VOLUME 27 ISSUE 1 JUL 2022 Passing the Baton: New Academic Leaders Take the Reins
06 Feature 專題故事 Passing the Baton: New Academic Leaders Take the Reins 薪火相傳：學術領袖新任命 26 HKUMed Combatting COVID-19 港大醫學院對抗新冠疫情 28 Feature+ 專題+ Promoting Empathy on Campus ― HKUMed’s Measures in Gender Inclusiveness 港大醫學院性別包容新措施 推動具同理心的校園 Editorial Team Editor-in-Chief Ada Leung Wing-yee Managing Editors Cecile Kung Gloria Lam Niki Shek Executive Editor Annie Lam Assistant Editors Adrian Chan Christiana Ho Feature Writer Kathy Griffin Feature+ Writer Helen Choy Photographer Ringo Tang (Feature portraits) Graphic Design by Good Morning Design Cover Illustration by Sketch Post 34 Achievements 獎項與成就 39 Activities and Events 活動紀要 42 People 人物 Hello 新臉孔 Appointments and Promotions 任命與晉升 Alumni News 校友活動 Student Achievements 學生成就 Student Activities 學生活動 52 Donations 捐贈者名單 55 Special Announcement 活動資訊 56 Art & Culture 藝文空間 www.med.hku.hk All rights reserved 2022 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 02 Figures: The Faculty in 2021 醫學院2021年回顧 04 HKUMed Summer Soirée – Celebrating HKUMed’s 135th Anniversary 港大醫學院夏季晚會⸺135周年院慶
Figures Professoriate Staff 各級教授 338 Postgraduate Students 研究生 1684 Honorary Academic Staff 名譽學術人員 2527 Undergraduate Students 本科生 3107 Postgraduate Education 研究生課程 Undergraduate Programmes (Full Time) and Student Numbers本科生課程（全日制）及學生人數 Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery Bachelor of Nursing Bachelor of Chinese Medicine Bachelor of Pharmacy Bachelor of Biomedical Sciences Bachelor of Science (Exercise and Health) Bachelor of Arts and Sciences in Global Health and Development Year 1 284 208 26 38 52 - 25 Year 2 311 192 22 39 57 - 18 Year 3 186 217 22 26 62 - 21 Year 4 252 206 24 14 61 - - Year 5 259 202 21 - - 1 - Year 6 235 - 24 - - 2 - Total 1527 1025 139 117 232 3 64 • The Faculty offers 12 taught postgraduate programmes in 2021-22. • The Faculty admitted 264 Research Postgraduate (RPg) students in 2021-22. Sixteen of our new PhD students have been awarded Hong Kong PhD Fellowships by the Research Grants Council (RGC), 34 the HKU Presidential PhD Scholarship, and 13 University Postgraduate Fellowships. • A total of 9 postgraduate students were awarded other prizes in 2021, including the Sir Patrick Manson Gold Medal for MD students, Dr KP Stephen Chang Gold Medal for PhD students, KAN Shin Yu Chinese Medicine Postgraduate Research Prize, Chan To Haan Prize for Research Postgraduate Students in Pathology, Professor Anthony Hedley Prize for Master of Public Health, BL Wong Memorial Prize in Nursing Studies, Lau Wing Kai Memorial Prizes in Nursing Studies, Best Evidence Based Practice Dissertation/ Clinical Research Project Award for Master of Nursing, and Dr Kate Cheng Memorial Prize for Postgraduate Diploma in Infectious Diseases. The Faculty in 2021 醫學院2021年回顧(as of December 2021) 2
Research grants awarded to Faculty members RGC General Research Fund/Early Career Scheme Health and Medical Research Fund (Provisional) Health and Medical Research Fund Commissioned Grant RGC Theme-based Research Scheme Innovation and Technology Fund Others 54 74 11 4 34 34 projects HK$58.5M projects HK$89.5M projects HK$161.0M projects HK$170.0M (3 projects as PI and 1 project as Co-I) projects HK$91.0M projects HK$87.4M Public lectures/ Symposia/Fora 公開講座/座談會/論壇 Regular newspaper columns 報章定期專欄 Media interviews and press conferences 媒體訪問及新聞發布會 Media coverage generated 傳媒報道總計 (include expertise, comments, functions and activities related to COVID-19) （包括有關新冠肺炎的專業知識、評論、場合及活動） Health programmes on television and radio 電視及電台醫療健康節目 (excluded expertise and comments related to COVID-19 on TV and radio) （不包括在電視及電台發表有關新冠肺炎的專業知識及評論） 164 100 109 14311 180 HK$437.6M Research Grants 研究資助 Fight Against COVID-19對抗新冠疫情 Since the outbreak of the pandemic in 2020, Faculty researchers have received a total of HK$437.6M in research grants and commissioned funds from the RGC, Food and Health Bureau (FHB) and Innovation and Technology Commission (ITC), supporting 48 COVID-related studies. As HKUMed continues to be at the forefront of COVID research, more funding is expected. Research Output 研究成果 • The Faculty’s refereed research output saw 1888 items produced in 2020-2021, accounting for 42.7% of the University’s total of 4425 refereed items. The output included important publications in Lancet, Nature Reviews Microbiology, Chemical Society Reviews, Nature Medicine, Nature, Journal of Clinical Oncology, Lancet Neurology, Cell, Lancet Oncology, British Medical Journal, Annals of Oncology, JAMA Oncology, Cancer Cell, Advanced Materials, etc. • According to Clarivate Analytics, our researchers have published 279 Highly Cited Papers, and 16 staff members are listed as Highly Cited Researchers. As of July 2021, among 139 HKU staff on the list of Top 1% scholar, 61 of them are from HKUMed, making up 43.9% of the Top 1% scholar in HKU. Public Education 公眾教育 in total HK$656.9M 3 HKUMed News Summer 2022
