02 Feature 專題故事 Building Dreams for 135 Years 築夢杏林 成就可能 28 Feature + 專題+ A Long Road Ahead Passing Down the Torch 任重道遠 薪火承傳 Editorial Team Editor-in-Chief Ada Leung Wing-yee Managing Editors Cecile Kung Gloria Lam Executive Editor Annie Lam Assistant Editors Adrian Chan Christiana Ho Feature Writer Kathleen Griffin Feature + Writer Helen Choy Feature Chinese Translator Jumbo Tsang Photographers Ringo Tang Yankov Wong Cover Illustration by Noble Wong@Noble Sketchbook 40 Achievements 獎項與成就 44 Activities and Events 活動紀要 47 People 人物 Hello 新臉孔 Appointments and Promotions 任命與晉升 In Remembrance 永遠懷念 Alumni News 校友活動 Student Achievements 學生成就 Student Activities 學生活動 55 Donations 捐贈者名單 58 Art & Culture 藝文空間 60 Special Announcement 活動預告 www.med.hku.hk All rights reserved 2021 If you wish to receive the digital version of HKUMed News, please complete the online form by scanning the above QR code 如欲接收電子版HKUMed News，請掃描二維碼並填寫網上表格
Building Dreams for 135 Years FEATURE HKUMed kicked off its 135th year with a birthday gift that the whole community can be proud of – in September, the Faculty was named among the top 20 best medical schools in the world by Times Higher Education supplement. Just a few weeks later, Clarivate Analytics released its list of the world’s most highly cited researchers which included 17 scholars from HKUMed (out of 31 across the whole university). 2
These achievements have been built on a legacy of vision and hard work by our predecessors and current members to provide a worldclass education and produce research of regional and global importance. Over the last three decades alone, we have achieved major research milestones, such as our contributions on SARS and COVID-19; reformed the curriculum; established closer ties with the Greater Bay Area (GBA), including operating the HKUShenzhen Hospital; and expanded our people numbers, including doubling undergraduate enrolment, nearly tripling research student and postdoctoral fellow numbers, and increasing staffing by nearly 75%. The outlook is even brighter as we are expanding our footprint in Hong Kong and Shenzhen, recruiting more staff to meet society’s growing demand for health innovations and trained professionals, and expanding our research programmes. ‘None of this would have been possible without the collective dedication and hard work of our students, alumni, Faculty colleagues, researchers, teachers, professional and administrative staff – and indeed, all those who came before us,’ said the Dean, Professor Gabriel Leung. in HK 香港 1st in Asia 亞洲 3rd scholars from HKUMed was listed the world’s most highly cited researchers by Clarivate Analytics 位港大醫學院學者獲科睿唯安選為 「2021年度最廣獲徵引研究人員」 17 increase in terms of staffing 教職員編制增長 75%+ 20th Worldwide 全球 Source: THE World University Rankings 2022 HKUMed’s Ranking by Subject in Clinical and Health 3 HKUMed News Winter 2021
The Hong Kong College of Medicine for Chinese was founded in 1887 to provide science-based medical care for the indigenous local Chinese population. That original mission has carried through to today and radiated in the past 40 years to the GBA and, through our research, to the world. A big part of that achievement has been the leadership provided within the Faculty by its deans – most of them HKU graduates – who have shown fortitude in overcoming challenges and foresight in seizing opportunities as soon as they arose. Resources have often been the biggest obstacle. HKU’s first female dean and first dean to graduate from HKUMed, Professor Rosie Young Tse-tse (MBBS 1953, MD 1959, Dean 1983-84), faced demands from the UK General Medical Council, which accredited HKU’s programmes at the time, to reduce the size of practicum classes and introduce specialities such as ophthalmology and otorhinolaryngology. The government did not provide additional resources for this, so she turned to alumni for help. ‘At that time, most practising doctors in Hong Kong were graduates of HKU and they were very enthusiastic, devoted and eager to come back and teach the next generation of doctors at their own cost.’ Professor Rosie Young The Momentum of Success FEATURE ‘At that time, most practising doctors in Hong Kong were graduates of HKU and they were very enthusiastic, devoted and eager to come back and teach the next generation of doctors at their own cost. All we could give them was an honorary title,’ she said. ‘For small classes in practicum, we worked closely with the new medical school at The Chinese University of Hong Kong to share some of our external consultants. In fact, we were more like partners than competitors.’ Her successor, Professor John Leong Chi-yan (MBBS 1965, Dean 1985-90), noted that the Professor John Leong Chi-yan (MBBS 1965, Dean 1985-90) Professor Rosie Young Tse-tse (MBBS 1953, MD 1959, Dean 1983-84) 1980s Faced demands from UK GMC to reduce the size of practicum classes and introduce specialties 4
