer care. Amongst others, there has been pioneer in the
use of sentinel lymph node biopsy in breast cancer, reducing the need for extensive lymph node
dissection and minimising complications for patients. Another notable area of clinical excellence
relates to trauma and critical care surgery. The development of advanced protocols for managing
severe injuries and complex trauma cases has earned recognition of the Department as a regional
centre of excellence. On recognition, the HA Outstanding Team Award in 2023 for the Neonatal
Surgical Service Team at QMH, led by Professor Kenneth Wong, came as a perfect demonstration
of wide recognition of the clinical excellence and commitment of the Team and the Department.
In addition to these clinical achievements, the Department has also been a leader in research
and innovation. On innovation, its work in areas such as cancer biology, regenerative medicine, and
surgical robotics have all been translated into new therapies and technologies that benefit patients
worldwide. On research, I understand that the Department’s researchers have published extensively
in high-impact journals, contributing to the global advancement of surgical knowledge.
Lastly, education has remained a cornerstone of the Department’s mission. Over the years,
generations of surgeons who have become leaders in their fields, both locally and internationally,
have been trained. The Department’s commitment to ethical practice, patient-centered care, and
continuous learning ensures that its graduates are equipped to meet the evolving challenges of
modern surgery.
All in all, please join me in congratulating the Department for these great milestones and
achievements. Together I am confident that we can strive to make a lasting impact in clinical services
and enhance further the lives of our patients in Hong Kong West Cluster and territory-wide.
Dr Theresa Li
Cluster Chief Executive
Hong Kong West Cluster
Hospital Authority
Department of Surgery 110 Anniversary | 15
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