HKUMed Summer Soirée – Celebrating HKUMed’s 135th Anniversary 港大醫學院夏季晚會 ⸺ 135周年院慶 The HKUMed Summer Soirée was held on 12 May 2022, attended in person by dozens of guests, donors, alumni and friends of the Faculty. The event celebrated the Re-opening of Tang Court, eponymously named after the family of Professor Grace Tang Wai-king, Dean of Medicine 1998-2001, for a generous donation from her and her husband Dr Luk Kwok-fai. Without this plot of land, the new and modern Faculty Administration Wing would not have been built and in use to spare more space to meet the needs of the growing student body. The Dean, Professor Gabriel M Leung, expressed his gratitude for Professor Grace Tang’s staunch support to the Faculty. The plaque unveiling ceremony was officiated by Professor Tang, Dr Luk, Professor Leung, and Ms Priscilla Wong Pui-sze, Council Chairman of The University of Hong Kong. Taking the occasion of the HKUMed 135th Anniversary, the ceremony was followed by an inspiring lecture, the first instalment of the 135th Anniversary Dean’s Lecture Series, delivered by Professor Wang Chen, President of the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, on the topic of ‘The Coming Era of Medicine, Health and Public Health’. Panelists Dr Bernhard Schwartländer, Global Health Envoy, German Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Professor Zheng Zhijie, Director of the China Country Office, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and Ms Priscilla Wong exchanged their views and comments in the panel discussion moderated by Professor Gabriel Leung. Other guests of the event included Mr Ian Huen Chung-yuen of Dr Stanley Ho Medical Development Foundation, which kindly sponsored the 135th Anniversary Dean’s Lecture Series; Professor Sophia Chan Siu-chee, Secretary for Food and Health; Professor Rosie Young Tse-tse, Former Dean, and Professor Wallace Lau Chak-sing, Dean of Medicine Designate. 港大醫學院夏季晚會於2022年5月12日舉行，數十位嘉賓、捐贈者、校友及合 作伙伴親臨現場。是次活動以「鄧苑」重開典禮展開。醫學院院長梁卓偉教授感謝前院 長鄧惠瓊教授（1998-2001年擔任院長）及其丈夫陸國輝醫生對醫學院的支持 ; 「鄧苑」 由鄧教授及陸醫生慷慨捐助，以鄧教授家人命名，現址位於新建的醫學院行政樓， 以騰出更多空間滿足持續增長的教學需求。揭幕禮由鄧教授、陸醫生、梁教授及港 大校務委員會主席王沛詩女士主持。 揭幕禮隨後為「群賢匯智」港大醫學院135周年院長講座系列的首場講座，以「大 醫學 · 大衞生 · 大健康」為題，由中國醫學科學院北京協和醫學院院校長王辰教授主講。 德國駐華使館全球衛生負責人Bernhard Schwartländer博士、王沛詩女士及比爾及 梅琳達蓋茨基金會駐華首席代表鄭志杰教授在小組討論作交流，由梁教授擔任主持。 其他出席活動的嘉賓包括贊助135周年院長講座系列的何鴻燊博士醫療拓展 基金會代表禤駿遠先生、食物及衞生局局長陳肇始教授、前院長楊紫芝教授及候任 院長劉澤星教授。 Professor Gabriel Leung presenting a souvenir to Professor Grace Tang 梁卓偉教授向鄧惠瓊教授致送紀念品 A capella performance by Medici Cantano, medical students’ a capella group 港大醫學院學生無伴奏合唱團Medici Cantano 傾力演出 4
Presentation of souvenir over online platform to Professor Wang Chen by Professor Wallace Lau Chak-sing 劉澤星教授於網上致送紀念品予王辰教授 Honourable guests attending the Re-opening of Tang Court (from left to right): Professor Gabriel Leung, Professor Sophia Chan, Dr Leong Che-hung, Professor Rosie Young, Ms Priscilla Wong, Professor Grace Tang, Dr York Chow, Mr Anthony Wu and Professor Wallace Lau Chak-sing 「鄧苑」重開典禮主禮嘉賓（由左至右）：梁卓偉教授、陳肇始教授、梁智鴻醫生、楊紫芝教授、王沛詩女士、 鄧惠瓊教授、周一嶽醫生、胡定旭先生及劉澤星教授 Presentation of souvenir to Mr Ian Huen by Professor Wallace Lau Chak-sing 劉澤星教授致送紀念品予禤駿遠先生 5 HKUMed News Summer 2022
Passing the Baton: FEATURE HKUMed has been recognised as a world leader in recent times, exemplified by its placement among the top 20 medical schools in the world by Times Higher Education and its global research impact during the COVID-19 pandemic. But the Faculty can only stay as good as its people. A new rank of academic leaders has thus been appointed who possess richly diverse backgrounds – from seasoned veterans to rising stars – that will ensure the Faculty’s excellence and ambition can be sustained. 6
New Academic Leaders Take the Reins New Chairpersons have been appointed to the Departments of Microbiology, Obstetrics and Gynaecology (O&G), Ophthalmology, Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Psychiatry, and Orthopaedics and Traumatology, following in the steps of a strong group of predecessors. ‘The Deanery and I are most grateful to the contributions from this outstanding cadre of former Heads and we are extremely mindful of the vital importance of ongoing leadership renewal. It is a perennial goal of any successful organisation, not least in a university faculty, so I am delighted to have welcomed our new Chairpersons,’ Dean of Medicine, Professor Gabriel Leung, said. The new Chairpersons are also joining leaders in eight other clinical specialties to form the new School of Clinical Medicine, which will enable critical mass, greater efficiency gains and best use of resources. The other specialties are Anaesthesiology, Clinical Oncology, Diagnostic Radiology, Emergency Medicine, Family Medicine and Primary Care, Medicine, Pathology and Surgery. ‘HKUMed leads the region in many of these specialties, and we will continue to nurture excellence as whole-heartedly as we have in the past while enhancing our competitiveness and growth,’ Professor Leung said. The new Chairperson of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Dr Jason Cheung Pui-yin, was introduced in our last issue. On the following pages, our five other new Chairpersons share their experience and vision for driving their specialties forward in the coming years. HKUMed is among the top 20 medical schools in the world 7 HKUMed News Summer 2022