lack of government support for research at a time when scientific discovery was making it possible to develop new treatments and understanding of disease made the Faculty dependent on the generosity of donors. ‘These might include patients, pharmaceutical companies, other benefactors and international funds,’ he said. Things would start to change the year after his deanship ended, in 1991, when the Research Grants Council was established with HKUMed’s Professor David Todd (MBBS 1952, MD 1958) as its first chairman. However, there was a bright spot alongside the resource crunch because a door was opening – literally so – to Mainland China. The hinterland was keen to engage with the world and welcome visitors and exchanges. Professor Leong and Professor Chow Shew-ping (MBBS 1968, MD 1988, Dean 1995-98) were both among the early visitors. Engagements would expand throughout the 1990s. More urgent problems demanded attention closer to home during this time, though – in particular, the stress of the medical curriculum and the lack of sufficient physical space to grow and develop. Professor Felice Lieh-mak (Dean 1991-92), a psychiatrist, noted the need for a new teaching approach: ‘Teaching needs to be interactive and practical. Students and teachers have to adapt and adjust themselves to the changes and be emotionally stable and resilient.’ Professor Ma Chung Ho-kei (MBBS 1958, Dean 1992-95) planted seeds for future change when she launched a curriculum review and secured government approval for a site at 21 Sassoon Professor Felice Lieh-mak (Dean 1991-92) Professor Chow Shew-ping (MBBS 1968, MD 1988, Dean 1995-98) Professor Ma Chung Ho-kei (MBBS 1958, Dean 1992-95) 1990s Engagements between HKUMed with mainland China and the world expanded 5 HKUMed News Winter 2021
Road, although not funding for a new building. It would be up to her two immediate successors to bring these initiatives to fruition and lay much of the groundwork for the modern faculty. Professor Chow persuaded academic staff to accept the adoption of problem-based learning (PBL – see next story), despite some initial resistance. This was a time when deans were still elected by their colleagues rather than appointed and he drew on the strong personal relations and trust he had developed with them over the years. ‘I graduated from the Faculty, so I know the culture and how people think. I think Faculty members could see that I was committed, visionary and willing to listen, and I did not work for my own interest,’ he said. He also organised funding for the new building complex. Professor Grace Tang Wai-king (MBBS 1971, Dean 1998-2001) was tasked with implementing both PBL and construction of the new building. Her no-nonsense style was a definite asset as she insisted there was no going back on either initiative. ‘We built the building because there was not enough space. We introduced the new curriculum because we realised the trend of medical education was changing towards more integration between specialties,’ she said. The new complex opened in 2002 and was important for research because it included an entire block with modern research facilities. Professor Lam Shiukum (MBBS 1967, MD 1975, Dean 2001-07), who became the Faculty’s first appointed executive dean, ramped up the research focus by helping to secure major donations (including $1 billion from Mr Li Ka-shing) and giving impetus to new research Elevations of Departments into Schools of 學系升格成學院 groupings. SARS also struck during his tenure, when HKUMed staff not only produced worldleading research but demonstrated exceptional commitment to patients. ‘Our senior professors went into the wards themselves and identified the people with SARS and treated them. They were very courageous and did a wonderful job,’ he said. A few years later, the Faculty had a low period with leadership instability and poor morale, but Professor Raymond Liang Hinsuen (MBBS 1979, MD 1990, Acting Dean 2007, Dean 2008) smoothed the waters and kept staff focused on their main purpose. ‘Business has to be as usual. We just carried on with what we were doing and kept the momentum going,’ he said. He was succeeded by Professor Lee Sum-ping (MBBS 1970, MD 1980, Dean 2008-13), who oversaw the elevation of several departments into schools, including the School of Nursing and School of Chinese Medicine in 2010 (they were joined by the School of Public Health in 2013 and School of Biomedical Sciences in 2015 which amalgamated the pre-clinical specialities under Professor Gabriel Leung’s deanship), and was in charge when the HKUShenzhen Hospital was planned and launched. He also placed emphasis on integrity, including the integrity of students through the Humanities and Medicine curriculum. ‘It took a couple of years to restore morale. After that, I just felt the Faculty was on fire. They knew we were going to achieve something great, not just for ourselves but for Hong Kong, as well as China and the rest of FEATURE Professor Grace Tang Wai-king (MBBS 1971, Dean 1998-2001) Professor Lam Shiu-kum (MBBS 1967, MD 1975, Dean 2001-07) Nursing 護理學院 2010 Chinese Medicine 中醫藥學院 2010 Public Health 公共衞生學院 2013 Biomedical Sciences 生物醫學學院 2015 6
