Introduction

The Institute of Cardiovascular Science and Medicine (ICSM) is a multi-departmental Centre of Excellence designated by the University of Hong Kong and located in the Faculty of Medicine. The ICSM was established by a group of cardiovascular researchers in June 1996, with the aim of achieving academic/research excellence in cardiovascular sciences and medicine, which would bring international recognition, and at the same time, reduce the mortality and morbidity of cardiovascular disease. The Founding Members were Professors C.P. Lau (convenor), G.W. He, A.J. Hedley, E.D. Janus, C.R. Kumana, D.C.Y. Kwan, M.P. Leung, R.Y.K. Man, T.M. Wong, and Drs A.K.T. Chau, B.M.Y. Cheung and D.S.W. Ho.

The Institute's mission is to be a centre of excellence in research, teaching and training in cardiovascular science, and in the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular disease in Hong Kong. The distinctive feature of the Institute is its belief in the union of science and medicine; that basic and clinical research should not be separate and that scientific knowledge should be applied to health care.
The objectives of the Centre are to promote integration and collaboration among scientists and cliniciansin the cardiovascular field at the University of Hong Kong and other medical centres in Hong Kong; to establish effective communications with China and the global community through academic exchanges and scientific meetings; and to strive for excellence in research, education and clinical service.

Our major objective is to reverse the upward trend in cardiovascular mortality and morbidity and promote a healthy society and a good quality of life in Hong Kong and China. We will achieve this objective through active research, the outcome of which will be disseminated to the medical and healthcare profession and to the public.