‘Among all resources, human resources are the most important. One of my top goals will be to nurture and train the next generation of professoriate staff and physician scientists.’ Professor Leung Wing-hang FEATURE When Professor Leung Wing-hang took up his position as Chairperson of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine last year, he felt grateful to be coming home – he graduated from HKUMed more than 30 years ago – and to be leading a department that is widely respected for its research and education. He has defined his role around those strengths. ‘The Department is on a trajectory of many great successes, so I keep to two simple principles: one, do not fix something that is not broken, and two, do not boil the ocean,’ he said. Professor Leung speaks from strong experience in both academia and administration. After completing his PhD at Johns Hopkins University, he spent more than 20 years with St Jude Children’s Research Hospital, where he rose to Chair of Bone Marrow Transplantation and Cellular Therapy. He subsequently spent several years with the biotech firm Miltenyi Biotec as Vice President of Clinical Development. His own trajectory has been based around developing novel transplant and immunotherapy approaches for paediatric cancer, blood, infection and immune disorders – a path that began at Queen Mary Hospital with a patient he encountered An Accomplished Scholar Comes Home during his housemanship. Professor Leung was tasked with taking care of a teenager admitted with acute megakaryoblastic leukaemia, who suffered greatly from complications caused by chemotherapy and ultimately died from his disease. ‘This patient inspired me to find a better way to treat cancer without the serious side effects of chemotherapy,’ he said. Professor Leung subsequently contributed to improvements in bone marrow transplants and cell therapies that have helped to achieve markedly better outcomes for children suffering from relapsed or persistent acute leukaemia. ↑Professor Leung Wing-hang (3rd from left) and members of the Department of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine 兒童及青少年科學系 系主任梁永恆教授 （左三）及學系成員 8
Since returning to HKUMed, he has applied his expertise to establish a paediatric immunome project that aims to advance understanding of disease in children, identify new therapeutic targets, generate new therapeutic cells and monitor disease response. This is expected to lead to a new generation of synthetic biology and immunome analyses. He has also embraced the administrative duties that come with his new position, especially the teamwork involved in solving problems. ‘My research is going strong in part because research staff in Hong Kong are quite talented and the research environment at HKU is outstanding,’ he said. ‘And being head actually saves me quite a bit of time as things generally move faster through the head’s office.’ There have already been some major challenges, chiefly with the COVID-19 pandemic which has restricted students from accessing wards to observe children with infectious diseases that are common in that age group, and disrupted research. But looking ahead, he sees plenty of opportunities, especially as the Department seeks to recruit young talent. ‘Among all resources, human resources are the most important. One of my top goals will be to nurture and train the next generation of professoriate staff and physician scientists. Another goal will be to broaden our research programmes with crossdepartmental and crossinstitutional collaborations, including with partners overseas and on the Mainland,’ he said. His calm demeanour, nurtured through his deep Christian faith and regular exercise, will surely be an inspiration to new recruits. ‘I cannot get a good sleep letting the sun go down on my anger. I find constant peace and hope in prayer and scripture reading,’ he said. ↑The Department of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine has always been committed to safeguarding the health and well-being of children and youth through teaching, research, clinical services, as well as community education and charitable events. 兒童及青少年科學系多年來透過教學、科研與臨 床服務，以及舉辦社會公益活動，守護兒童與青 少年的身心健康。 Professor Leung Wing-hang Chairperson of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine 9 HKUMed News Summer 2022