4 Teaching hospitals managed by HKU Health System 間教學醫院由香港 大學醫療系統管理 the world,’ he said. The realisation of that potential has been unfolding under the leadership of Professor Gabriel Leung (MD 2003, Dean 2013-present), who has applied energy and vision to the unprecedented opportunities of the past few years. He has overseen the establishment of the HKU Health System to manage the network of teaching hospitals that now includes not only Queen Mary Hospital, but HKUShenzhen Hospital, Hong Kong Sanatorium & Hospital and, in 2017, the new Gleneagles Hospital. The curriculum has been updated so every medical student has an ‘Enrichment Year’ to expand their horizons beyond medicine and beyond Hong Kong. New scholarships have been introduced for students from less privileged backgrounds. And major new programmes have been launched in research, building development and recruitment. ‘This is a relay race, we pass the baton from one dean to the next,’ Professor Leung said. ‘Each of us has built on one another’s legacy, achievements and foundations to become one of the top 20 medical schools in the world today.’ Professor Raymond Liang Hin-suen (MBBS 1979, MD 1990, Acting Dean 2007, Dean 2008) Professor Lee Sum-ping (MBBS 1970, MD 1980, Dean 2008-13) ‘Each of us has built on one another’s legacy, achievements and foundations to become one of the top 20 medical schools in the world today.’ Professor Gabriel Leung 7 HKUMed News Winter 2021
The Faculty’s high global ranking is recognition not only of our renowned research, but also the quality of learning that happens under our roof. Over the past 25 years or so, we have transformed our curriculum to incorporate new scientific discoveries, new pedagogies and new expectations from both patients and students. As Professor Leung has pointed out: ‘We are not a technical research institute but a school. We must always remember that students are at the heart of our being.’ The transformation from a traditional education of memorisation and gruelling examinations to the modern version began in the 1990s, when students were weighed down by the need to learn an ever-expanding quantity of new scientific knowledge. Some teachers began to advocate for PBL, which encourages teamwork, breaks down barriers between FEATURE An Exceptional Education for Our Times ‘We are not a technical research institute but a school. We must always remember that students are at the heart of our being.’ Professor Gabriel Leung specialities and is less dependent on memorisation. Professor Chow would take on the task of convincing the Faculty as a whole that this was the way forward, driven in part by the tragedy on his second day as Dean in 1995 when a student jumped to death. ‘It was time to change,’ he said. Implementation of PBL was left to Professor Tang, who pronounced: ‘Failure is not an option. Because you can’t tell students, I’m sorry we made a mistake.’ She secured support from the University to allay fears that the new teaching model would impact the Faculty’s resources. Subsequent research by the Faculty showed that PBL improved students’ communication and other professional skills, and their basic scientific knowledge remained strong. New programmes started being launched to meet demand for trained professionals in other healthcare fields. The Bachelor of Nursing programme began in 1995, followed a few years later by interprofessional education for medical and nursing students so they could better understand each other’s roles and begin to develop working relationships. The Faculty further diversified its offerings with the Bachelor of Chinese Medicine launched in 2002, Bachelor of Pharmacy in 2009, Bachelor of Biomedical Sciences in 2012, Bachelor of Arts and Sciences in Global Health and Development in 2019 and, starting in 2022, a relaunch of the Bachelor of Science in Bioinformatics. While these developments brought improvements in learning, there was still a desire to improve student and patient welfare by strengthening the humanist element of education. In 2012, the Humanities and Medicine curriculum became mandatory 8
for all medical students to deepen their understanding of the nature of pain and suffering through themes such as narrative stories about patients and doctors, death, dying and bereavement, and the history of medicine. This was followed by the ground-breaking Enrichment Year introduced with the 2016 intake, which requires all medical students to take charge of their learning in their third year and seek experiences beyond medical school. Students have studied a completely different subject, done service learning, pursued research or undertaken other useful pursuits. Nursing students are also now required to spend some of their learning to broaden their perspectives. ‘While the PBL curriculum has served us well, we need to keep fine-tuning and rebalancing our curriculum so we can provide students the best possible education for our times,’ Professor Leung said. The Faculty is also committed to ensuring its education is available to all qualified students who do not have prosperous backgrounds or other advantages in life. Two scholarships were created over the past decade, Springboard and Second Chance, that reinforce meritocracy and provide financial assistance to these students. The Faculty is also the only school in Hong Kong to reserve at least three quarters of places for suitable graduates of the public HKDSE examinations, reinforcing our commitment to provide trained healthcare professionals who can serve all walks of life. ‘A good education is about gaining a good realisation of what a human being is,’ said Professor Lee. ‘I hope our students would become better human beings because better human beings make better doctors and nurses.’ New programmes launched 近年新課程 Bachelor of Nursing 護理學學士 Bachelor of Chinese Medicine 中醫全科學士 Bachelor of Pharmacy 藥劑學學士 Bachelor of Biomedical Sciences 生物醫學學士 Bachelor of Arts and Sciences in Global Health and Development 文理學士 （環球衞生及發展） Bachelor of Science in Bioinformatics 理學士（生物訊息學） 1995 2002 2009 2012 2019 2022 Professor Gabriel Leung (MD 2003, Dean 2013-present) 9 HKUMed News Winter 2021
