Page 77 - HKU Surgery 110 Anniversary E-Book

Chapter IV. A Centre of Excellence

he 1980s marked the start of a The path to success was initially a hard at Ong’s elbow and conducted research
phenomenal period of growth grind for Professor Wong because that inspired others to improve their
Tacross multiple fronts. In while GB Ong had lit a fire under the research skills and pursue an MS.
medicine, new scientific discoveries Department, the physical conditions When he became Head in 1982, Wong
and technologies were improving patient
outcomes and opening new pathways for remained adverse. When Wong took could see that medicine was heading
research, particularly in the laboratory. over in 1982, hospital wards were towards greater specialisation and
Economically, globalisation was breaking still crammed with camp beds, and more laboratory-based research, so
down barriers and making it easier for research was rudimentary because he began to position the Department
cross-boundary exchanges and trade. few people on staff had been properly to move in those directions, while
The door to China opened wider as trained to do rigorous investigations. setting the highest standards of
the country welcomed expertise and Over the next 26 years, Wong would excellence.
investment to help it grow. Closer to
home, Hong Kong was booming, which apply himself to raising the bar and
encouraged the government to invest bringing the Department into the The success that followed was helped
more in higher education and the 21st century. by his long tenure – he served
healthcare sector. until 2008 – which by Wong’s own
Wong arrived at HKU from the reckoning enabled him to provide
Some challenges also appeared alongside University of Sydney in 1975, long term support for projects and
these opportunities. The flood of new Professor John Wong. initially as a visiting scholar. He only draw on his vast network of contacts
knowledge put pressures on the MBBS
curriculum, which would undergo game, with very rewarding outcomes. intended to stay for a short period and resources to help staff realise
a major structural change. A new Under the Headship of Professor John to get a first-hand look at surgery their goals. Wong also shared with
competitor to HKU arrived with the Wong, researchers produced new in the city where he was born. But his predecessor a strong and feisty
opening of the Chinese University of discoveries that significantly improved he immediately saw that Hong Kong character, though not as legendarily
Hong Kong, which included a medical patient outcomes in Hong Kong and needed him more than Sydney. hot-tempered as Ong.
faculty. Hospitals remained overcrowded globally. Several of our academics
and government funding for research became leaders in their fields and in During his first seven years at HKU,
was inadequate, problems which would society. Wong also launched the Hong Wong learned about the Department
start to be addressed in the 1990s with the Kong Surgical Forum, bringing many
establishment of the Hospital Authority of the biggest stars of the surgical world
and Research Grants Council. The brain to Hong Kong. All of this was guided
drain in the years leading up to 1997 also by a clear mission: train academic staff
created some staffing issues. in specialities and research methods,
provide them with structure and support,
Nonetheless, the Department of Surgery and let them fly.
was able to seize its moment and up its

“Excellence in the field of medicine and particularly in surgery is not a one-man “We needed outside input, a breath of fresh air with unconventional ideas
show… Excellence can only be reached when everyone engaged in the task agrees to to move the Department forward.”
it and is committed to it. Excellence is the core of those who strive for it. Excellence - Professor CH Leong in the Festschrift for Professor John Wong -
is in their DNA, and that DNA is in the department of surgery.”
- Professor John Wong -

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