FEATURE The Power of a Role Model When Dr Karen Chan Kar-loen took up her role as the new Chairperson of Obstetrics and Gynaecology (O&G) last year, she was well aware that she was stepping into big shoes. ‘Our Department has a long history and there have been giants before me, such as Professors Ma Chung Ho-kei, Ho Pak-chung and Hextan Ngan Yuen-sheung. They have done a lot for our Department and for the development of women’s health in general in Hong Kong. Now I am carrying the torch and I believe people will expect the same from me,’ she said. She brings distinct strengths to the job – a strong clinical background, a vision for expanding and advancing research in the Department, and a deep understanding of the impact of a good role model – something that helped her to decide on her specialty. After graduating from Cambridge University and completing her housemanship, Dr Chan was working in the Accident & Emergency department of St George’s Hospital in London and still undecided about her specialty when a pregnant woman came in bleeding profusely from a miscarriage. An O&G doctor was called in to help. ‘He was a young doctor, polite and patient. He did a very calm examination and everything settled down within minutes. I just thought this was amazing and this was something I could do for my patients too, so I decided to try O&G,’ she said. Dr Chan went on to specialise in gynaecological oncology, in which she has pursued research and taken on leadership roles in the academic community. She is now encouraging such a proactive approach among colleagues ‘We can get more people to talk about their research and how excited they are about their project, and this may encourage people to go down the academic track.’ Dr Karen Chan Kar-loen ←The Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology (O&G) is committed to undergraduate medical education that encourages students to be a lifelong learner. 婦產科學系致力培育 後晉，並鼓勵學生由本 科開始，建立終身學習 的志向和態度。 The Tsan Yuk Hospital (TYH) was established. TYH is one of the two major teaching hospitals for O&G at HKUMed. The other major hospital for O&G training, Queen Mary Hospital, was established in 1937. 贊育醫院成立，為婦產 科學系兩所主要教學醫 院之一。另為於1937 年成立的瑪麗醫院。 1922 10
– particularly as the Department faces a great challenge in recruiting more staff. Nearly all full-time clinical professors have retired or will do so within the next couple of years. ‘Manpower is a great challenge for us now, but we are opening up various channels to attract people. Graduates still want to do O&G in general, but they are reluctant to do academic O&G. This is something we can change – we can get more people to talk about their research and how excited they are about their project, and this may encourage people to go down the academic track,’ she said. ‘With increased manpower, it becomes possible to have more time and discussion about research and development among our academic staff. That will certainly inspire new insights.’ Dr Chan is encouraging researchers to think big and initiate projects of larger scale involving multiple disciplines, a varied range of collaborators from international partners to nongovernmental organisations, and application of new technologies. ‘I want staff to have an open mind about research, to see it as more than just working in the lab or collecting clinical data. O&G is a very broad discipline with various sub-specialties such as reproduction, gynae-oncology, maternal and fetal medicine and urogynaecology,’ she said. She is also in the process of entering teaching collaborations with more local hospitals to ensure incoming students can have sufficient clinical exposure. While her plate is full, the diverse range of responsibilities suits Dr Chan to a tee. She enjoys trying new things – from dry slope skiing, ballroom dancing and tai chi, to one-on-one Putonghua lessons – while starting each day with prayer, reflection and a short burst of high-intensity exercise to keep her grounded and energised. ‘I believe in embracing challenges because it makes your life more colourful,’ she said. ‘I want staff to have an open mind about research, to see it as more than just working in the lab or collecting clinical data.’ ↑Improving women's health through education, research and clinical excellence has always been a mission shared by members of the O&G Department. 婦產科學系以促進婦女 健康為目標，在教學、 研究與臨床診斷服務等 領域不斷追求卓越。 Dr Karen Chan Kar-loen Chairperson of Obstetrics and Gynaecology 11 HKUMed News Summer 2022
FEATURE A deep compassion for psychiatric patients, whose disease impacts not only their health but their quality of life, plus a fascination with the ‘mystique’ of psychiatry, drew Dr Chang Wing-chung, who read medicine at CUHK, into this field. Now, as the new Chairperson of Psychiatry, he aims to further strengthen research and deepen public awareness to combat the stigma of mental health. ‘Psychiatric patients may not have an immediate risk of death, but their career opportunities, social relationship and quality of life could be significantly compromised owing to the mental illness. They may also find it difficult to explain their symptoms, especially hallucinations, delusions and cluttered thoughts, or even dismiss these symptoms as normal. Sometimes they are even denied proper treatment because their family refuses to accept their condition,’ he said. ‘Compared with other medical specialties, there is a lot that remains unexplored in psychiatry.’ The growing burden of mental health challenges around the Let No Life Be Idle ↑The Department of Psychiatry regularly organises school talks and workshops to raise public awareness on mental health issues. 精神科學系定期舉辦校 園講座與工作坊，加深 公衆對精神健康的認識。 Dr Chang Wing-chung Chairperson of Psychiatry 12