World-leading Research FEATURE HKUMed’s success in research has been nothing short of remarkable. In just over 30 years – barely one generation – we have transformed ourselves into a world-class research centre. In 2021 alone, 17 HKUMed scholars were named most highly cited in the world; two scholars received the Future Prize, China’s ‘Nobel’ prize (Professor Yuen Kwok-yung and Professor Malik Peiris); and the government formally announced HKUMed is leading six InnoHK centres that will together receive $2.2 billion in total. To appreciate how far we have come, consider that until 1991 there was no government funding and little support for research. Research had to be done in ‘non-existent time’ outside working hours, according to Professor Young, and it was driven largely by individual motivation and determination to do the research and find funding from overseas. As soon as regular funding became available in Hong Kong, our scholars made a leap in their research output. Since the early 1990s, they have achieved such breakthroughs as the world’s first right-lobe liver transplant from a living donor, the identification of cancer stem cells responsible for metastasis of colorectal cancer and development of liver cancer, a new oral arsenic ‘We clearly have a strong pool of research talent already and we are having good success in attracting distinguished scholars to join us from overseas. This will only make us better.’ Professor Gabriel Leung 10
treatment for leukaemia that was also Hong Kong’s first patented prescription drug, technology that can establish expanded potential stem cell lineages from multiple animal species for development of new medicines and treatments, and of course, headline-making discoveries on infectious diseases. These achievements came on top of years of preparation and diligent work, illustrated most dramatically by our contributions to SARS and COVID-19. HKUMed’s work on infectious diseases began before the 1990s and started to accelerate during the 1997 H5N1 avian influenza outbreak in Hong Kong. When SARS arrived in 2003, they had the expertise and knowledge to quickly identify the virus, its source and treatment, discoveries that attracted Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao to visit the Faculty in 2003. Since then, they have produced world-leading research on H1N1 swine flu, Middle East Respiratory Syndrome, H7N9 avian flu and COVID-19 (see ‘Our “Firsts” on COVID-19’ on p. 16). Research successes have brought increased recognition and high-level collaborations. The HKU-Pasteur Research Pole was established in 2001 and two State Key Laboratories (SKL) in 2005, one for emerging infectious diseases and the other on brain and cognitive sciences. These were followed by an SKL on liver research in 2010 and an SKL on pharmaceutical biotechnology in 2013. HKUMed has also been a WHO Collaborating Centre for Infectious Disease Epidemiology and Control since 2014. Accompanying that success, and in fact fuelling it, has been a realisation that research is not an endeavour of the individual. ‘The quantum jump in research growth was the realisation that nobody can know everything and nobody can do everything. In order to achieve in research, you have to collaborate,’ Professor Lee said. Over the past decade, resources have been amalgamated to strengthen basic research and interdisciplinarity, which are major drivers of research success. The pre-clinical sciences were united under the School of Biomedical Sciences in 2015 to foster greater synergy, while major equipment and other resources have been centralised to make them available to all, such as a tissue bank biorepository, bio-reagent facility, proteomic and metabolic mass spectrometer and a suite of cryoelectron microscopes. Looking ahead, the Faculty expects to produce impactful outcomes from its InnoHK projects, which involve collaboration across disciplines within the Faculty, across the University and with external partners including industry. Staff numbers are also being expanded through the recruitment of 140 new professoriate staff by 2027 to meet growing research and teaching demands, with a focus on recruiting promising young scholars and world-class researchers. ‘We clearly have a strong pool of research talent already and we are having good success in attracting distinguished scholars to join us from overseas. This will only make us better,’ Professor Leung said. Received from the government to lead 6 InnoHK centres 政府撥款支持醫學院 領導6個InnoHK 中心 new professoriate staff by 2027 2027年新增教授席數目 Research centres and SKLs established in 研究所及國家重點 實驗室相繼成立： 140 $2.2 B I L L I ON The HKU-Pasteur Research Pole 香巴 港斯德大學研究─ 所 SKL for Brain and Cognitive Sciences 腦與認知科學國家重點 實驗室 SKL for Emerging Infectious Diseases 新發傳染性疾病國家 重點實驗室 SKL Pharmaceutical Biotechnology 生物醫藥技術國家重點 實驗室 SKL for Liver Research 肝病研究國家重點 實驗室 2001 2005 2010 2013 ‘The quantum jump in research growth was the realisation that nobody can know everything and nobody can do everything. In order to achieve in research, you have to collaborate.’ Professor Lee Sum-ping 11 HKUMed News Winter 2021
Fruitful Engagement with Mainland China just starting to reach fruition. At first, it was just individual scholars making the trip, such as Professor Chow who visited in 1977 at the invitation of the International Department of China Association for Science and Technology and again in 1981 with another future dean, Professor Leong, to demonstrate the ‘Hong Kong Operation’ for spinal deformity, a common health problem in China at that time. These initial contacts soon grew into more regular study exchanges, with external benefactors helping to HKUMed’s forebearer, the Hong Kong College of Medicine for Chinese, is nationally renowned for its first graduate – the father of modern China, Dr Sun Yat-sen. But for many years that connection with Mainland China could not be sustained as war and strife prevented substantive engagement. In the late 1970s, all that began to change. The Faculty began to reach out to the Mainland and vice versa, creating seeds of synergy and collaboration that are only FEATURE ↓Professor John Leong demonstrates ‘The Hong Kong Operation’ for TB spine and surgery for scoliosis in Guangdong Provincial People’s Hospital (early 1980s) 梁智仁教授於廣東省 人民醫院進行手術示範 （1980 年代初期） (Photo courtesy of Professor John Leong 梁智仁教授供圖） ↓Dr Sun Yat-sen’s exam paper at the Hong Kong College of Medicine for Chinese (The original copy is currently archived at the Wellcome Library in London) 孫中山先生於香港華人西醫書院之考試答題卷 （原件現藏倫敦Wellcome Library) 12
bring Mainland students and academics to the Faculty. Engagement began to extend into research collaborations, particularly in the wake of the H5N1 and SARS outbreaks. Then in 2009, circumstances combined to create an extraordinary opportunity. HKUMed was looking at that time to expand its hospital network for both teaching and research purposes. Professor Tang was stepping down as President of the Hong Kong Academy of Medicine and visiting the Ministry of Health to say goodbye. She asked thendean Professor Lee if he would like her to convey any message. His answer: ‘Ask about a teaching hospital.’ ‘Right away the Minister said, “Oh, we are building a new hospital in Shenzhen. You can certainly help us to do some medical reform,”’ Professor Tang said. That set the wheels in motion for the HKU-Shenzhen Hospital, which is under the clinical management of HKUMed and opened its doors in 2012; it ↓Professor John Leong at the 301 People's Liberation Army Main Hospital (mid 1980s) 梁智仁教授到解放軍 （總醫院交流 1980年代中期） (Photo courtesy of Professor John Leong 梁智仁教授供圖） ↑2014 East-West Alliance Global Symposia 2014 年東西方聯盟 全球研討會 now treats 10,000 patients a day across all departments. Professor Tang was its first chief executive and she implemented a new culture of delivering healthcare on the Mainland, such as packaged fees, an appointment system, the banning of ‘red packets’ and refusing to administer unnecessary treatments, such as intravenous drips for minor common ailments. In 2015, the Wall Street Journal described the hospital as ‘China’s most dramatic experiment’ in healthcare, while noting it was one of several dozen reforms being tested around the country. ‘I don’t for one moment think that we are more advanced than they are. Their equipment is more advanced for one thing. I didn’t feel I was there to tell them what to do. I was there to set up a system and build a hospital that we think is good. It’s up to them to take it as an example,’ Professor Tang said. The going was not easy. Many obstacles had to be overcome – resistance in the University to the undertaking, debt repayments to resolve, labour unease, and scarcity of supplies at the beginning. But these were tackled through perseverance on both sides, including by Professor Tang and her successor Professor Lo Chung-mau. The outcome is so successful that in 2027, the Faculty’s 140th anniversary, the hospital will complete a new clinical block with 1,000 additional beds and a research block with equivalent floor area to the Laboratory Block at 21 Sassoon Road. Moreover, further opportunity for a presence in the GBA is coming through a memorandum of understanding that the University signed with Shenzhen in 2021 to establish a second campus in Nanshan district. The country’s 14th Five-Year Plan also envisions health innovation and technology to be a strategic cornerstone for the GBA – areas in which the Faculty is building significant capacity through the InnoHK projects, among other endeavours. ‘Hong Kong has a leading edge as Asia’s medical hub. All the ingredients for integrated success are ripe for harvest. Our job is to ensure the fruits are picked in good time,’ Professor Leung said. 13 HKUMed News Winter 2021