world gives urgency to his mission. The World Health Organization has identified mental disorder as the number one disability in the world. The World Economic Forum also estimates mood disorders will cost the world economy US$16 trillion in direct and indirect costs between 2010 and 2030. In addition to severe mental illness such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and other psychotic disorders, the increasingly prevalent mood disorders of anxiety and depression may also lead to dire consequences for the patients, their family and carers. Locally, data on patients with severe mental illness show that they have a shorter lifespan by eight to 10 years and are more likely to fall ill. ‘To my surprise, the quality of medical treatment they receive for physical diseases may be suboptimal – for example, there is evidence showing that they are less likely to undergo necessary cardiac procedures after myocardial infarction and their mortality rate is higher. Sometimes even we, the psychiatrists, fail to be fully aware of the physical health disparities experienced by people suffering from severe mental illness, let alone experts from other specialties,’ he said. As Chairperson of Psychiatry, Dr Chang hopes to improve patients’ lives by guiding the Department in several directions. One direction is to contribute new knowledge about mental illnesses, for instance by building on the solid foundation on a well-established research platform for early psychosis, and by producing more knowledge on child and adolescent psychiatric needs in Hong Kong. He is also keen to promote new technologies in research. Some colleagues are exploring other treatment modalities such as various non-invasive brain stimulation techniques, which can be effective in treating depression and some other disorders. Mobile apps and wearables also hold much promise for monitoring symptoms, predicting outcomes and as potential interventions. A more basic research question concerning the integration of neuroscience and psychiatry is also being studied in collaboration with the Department of Diagnostic Radiology and State Key Laboratory of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, to name a few. ‘If we can further our understanding of the links between neuroscience and psychiatric symptoms, it will help us develop tailor-made, specific treatments for the mentally ill,’ he said. ‘This is why I think psychiatry is an exciting field. It is full of opportunities to discover new knowledge, like a new continent awaiting to be explored.’ Academic and clinical matters are not his only concerns. Dr Chang hopes the public can become more compassionate towards psychiatric patients, though he admits this is an uphill effort. ‘Ultimately, if we understand the origin and causes of mental illness better via research, we can offer better treatment with better outcomes, and dispel misunderstanding and stigma,’ he said. Dr Chang himself stays on an even keel through devotion to family life, a growing interest in Chinese history, watching his beloved Juventus football team, and staying fit. ‘I enjoy jogging. Running is quite relaxing and stress free,’ he said. ↑Dr Chang is keen to promote adolescent psychiatric health in Hong Kong. 張頴宗醫生樂於為促進 香港青少年精神健康而 努力。 ←The closing event of Mindshift School Mental Health Programme - a school-base mental health promotion project organised by the Department of Psychiatry. 「思動計劃」由精神醫學 系主辦，是專為本地中 學教師和學生而設的精 神健康計劃。 ‘If we can further our understanding of the links between neuroscience and psychiatric symptoms, it will help us develop tailor-made, specific treatments for the mentally ill. This is why I think psychiatry is an exciting field. It is full of opportunities to discover new knowledge, like a new continent awaiting to be explored.’ Dr Chang Wing-chung 13 HKUMed News Summer 2022
Eyes on the Bigger Picture Professor Christopher Leung Kai-shun became Chairperson of Ophthalmology a year ago and it has been go-go-go ever since. Apart from research, clinical, teaching and administrative duties, he has been overseeing a landmark development – the opening of the HKU Eye Centre scheduled for July, which for the first time will provide his Department with a home base for both research and serving people in need. The busy-ness suits him just fine. ‘What interests me most is productivity that enhances research development and patient care,’ he proclaims. Professor Leung came to ophthalmology precisely because of the opportunities to tackle multiple challenges at once. ‘I was attracted to the unique combination of medicine and surgery – you have the challenges of diagnosing