Back to the Future: Where Dreams Become Reality will bring opportunities to work in larger spaces and with a larger population base, providing rich opportunities for research and teaching. Current and past deans have all been united in one purpose: to pursue excellence and advance the standing of the Faculty. They also share dreams and expectations for the Faculty moving forward. ‘Our vision should be global, particularly in research and teaching. Having said that, we must not forget that our roots are in Hong Kong and Mainland China. We should do our best to facilitate medical development here and promote the application and commercialisation of our research so more patients and people would benefit,’ Professor Young said. Professor Leong concurs. ‘Innovation must be an ongoing mission. Otherwise, staff morale will fall and so will the standard on all fronts. It requires a lot of resources to achieve, not only funding but physical space, hardware and departmental structure.’ Professor Chow believes the Faculty is on the right track. FEATURE If any word can summarise the Faculty’s current and future state, it is ‘expansion’, be it physical space, students and staffing, programmes, and opportunities. The lack of space that plagued the Faculty throughout most of its history is finally being addressed with new developments that not only meet current needs (net floor space will expand by 50% by 2027) but offer the chance to grow our capacity for discovery, such as the Centre for Clinical Innovation and Discovery & Institute of Cancer Care that will open at Grantham Hospital by 2024/5. Similarly, developments at the HKU-Shenzhen Hospital and new campus in Shenzhen ‘Our vision should be global, particularly in research and teaching. Having said that, we must not forget that our roots are in Hong Kong and Mainland China. We should do our best to facilitate medical development here and promote the application and commercialisation of our research so more patients and people would benefit.’ Professor Rosie Young ‘Research is of course very important, as is the commercialisation of research outcomes to benefit more patients and the general public. The next thing to consider is service delivery.’ Professor Chow Shew-ping ↑Laboratory of Data Discovery for Health (D²4H) 醫衞大數據深析實驗室 14
Professor Liang agrees that the focus should be on service. ‘Clinical work should be the foundation of what we do. We should continue to create new knowledge and stay at the forefront of research and innovation, and remember the importance of public service. We also have to invest well when we are on the upward trend.’ Professor Lee expressed great confidence in the Faculty’s ability to achieve its goals. ‘The Faculty men and women are extraordinary, they have the rare gift of imaginative creativity coupled with enthusiasm and they are indefatigable. HKUMed has a unique profile and a unique mission in the life and history of Hong Kong. If HKUMed grows stronger, Hong Kong will be a better place,’ he said. Professor Leung echoed these grand visions and aspirations. He noted that he is in the fortunate position of being able to implement change at a time of opportunity and greater support from society. But he also does not want the Faculty to lose sight of the human touch that is central to healthcare. ‘A doctor who cares for the whole person, not just the disease, and a researcher who contributes their expertise to bringing about transformational change, such as providing evidence for new legislation to protect health – these things cannot be measured by impact factor analysis or research metrices. These are the qualities that go to the heart of our mission,’ he said. ‘By consolidating our resources and strengths, we have laid a solid foundation for the Faculty’s further development in the next 20 to 30 years. Research is of course very important, as is the commercialisation of research outcomes to benefit more patients and the general public. The next thing to consider is service delivery,’ he said. ‘I think very strongly about clinical care and service delivery,’ said Professor Tang. ‘Both teaching and research should contribute to patient care. It is also very important to show people respect, get them on board and let them know that they are heard.’ ‘Clinical work should be the foundation of what we do. We should continue to create new knowledge and stay at the forefront of research and innovation, and remember the importance of public service. We also have to invest well when we are on the upward trend.’ Professor Raymond Liang ‘The Faculty men and women are extraordinary, they have the rare gift of imaginative creativity coupled with enthusiasm and they are indefatigable. HKUMed has a unique profile and a unique mission in the life and history of Hong Kong. If HKUMed grows stronger, Hong Kong will be a better place.’ Professor Lee Sum-ping ‘A doctor who cares for the whole person, not just the disease, and a researcher who contributes their expertise to bringing about transformational change, such as providing evidence for new legislation to protect health – these things cannot be measured by impact factor analysis or research metrices. These are the qualities that go to the heart of our mission.’ Professor Gabriel Leung 50%+ Net floor space by 2027 15 HKUMed News Winter 2021
FEATURE Our ‘Firsts’ on COVID-19 HKUMed has been at the forefront producing research to alert the world to the nature of the SARS-CoV-2 virus and the pandemic it has induced. Our first findings were reported in the first month of the outbreak, January 2020, and our work on all aspects of COVID-19 has continued apace. Some of the groundbreaking highlights include: • Developed one of the first protocols for detecting COVID-19 in suspected human cases which was shared on the WHO website. Reagents and methods were shared with over 70 countries. • Reported the first evidence of human-to-human transmission of the virus involving a family case diagnosed and managed at HKU-Shenzhen Hospital. • Produced two studies through the WHO Collaboration Centre alerting the world to the pandemic, its transmission dynamics and the threat it posed, based on the pattern of case arisings in the first half of January 2020. • Produced some of the first electron microscope images of the SARS-CoV-19 in collaboration with the Faculty of Engineering. • Showed that China's aggressive control measures halted the first wave of COVID-19 in provinces outside Hubei province, the epicentre of the epidemic, and developed a model showing the potential adverse consequences of prematurely relaxing interventions, including a subsequent wave of COVID-19. • Worked with the Department of Civil Engineering in developing a method to detect SARS-CoV-2 in sewage, which has helped to identify areas in the city with hidden carriers. • Developed the first nasal spray COVID-19 vaccine to enter a human clinical trial. The vaccine won the Gold Medal with Congratulations of the Jury at the Special Edition 2021 Inventions Geneva Evaluation Days. 有關應對2019冠狀病毒病的「第一名」 港大醫學院一直穩踞醫學研究的最前端，向全球預警SARS-CoV-2病毒的性 質及其引發的大流行。我們的首項發現率先在 2020 年 1 月，即疫情爆發的 首個月發布。同時，研究團隊有關2019冠狀病毒病的各方面工作仍在繼續 全速進行。其中具突破意義的重點包括： • 制定了在疑似人類感染病例中檢測 2019冠狀病毒病的首批機制之一，並 於世界衞生組織網站上發布，亦已與 70 多個國家分享檢測試劑和方法。 • 發布首宗證明病毒在人與人之間傳播的證據，該病例涉及一個家庭，由港 大深圳醫院診治和管理。 • 根據2020年1月上半月出現的病例模式，通過世衞協作中心進行了兩項研 究，向全球預警病毒大流行、傳播動態及所構成的威脅。 • 與港大工程學院攜手製作了SARS-CoV-19病毒的首批電子顯微鏡圖像。 • 表明中國積極防控疫情的措施，阻止了2019冠狀病毒病初發地點湖北省以 外的省份爆發第一波疫情；並開發了預測模型，展示過早放寬防控措施的 潛在風險，包括可能引發下一波疫情。 • 與港大土木工程系合作開發了一種檢測污水中SARS-CoV-2病毒的方法， 有助識別城市中隱性帶菌者所在的區域。 • 開發出首個進入人體臨床試驗階段的2019冠狀病毒病噴鼻式噴霧疫苗。該 疫苗在 「2021年日內瓦國際發明展」榮獲「評判特別嘉許金獎」。 Our Other ‘Firsts’ • Collaborated with Department of Mechanical Engineering to show first direct experimental evidence that seasonal influenza A viruses can be transmitted by both large respiratory droplets as well as fine airborne particles, which evidently informs the development of effective influenza control measures (February 2018). • Led the world’s first comprehensive study of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) coronavirus in Africa (March 2018). • Invented universal antibody drug for HIV-1 prevention and immunotherapy (April 2018). • Successfully performed Hong Kong’s first non-fusion scoliosis surgery by vertebral body tethering (May 2019). • Discovered novel non-antibiotic lead compound to suppress virulence of methicillin resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) (July 2019). • Developed a new platform for accelerating protein engineering and optimising CRISPR protein for higher fidelity in gene editing (July 2019). • Developed first inhaled dry powder formulation of messenger RNA (mRNA) that opens up new possibilities for treating and preventing lung diseases (November 2019). • Successfully performed the first magnetic sphincter augmentation for gastroesophageal reflex in Asia (December 2019). • Introduced the first water vapour thermal therapy for benign prostatic hyperplasia in Asia (June 2020). • Introduced Hong Kong’s first CAR-T cell therapy for blood cancer patients (February 2021). 其他範疇的「第一名」 • 與港大機械工程系合作，首次展示季節性甲型流感病毒可通過呼吸道大飛 沫和空氣中的細小顆粒傳播的直接實驗證據，為制定有效的流感控制措施 作出重大貢獻（2018 年 2 月）。 • 在非洲領導全球首個針對中東呼吸綜合症冠狀病毒的綜合研究（2018 年 3 月）。 • 研發用於愛滋病預防和免疫治療的創新型廣譜抗體藥物（2018 年 4 月）。 • 成功進行全港首宗非融合微創脊柱側彎手術（2019 年 5 月）。 • 發現全新的「非抗生素類化合物」能有效壓抑耐藥性金黃葡萄球菌的致病性 （2019 年 7 月）。 • 開發了一個新平台，用作加速蛋白質工程和優化 CRISPR 蛋白質，以提高 基因編輯的保真度（2019 年 7 月）。 • 開發出首個信使核糖核酸可吸入式乾粉製劑，為治療和預防各種肺部疾病 開創了新的可能（2019 年 11 月）。 • 成功進行了亞洲首宗以植入式磁石環增強下食道括約肌功能手術以治療胃 酸倒流（2019 年 12 月）。 • 引入亞洲首宗水蒸氣熱力治療手術以治療良性前列腺增生症（2020 年 6 月）。 • 在香港首度引入CAR-T細胞治療，成功治癒血癌病人（2021 年 2 月）。 16
Building for the Future The Faculty is on an unprecedented physical expansion to meet its current and future demands. By the time all current building projects are completed – in 2027, in time for our 140th anniversary – we will have increased our net workable space by 50%. • 21 Sassoon Road – expanded with new administration wing and enhanced through repurposing of several floors, a link bridge and garden; completed in 2021 • 3 Sassoon Road – a new building for School of Nursing and School of Chinese Medicine to open in 2022 • The first batch of clinical student residence opening on Sassoon Road in 2024-5 • The Centre for Clinical Innovation and Discovery and the Institute of Cancer Care opening at Grantham Hospital in 2024, funded by a $1.24 billion endowment from The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust, HKU’s single largest donation ever • The first phase of Queen Mary Hospital’s redevelopment, to be completed in 2024-5 • A second new residence for clinical students, opening in 2027 • A new 1,000-bed clinical block and new research block at HKUShenzhen Hospital, to be completed in 2027 • A second clinical training and amenities building and greenbelt development along Pokfulam Road, to be completed in 2027 • Plus, recent additions of a 5,000-square metre laboratory at Hong Kong Science Park as part of the InnoHK programme and 1,100 square metres of space at Hong Kong Children’s Hospital. 建設未來 醫學院現正進行規模前所未見的擴建，以配合當前和未來的需求。到 2027 年140周年院慶之際，屆時所有建築項目將會完成，淨可用空間將增加 50%。 • 沙宣道 21 號 ⸺2021年新建成的行政樓，以及完成舊大樓的改善工程， 包括重新調配舊大樓數層的功能、興建一座連接橋和花園 • 沙宣道3號 ⸺護理學院及中醫藥學院的新大樓將於2022年啟用 • 沙宣道臨床學生宿舍第一期將於2024-25年啟用 • 設於葛量洪醫院的臨床創新與發現中心和癌症綜合關護中心將於2024年啟 用。此項目由香港賽馬會慈善信託基金提供12.4億元資助，是港大有史以 來獲得的最大筆單一捐款 • 瑪麗醫院第一期重建工程將於2024-25年竣工 • 沙宣道臨床學生宿舍第二期將於2027年啟用 • 港大深圳醫院新臨床大樓和研究大樓將於2027年竣工，新增1,000張病床 • 薄扶林道第二座臨床訓練與配套設施及綠化帶發展項目將於2027年竣工 • 此外，作為InnoHK計劃的一部分，醫學院在香港科學園增加了5,000平方 米的實驗室面積，並在香港兒童醫院增加了 1,100 平方米的空間。 17 HKUMed News Winter 2021