complicated eye diseases, the reward of providing medical and surgical interventions to restore vision, and the opportunity to build long-term relationships with patients. When patients are successfully treated, they can enjoy immediate and substantial improvement to their quality of life, which is satisfying. Ophthalmology is a diverse and vibrant specialty,’ he said. His enthusiasm augments a strong track record that includes training in both medicine (MBBS and MD degrees from CUHK) and research (MSc in Molecular Medicine from Imperial College London), a string of research awards, and experience establishing start-up companies to translate new discoveries into clinical applications. He is now leading a young department – established only in 2013 – and is ambitious in his vision for the development of ophthalmology at HKU and generally in Hong Kong. ‘We have a relatively short history compared to other departments, which means there is more potential for growth and the development of our research and ‘I was attracted to the unique combination of medicine and surgery – you have the challenges of diagnosing complicated eye diseases, the reward of providing medical and surgical interventions to restore vision, and the opportunity to build long-term relationships with patients.’ Professor Christopher Leung Kai-shun ↑The Department of Ophthalmology offers eye examination services to the Southern District community via the Eye Examination Scheme. 眼科學系透過「眼科檢 查計劃」為南區居民提 供眼科檢查服務。 FEATURE 14
clinical work,’ he said. The HKU Eye Centre will be central to those goals. Located on one full floor in Wong Chuk Hang, it benefits from the developer’s concessionary rent and a major donation to support pro bono services for those in need, such as residents of sub-divided units and Comprehensive Social Security Assistance households – an urgently needed provision given the wait for cataract operations alone extends to four years in Hong Kong’s public healthcare system. ‘The HKU Eye Centre will be a hub of clinical service, clinical research and charity,’ he said. The Department is also working with Orbis this year on a territory-wide project to identify patients with eye diseases such as glaucoma, cataracts and agerelated macular degeneration and treat those in need. This will also provide a wider pool of subjects for research. Other items on Professor Leung’s to-do list include recruiting more talent, enhancing mentorship for colleagues, providing greater support for research development, and building stronger bridges with cell biologists, computer scientists and AI experts. Connections are also being made with other disciplines, such as a project with the Department of Mechanical Engineering to develop noninvasive imaging approaches to measure blood flow in the eye. Progress has been somewhat slowed by the COVID-19 pandemic, but Professor Leung remains energised and optimistic through his love of work, his Christian faith, and regular physical activity such as weekly hikes in the country parks around Queen Mary Hospital. ‘My message to colleagues and students is, don’t give up. There have been frustrations and inconveniences these past two years, but there are always new opportunities. Seize the day,’ he said. ↓Team members of the Southern District Signature Project - Eye Examination Scheme. 「社區重點項目計劃」 之「眼科檢查計劃」團隊 成員。 Professor Christopher Leung Kai-shun Chairperson of Ophthalmology 15 HKUMed News Summer 2022
FEATURE The Nerve Centre for Infection Control HKUMed’s Department of Microbiology has become worldrenowned for its research on SARS-CoV-2, an achievement made possible by its long history of expertise in infectious diseases. In fact, it was the Department’s successful work on SARS in 2003 that inspired the current Chairperson, Dr Kelvin To Kai-wang, to become a microbiologist. Dr To was in the final year of his MBBS at HKUMed, having earlier earned a Bachelor of Science in microbiology. He had decided to pursue medicine because he wanted to work with patients, but watching microbiologists tackle the urgent threat of SARS made him realise he could combine both fields. ‘Graduating during the SARS epidemic made me feel that microbiology as a clinical specialty was worthy of pursuing. ↓Research by members of the Department of Microbiology on coronavirus, published in Lancet in 2003. 微生物學系於2003年 在醫學期刊 《刺針》 發表有關冠狀病毒的 研究。 ‘I am happy to take on whatever duty that can benefit the Department and the University. I don’t see it as a burden.’ Dr Kelvin To Kai-wang Dr Kelvin To Kai-wang Chairperson of Microbiology 16