FEATURE 新學年伊始，港大醫學院獲《泰晤士報高等教育增刊》評為全球20所最佳醫學院之一， 為我們迎來135周年院慶之際送上一份引以自豪的最佳生日禮物。數星期後，科睿唯安 發表了全球最廣獲徵引的研究人員名單，其中17位學者來自港大醫學院（港大總計有31位）。 New Building for School of Nursing and School of Chinese Medicine 護理學院及中醫藥學院新大樓 （open in 2022） 18
這些成就建基於我們的前輩和現 任教職員的灼見真知與辛勤工作之上。 他們提供世界一流的教育，並發布具 有區域和全球重要性的研究。僅在過 去的三十年間，我們創造了重大的研 究里程碑，例如我們在對抗非典型肺 炎和2019冠狀病毒病的貢獻、改革課 程、與粵港澳大灣區建立更緊密的聯 繫，包括營運香港大學深圳醫院。與 此同時，學生與教職員人數也顯著增 加，包括本科生增加了一倍，研究生 和博士後增加了近三倍，教職員編制 也增加了近 75%。 隨著我們拓展在香港和深圳的足 跡、招募更多員工，以滿足社會對醫 療健康創新和訓練有素的專業人員日 益增長的需求，並擴大研究項目，我 們的前景將會更光明。 「沒有我們的學生、校友、教職員 工、研究人員、教師、專業和行政人 員，以及前人的集體奉獻和辛勤工作， 這一切都不可能實現。」院長梁卓偉 教授如是說。 Faculty Administration Wing 醫學院行政樓 （open in 2021） 19 HKUMed News Winter 2021 築夢杏林 成就可能
FEATURE 香港華人西醫書院成立於1887 年，為本地華人提供以科學為本的醫 療服務。這片初心一直延續至今天， 並在過去40年間擴展至粵港澳大灣 區，透過我們的研究擴展到國際舞台。 這項驕人成就主要歸功於學院院長（其 中不少是港大畢業生）的優秀領導力、 克服挑戰的毅力和把握機遇的遠見。 資源短缺往往是邁向成功的最 大絆腳石。港大首位女院長和首位從 港大畢業的院長楊紫芝教授（MBBS 1953，MD 1959，1983-84年間 擔任院長）任教時，應當時負責審核 港大課程的英國綜合醫學委員會的 要求，減少實習班的規模，並引入眼 科和耳鼻喉科等專業。政府沒有為此 提供額外的資源，於是她向校友尋求 幫助。 楊教授表示：「當時香港的執業醫 生大多是港大畢業生，他們非常熱情、 敬業，渴望回母校教授下一代醫生， 甚至不惜自掏腰包。對此我們無以為 報，只好頒授名譽銜頭。另外，對於 小班實習課，我們與當時香港中文大 學成立不久的醫學院緊密合作，共聘 部分外部顧問。事實上，我們更像是 合作伙伴而不是競爭對手。」 她的繼任人梁智仁教授（MBBS 1965， 1985-90年擔任院長）指出， 當時是一個科學發現可以促成開發新 療法和了解疾病的時期，惟政府對研 究缺乏支持，醫學院須依靠多方善長 慷慨捐贈，「包括患者、製藥公司、 其他捐助者和國際基金」。直至1991 年，他的院長任期結束後，情況開始 發生變化。當時研究資助委員會成立， 港大醫學院的達安輝教授（MBBS 1952，MD 1958）擔任首屆主席。 然而，在資源緊縮的同時，中國 內地為我們打開了一扇門。適逢內地 改革開放，熱衷於與世界交往，歡迎 訪客與交流。梁智仁教授和周肇平教授 （MBBS 1968，MD 1988，199598年間擔任院長）都是最早到訪內地 的學者之一。醫學院在整個1990年代 不斷擴大其對外交流的範疇。 同時，眼前的問題更為逼切⸺ 尤其是醫學課程所造成的壓力及醫學 院缺乏足夠空間發展。精神病學家 麥列菲菲教授（1991-92年期間擔任 院長）提出需要一種新的教學方針：「教 學必須互動和實用。學生和老師在面 對各種變化時，必須調整自己，保持 情緒穩定和抗逆的韌力。」 馬鍾可璣教授（MBBS 1958， 1992-95年擔任院長）為未來的發展 播下了種子。她藉課程檢討啟動改革之 契機，獲得政府批准，並取得沙宣道 21號的土地作擴展之用。縱使當時未 有為項目籌集資金，她的兩位繼任人後 來讓這些發展項目開花結果，為醫學院 的發展奠下穩健的基礎。 周教授排除了開始時遇到的一些 阻力，說服了學術人員採用問題導向 學習（詳見另文）。在那個時代，院長 由同事互相推舉而不是委任，周教授 遂運用多年來與同事建立的緊密個人 關係和信任，推動這項新改革：「我在 港大醫學院畢業，了解這裡的文化和 教職員的想法。我認為他們看到我是 堅定、有遠見和願意聆聽意見的，而 且我不是為了私利而做事。」他還為新 大樓建築群籌集了資金。 鄧惠瓊教授（MBBS 1971，1998- 2001年間任院長）的任務，是實施問 題導向學習改革和建造新大樓。鄧教 授認為這兩項計劃都是勢在必行，其 果斷務實的作風亦促成她使命必達： 「我們是因為空間短缺而興建這座大 樓，引入新課程則是因為我們意識到 醫學教育的趨勢，正在朝著更多跨專 業融合的方向轉變。」 成功的動力 「當時香港的執業醫生大多是港大畢業生， 他們非常熱情、敬業，渴望回母校教授 下一代醫生，甚至不惜自掏腰包。」 ― 楊紫芝教授 馬鍾可璣教授（左） （MBBS 1958， 1992-95年擔任院長） 麥列菲菲教授 （1991-92年期間擔任 院長） 80年代 因應需求減少實習班 規模、並引入其他專業 20
新大樓建築群於2002年啟用，當 中包括一幢擁有現代研究設施的大樓， 對研究發展舉足輕重。林兆鑫教授 （MBBS 1967，MD 1975，2001-07 年間擔任院長）是學院首位委任院長， 透過籌募大筆捐款（包括來自李嘉誠先 生的 10 億元）和推動新的研究分組， 大大加強了學院的研究實力。他任內 非典型肺炎爆發，當時港大醫學院的 員工不僅進行了世界領先的研究，對 患者也表現出了非凡的奉獻精神： 「我 們的資深教授親自走進病房，識別並 治療了非典患者。他們實在非常勇敢， 表現出色。」 幾年後，醫學院經歷了領導不穩 和士氣低落的低潮， 但梁憲孫教授 （MBBS 1979，MD 1990，2007年為 代理院長，2008年接任院長）穩定了 軍心，讓教職員專注於他們的工作：「一 切必須照常進行。我們只是繼續我們 正在做的事情，並保持向前邁進的動 力。」 他的繼任人是李心平教授（MBBS 1970，MD 1980， 2008-13年間擔 任院長）。在李教授的領導下，幾個學 系升格為學院，包括 2010 年的護理 學院和中醫藥學院（在院長梁卓偉教 授的領導下，2013年也合併了社區 醫學系與行為科學組，成為公共衞生 學院， 2015年亦合併其他臨床專科 為生物醫學學院）。他亦肩負起籌劃和 啟用香港大學深圳醫院的重任。他強 調操守，包括透過人文與醫學課程培 養學生的操守： 「我們花了好幾年時間 才恢復士氣。在此之後，我感到學院 上下有一團火正在燃燒，推動我們全 速前進。所有同事都知道我們將取得 偉大的成就，不僅為我們自己，也為 香港、中國和世界其他地區。」 在梁卓偉教授（MD 2003，2013 年接任院長至今）的領導下，這些潛力 一一展開化成現實。他以過人的精力 和遠見，把握過去幾年前所未有的機 遇。他建立了香港大學醫療系統，管 理教學醫院網絡：除瑪麗醫院外，還 包括香港大學深圳醫院、養和醫院， 以及 2017 年成立的港怡醫院。醫學 本科課程也有所更新，確保每位醫科 生都享有「增潤學年」，讓他們有機會 跳出醫學和香港，拓展視野。此外， 我們為來自弱勢背景的學生提供了新 的獎學金，推行不少重大的研究和發 展項目，並不斷增聘人才。 梁卓偉教授說：「這是一場接力 賽，接力棒從一位院長傳遞給另一位 院長手上，周而復始。歷任院長薪火 相傳、在前人的成就和基礎上精益求 精，才得以成就港大醫學院為當今世 界排名前二十的醫學院之一。」 「引入新課程則是因為我們 意識到醫學教育的趨勢， 正在朝著更多跨專業融合的 方向轉變。」 ― 鄧惠瓊教授 梁智仁教授 （MBBS 1965， 1985-90年擔任院長） 梁憲孫教授（MBBS 1979， MD 1990，2007年為代理院長， 2008年接任院長） 林兆鑫教授（MBBS 1967，MD 1975， 2001-07年間擔任院長） 90年代 擴大醫學院對外交流 的範疇 21 HKUMed News Winter 2021
FEATURE 醫學院在全球維持高排名，不僅 是對我們各項知名研究的認可，也是 對我們教育質素的嘉許。 過去約 二十五年間，我們在課程中納入了新 的科學發現、新的教學法，以及病人 和學生的新期望，正如梁卓偉教授指 出：「醫學院是一所學校而非技術研究 所⸺我們必須牢記，學生永遠是我 們存在的根本。」 由於學生因需要學習越來越多的 新科學知識而壓力上升，我們從1990 年代開始，審視及改革以背誦和艱苦 考試為重心的傳統教育，逐漸演變至 今天的教育模式。一些教師開始提倡 問題導向學習，鼓勵團隊合作，打破 專業之間的障礙，減少依賴死記硬背。 周教授當時說服了整個醫學院，這項 改革是大勢所趨、勢在必行的。這可 能與1995年，他上任院長第二天便發 生一名學生跳樓死亡的悲劇有關。他 語重心長地說：「是時候改變了。」 實行問題導向學習模式的是鄧教 授，她說：「我們是許勝不許敗，因 為你不能告訴學生，對不起，我們做 錯了。」她取得大學的支持，減輕對新 教學模式會影響醫學院資源的憂慮。 醫學院隨後的研究表明，問題導向學 習模式提高了學生的溝通技巧和其他 專業技能，而他們的基礎科學知識仍 然很穩固。 醫學院也陸續推出新課程，以滿 足其他醫療健康領域對訓練有素的專 業人員的需求。護理學士課程於1995 年起舉辦，幾年後又為醫學和護理學 生提供跨專業教育，增進他們對彼此 角色的了解，以及開始建立工作伙伴 關係。此外，醫學院更進一步提供多 元化的課程，包括於2002年開設中 醫全科學士，2009年開設藥劑學學 士，2012年開設生物醫學學士， 2019年開設文理學士（環球衞生及發 展），以及於2022年重新開設理學士 （生物訊息學）。 雖然這些發展提升了學習成效， 但我們仍然希望通過加強教育的人文 元素， 改善學生和病人的福祉。 2012年，人文醫學課程成為所有醫 學生的必修課，透過關於病人及醫生 的故事，死亡、臨終和喪親，以及醫 學史等主題論述，加深醫學生對痛苦 和苦難本質的理解。 接著於2016年，醫學院迎來了 破天荒的「增潤學年」，要求所有醫學 生於三年級自行安排學習，在醫學院 以外的範疇爭取經驗。期間學生需要 學習截然不同的學科，完成「寓服務於 學習」，進行研究或追求其他有意義的 目標。「即使問題導向學習課程一直 運作良好，我們仍需不斷微調和重新 調配教學課程，確保學生得到這個時 代最優質的教育。」梁卓偉教授說。 醫學院亦致力於確保所有合資格 學生──不論其背景是否富裕或擁有 其他生活上的優勢──都能接受其教 育。過去十年，醫學院成立了兩個獎 學金──飛躍獎學金和毅行醫路奬學 金，嘉許學生優秀的表現，並為他們 提供經濟援助。醫學院亦是香港唯一 為合資格的香港中學文憑考試畢業生 預留至少四分之三名額的學院，貫徹 我們為各行各業提供訓練有素的醫護 專業人員的承諾。 李教授說： 「良好的教育是要令 學生明白，生而為人所謂何事。我希 望我們的學生成為更好的人，因為更 好的人會造就更好的醫生和護士。」 與的 時非 並凡 進教育 「良好的教育是要令學生明白，生而為人所 謂何事。我希望我們的學生成為更好的人， 因為更好的人會造就更好的醫生和護士。」 ― 李心平教授 李心平教授（MBBS 1970，MD 1980， 2008-13年間擔任院長） 鄧惠瓊教授（MBBS 1971，1998-2001 年間任院長） 90年代 改革以背誦和艱苦考 試為重心的傳統教育， 而開始引入問題導向 學習課程(PBL) 2012年 人文醫學課程 (Humanities and Medicine) 成為必修課 2016年 醫學院引入「增潤學年」 (Enrichment Year) 22
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy Mzg4NDg0