We see patients on the wards, prescribe drugs and advise doctors at the bedside. This working mode suits me quite well because I prefer seeing patients face-to-face,’ he said. Over the years, he has developed expertise in influenza and emerging viruses, including such work as decoding the genetic sequence of SARS-CoV-2 virus strains in infectious patients. He has also developed a keen awareness of the Faculty’s fault lines, which he is anxious to fix. ‘Our earlier research prepared us for situations like COVID-19 and we have been able to produce a great deal of new research on the virus. But it has also identified shortfalls in terms of being able to give greater support to the community,’ he said. Foremost is the need to be able to quickly translate research findings into applications. Hong Kong currently lacks mechanisms for mass production and advanced clinical testing, which is hampering the development of new drugs and vaccines. Instead, scientists must rely on collaborators in mainland China and overseas. ‘If we want to expedite our response to future pandemics, we need to build a more robust infrastructure to facilitate this process. We have a good reason to do so because wherever a new drug or vaccine has been developed, it almost always tends to be reserved for fellow citizens of the developer’s country instead of being widely available to others in the first instance,’ he said. ‘We now know where the bottlenecks are, which will make it easier for us to tackle them.’ The pandemic has brought an unexpected bonus, though, by inspiring innovation in teaching. Before COVID-19, students learned how to do nasopharyngeal swabs by practising on each other. Now, with the help of Dr To’s former classmate, Dr Christian Fang Xinshuo of the Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, a 3D-printed head and nose model has been created that can be dissembled to show students the nasal cavity and where the swab should reach. The models can also be shared with other specialties such as otorhinolaryngology for teaching. ‘This is a windfall opportunity that we never would have thought of before the pandemic,’ said Dr To, who finds teaching as rewarding as research and clinical work. One of his favourite role models is Professor Richard Yu Yue-hong (MBBS 1958), who as a private doctor spent one evening every week training students and staff in public hospitals, where Dr To was trained. ‘He was very patient and encouraged me a lot. His example inspired me to think that it is not enough to be a practising doctor. We must also teach and pass our knowledge to the next generation,’ he said. Dr To added, ‘I am happy to take on whatever duty that can benefit the Department and the University. I don’t see it as a burden.’ ↑Dr Kelvin To demonstrates sample collection for analysis at his laboratory 杜啟泓醫生展示有待實 驗室分析的樣本 →Members of the Department discovered rat hepatitis E is a human pathogen in 2018. 微生物學系於2018年 發現大鼠戊型肝炎病毒 （C物種）可引起人類 肝炎。 ←The 3D-printed head and nose model, created with the help of Dr Christian Fang Xinshuo of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, enables students to have a better understand of how to collect a nasopharyngeal swab specimen. 杜醫生展示由矯形及創 傷外科學系方欣碩醫生 協助製作的立體打印頭 鼻模型。該模型拆開 後，可更清晰地向學 生展示以鼻腔拭子採樣 的正確位置。 17 HKUMed News Summer 2022
The academic leaders portrayed on these pages have all faced a major early test in their new roles with COVID-19. Their responses offer welcome insights into their resilience and their ability to think outside the box and discover new pathways. They have embraced opportunities to innovate in teaching through technology. Dr To’s 3D-printed head is one example, as is the use of virtual reality in Ophthalmology. ‘This is giving students exposure that would have been impossible in traditional face-to-face training,’ Professor Christopher Leung said. ‘Wherever there is danger, there lurks opportunity.’ Dr Chan’s take on COVID-19 is that it has spurred people to pursue new directions. ‘I don’t see it reducing morale, but rather encouraging creativity, teamwork and dedication. Every day the situation is slightly different and people are working together and thinking of new ways to handle all these challenges.’ All Chairpersons acknowledge that the pandemic has been stressful for everyone, particularly in Psychiatry where it directly affects mental health. But even here there have been some upsides, Dr Chang said, as the need to work through Zoom has strengthened students’ interview skills, which are necessary for diagnosing and treating patients. The experience has also been unifying for staff, said Professor Leung Wing-hang. ‘Morale remains high because we know that working together, we can beat the situation,’ he said – something to which Dr To, as a microbiologist, can attest. ‘Pandemics all eventually go away. Our normal life will be restored and become better than before. So we should stay positive,’ he said. COVID-19: Finding Hope and Inspiration Since 2020 all professional examinations (written and clinical) conducted at HKUMed were of the same high standard as preCOVID-19. FEATURE 18
薪學 火術 相領 傳袖 ：新任命 港大醫學院獲泰晤士高等教育評 為世界排名首20位的醫學院之一， 在新冠肺炎疫情期間的研究亦影響全 球，充分體現其國際上的領導地位。 學院的成就取決於其優秀人才。港大 醫學院最近任命了一批新的學術領 袖，他們擁有豐富多元的背景⸺從 經驗豐富的醫學專家到醫學界的明日 之星⸺將繼續秉承學院的卓越成就 和抱負。 獲任命新系主任的學系包括微生 物學系、婦產科學系、眼科學系、兒 童及青少年科學系、精神醫學系，以 及矯形及創傷外科學系。他們將跟隨 前人的腳步，繼往開來。 院長梁卓偉教授表示：「我謹代 表院長辦公室仝寅感謝各位前任系主 任的卓越貢獻，我們亦充分認識到領 導層更替的重要性。這是任何成功機 構⸺尤其大學的學院⸺的長期目 標，為此我很高興，歡迎各位系主任 履新。」 上述幾位新任系主任將聯同其他 八位臨床醫學學院的系主任，成為新 成立的臨床醫學學院成員，以達致擴 充規模、 提升效率， 並更充分地運 用資源。臨床醫學學院其他學系包括 麻醉學系、臨床腫瘤學系、放射診 斷學系、急症醫學系、家庭醫學及 基層醫療學系、內科學系、病理學 系和外科學系。 梁卓偉教授表示：「港大醫學院 在不少專科領先亞太地區，我們將一 如以往，全心全意追求卓越，並提升 我們的競爭力，持續發展。」 本刊上一期已介紹新任矯形及創 傷外科學系系主任鍾培言醫生，今期 其餘五位新任系主任將分享他們的經 驗，以及推動他們專業發展的願景。 港大醫學院為 世界排名首 20 位的醫學院之一 19 HKUMed News Summer 2022
學有所成 回饋母校 「人力資源是所有資源中最重要的一環。 我的首要目標之一是栽培和培訓新一代 教授及臨床醫學科學家。」 ― 梁永恆教授 梁永恆教授去年就任兒童及青少 年科學系系主任，並對能夠「回家」 心存感激⸺他於30多年前畢業於港 大醫學院⸺現在他正領導一個在研 究和教育方面備受尊崇的學系，並憑 著這些優勢界定自己的角色。 「學系正在朝著成功的正確方向 邁進，所以我堅持兩個簡單的原則： 第一，『東西沒壞掉就不要修理』；第 二，不要好高騖遠。」 梁教授在學術和行政方面擁有豐 富經驗。他在英國約翰霍普金斯大學 完成博士學位後，在聖裘德兒童研究 醫院工作了 20 多年，並獲晉升為骨 髓移植及細胞治療部門主管。隨後， 他在生物技術公司 Miltenyi Biotec 工作了幾年，擔任臨床開發副總裁。 梁教授的事業軌跡一直圍繞兒科 癌症、血液、感染和免疫疾病的新型 移植和免疫治療方法的發展⸺這一 切始於他在瑪麗醫院實習時遇到的一 位病人。 當時，梁教授負責照顧一名因急 性巨核細胞白血病入院的少年，深受 化療所引起的併發症之苦，最終病故。 梁教授憶述：「這位病人的情況，啟 發我去尋找一種更好的方法來治療癌 症，而不會產生化療的嚴重副作用。」 其後，梁教授改良骨髓移植和細胞療 法，讓患有復發性或持續性急性白血 病的兒童得到更顯著的治療效果。 回到港大醫學院後，梁教授運用 自己的專業知識建立了一個兒科免疫 組學項目，旨在加深對兒童疾病的了 解、確定新的治療目標、產生新的治 療細胞和監測疾病反應。新一代的合 成生物學和免疫組分析將指日可待。 此外，梁教授亦要履行新職位的 行政職責，尤其是解決問題時不可或 缺的團隊合作。「我的研究進展順利， 部分歸功於香港的研究人才，以及港 大出色的研究環境。」他說。「擔任系 主任實際上為我節省了相當多的時 間，因為事情通常會更快取得進展。」 學系當前面對的重大挑戰，主要 在於新冠肺炎疫情期間，學生不能進 入病房觀察患有常見傳染病的兒童， 同時也耽誤了研究。但展望未來， 梁教授看到很多機會，特別是學系著 意招募年輕人才。 「人力資源是所有資源中最重要 的一環。我的首要目標之一是栽培和 培訓新一代教授及臨床醫學科學家。 另一個目標是通過跨部門和跨機構合 作，包括海外和內地的合作夥伴，來 擴大我們的研究計劃。」 梁教授是虔誠的基督徒，亦有恆 常運動的習慣，培養出平靜的舉止， 定會對新入職員工有所啟發：「『 不可 含怒到日落 』，否則會影響睡眠。藉 著祈禱和閱讀經文，我總會找到持續 的平安和希望。」 →兒童及青少年科學系 團隊 The HKU Paed team 兒童及青少年科學系系主任 梁永恆教授 FEATURE 20
典範的力量 「我希望員工對研究持開放態度，不只視研 究為實驗室工作或收集臨床數據。婦產科 是一門非常廣泛的學科，可再細分為各種 專科，例如生殖、婦科腫瘤科、母胎醫學 及泌尿婦科。」 ― 陳嘉倫醫生 陳嘉倫醫生去年接任婦產科學系 系主任一職時，已意識到自己身負重 任。 她說：「我們的學系歷史悠久， 前人成就非凡， 如馬鍾可璣教授、 何柏松教授、顏婉嫦教授等，為學系 以至香港整體婦女健康的發展貢獻良 多。現在我接過棒來，相信大家也會 對我抱有同樣的期望罷？」 陳醫生擁有深厚的臨床背景，銳 意擴大和推進學系研究的視野，並深 切了解作為良好榜樣的影響力，讓她 具有履行此職位的優勢，在初出茅廬 時亦幫助她作出專科的抉擇。 從英國劍橋大學畢業並完成實習 後，陳醫生在倫敦聖佐治醫院的急症 室工作，當時她仍未選定自己的專科。 有一次，一名孕婦因流產而大量出血， 一位婦產科醫生應召到場支援。 「他是一位年輕的醫生，舉止彬 彬有禮，很有耐心。他冷靜地做了一 個檢查，幾分鐘內就把局面穩定下來。 我覺得這太棒了，亦覺得這也是我可 以為病人做的事情，所以我決定嘗試 婦產科。」 此後，陳醫生繼續專攻婦科腫瘤 學，除研究外亦肩負起學術界的領導 職務。她現在鼓勵同事採取這種積極 主動的做法⸺尤其是學系在招聘方 面正面臨巨大挑戰。幾乎所有全職臨 床教授都已退休，或將於未來幾年內 退休。 「人手是我們目前一個很大的挑 戰，而我們正在開拓各種招賢納士的 途徑。畢業生一般還是想做婦產科的， 但未必願意從事學術研究。我們可以 改變的，就是讓更多研究人員分享他 們的研究及令人振奮的體會，藉以鼓 勵更多人走上學術之路。」 「隨著人手增加，我們的學術人 員可以投放更多時間討論研究和專業 發展。這肯定會啟發新的見解。」 陳醫生鼓勵研究人員大膽思考， 主動提出更大規模的研究項目，與不 同學科、國家以至非政府組織合作， 並應用新技術：「我希望員工對研究持 開放態度，不只視研究為實驗室工作 或收集臨床數據。婦產科是一門非常 廣泛的學科，可再細分為各種專科， 例如生殖、婦科腫瘤科、母胎醫學及 泌尿婦科。」 陳醫生現正與更多本地醫院商討 教學上的合作，以確保新生有足夠的 臨床機會。 縱使工作日程已經排得密麻麻， 陳醫生仍很享受多元化的忙碌。她喜 歡嘗試新事物⸺從旱地滑雪、社交 舞和太極拳， 到一對一的普通話課 程⸺每天都以祈禱、反思和短暫的 高強度運動開始，讓她保持腳踏實地 和精力充沛：「我相信迎接挑戰能讓生 活更加豐盛。」 ↑婦產科學系導修課 O&G tutorial lesson 婦產科學系系主任 陳嘉倫醫生 21 HKUMed News Summer 2022
別讓生命虛度 「如果我們能夠進一步了解神經科學與精神病症狀 之間的聯繫，將有助我們為精神病患者度身訂造特 定的治療方法。精神醫學充滿發現新知識的機會， 就像新大陸一樣有待探索，我認為這正是精神醫學 引人入勝之處。」 ― 張頴宗醫生 精神病不僅影響患者健康，更大 幅降低他們的生活質素。出於對精神 病患者的深切同情，加上被精神病學 的「神秘感」所吸引，當年在香港中文 大學修讀醫科的張頴宗醫生遂決定選 修精神科。現在身為港大醫學院新任 精神醫學系系主任，他的目標是加強 研究，並加深公眾對精神病的認識， 以消除大眾對精神病的誤解。 張醫生表示：「精神病患者或許 沒有即時的性命危險，但他們的就業 機會、社會關係和生活質素或因而受 到嚴重影響。同時，他們可能在解釋 自己的症狀方面出現困難，尤其是幻 覺、妄想和雜亂的想法，甚或以為這 些症狀是正常現象。有時他們甚至因 為家人拒絕接受其病情而錯失治療的 良機。與其他醫學專科相比，精神醫 學還有很多尚待探索的地方。」 全球因心理健康而造成的負擔日 益沉重，讓張醫生的使命變得迫在眉 睫。世界衞生組織已將精神障礙列為 世界最普遍的殘疾。此外，世界經濟 論壇亦估計，於2010年至2030年間， 情緒障礙對世界經濟造成的直接和間 接損失，將高達16萬億美元。除嚴重 的精神障礙如精神分裂、躁鬱症及其 他精神障礙，日漸普遍的情緒障礙如 抑鬱和焦慮，亦可能對患者、其家人 及照顧者帶來嚴重後果。 在本港，數據顯示嚴重精神病患 者的壽命較非患者短八至十年，而且 更容易患病。張醫生坦言始料不及：「令 我驚訝的是，他們接受的醫療服務質 素往往並不理想⸺例如有證據顯 示，他們在心肌梗塞後較少接受必要 的心臟手術，導致更高的死亡率。有 時即使我們是精神科醫生，也未能充 分理解患有嚴重精神疾病的人所經歷 的身體健康差異，更不用說其他專科 醫生了。」 身為精神醫學系系主任，張醫生 希望從多方面領導學系，以改善患者 的生活。其一是協助發掘有關精神病 的新知識，例如在思覺失調相關硏究 所建立的穩固基礎上，進一步加以發 展；以及提供更多有關香港兒童和青 少年精神疾病需要的知識。 此外，張醫生也熱衷於推廣新的 研究技術。有同事正在探索其他治療 方式，例如各種非侵入性腦刺激技術， 可有效治療抑鬱症及其他疾病。手機 應用程式和可穿戴的設備也將有助監 測症狀、預測結果並作為潛在介入措 施。精神醫學系亦正與放射診斷學系 及腦與認知科學國家重點實驗室等單 位合作，研究一個關於整合神經科學 和精神醫學的基礎題目。 「如果我們能夠進一步了解神經科 學與精神病症狀之間的聯繫，將有助 我們為精神病患者度身訂造特定的治 療方法。精神醫學充滿發現新知識的 機會，就像新大陸一樣有待探索，我 認為這正是精神醫學引人入勝之處。」 學術和臨床事務並非他唯一關心 的問題。張醫生希望公眾能夠對精神 病患者更有同情心，儘管他承認要達 成這個目標，工作相當艱巨：「歸根 究柢，如果我們通過研究，對精神病 的起源和成因有更好的了解，就可以 提供更好的治療和效果，並消除公眾 誤解。」 張醫生之所以能夠保持心境平 和，跟他熱愛家庭生活、對中國歷史 興趣日益濃厚、觀看心愛的祖雲達斯 足球隊比賽及保持身體健康不無關係。 「我喜歡慢跑，那讓我很放鬆，沒有 壓力。」 ↑精神醫學系舉辦為 中學老師而設的工作 坊，介紹如何處理與 管理壓力。 Workshops for secondary school teachers organised by the Department of Psychiatry introduce various ways of stress control and management. 精神醫學系系主任 張頴宗醫生 FEATURE 22
放眼大局 「眼科兼備內科和外科的特色深深吸引著我⸺ 既要面對診斷複雜眼科疾病的挑戰，也有通過 治療及手術回復病人視力的成功感，而且可與 他們建立長期關係。」 ― 梁啟信教授 梁啟信教授自去年前成為眼科學 系系主任以來，一直馬不停蹄。除了 研究、臨床、教學和行政職責外，他 一直在督導一項學系發展的里程 碑⸺定於七月開幕的香港大學眼科 中心，將為學系提供首個研究和服務 市民的基地。梁教授享受忙碌，並直 言：「令我最感興趣的就是提升研究 及病人護理的工作效率。」 梁教授選擇眼科，正是因為有機 會同時應對多重挑戰：「眼科兼備內科 和外科的特色深深吸引著我⸺既要 面對診斷複雜眼科疾病的挑戰，也有 通過治療及手術回復病人視力的成功 感，而且可與他們建立長期關係。當 患者治療成功，他們的生活質素可以 立即得到實質改善，令我感到很滿足。 所以說眼科是一個多元化和充滿活力 的專科。」 梁教授的熱忱促使他交出亮麗的 成績表⸺包括醫學培訓（香港中文 大學醫學院內外全科醫學士和博士學 位）和研究（倫敦帝國理工學院的分子 醫學理學碩士）、一系列的研究獎項， 以及成立初創公司把新發明付諸臨床 應用。 他現正領導成立於 2013 年的年 輕學系，對眼科在香港大學及香港的 發展充滿雄心壯志：「與其他部門學系 相比，我們的歷史較短，這意味著我 們的研究和臨床工作有更大的增長和 發展潛力。」 香港大學眼科中心將成為實現這 些目標的關鍵。眼科中心位於�竹坑， 佔地一整層，得到發展商的租金優惠 及一筆重要捐款，為劏房戶和綜援家 庭等有需要人士提供免費白內障手術 服務⸺在香港公共醫療體系中，輪 候白內障手術時間長達四年，可見本 港社會對這些服務需求殷切。梁教授 表示：「港大眼科中心將成為臨床服 務、臨床研究和慈善工作的樞紐。」 此外，眼科學系今年將與奧比斯 合作開展一個全港項目，以識別患有 青光眼、白內障和老年性�斑病變等 眼疾的患者，並為有需要人士提供治 療。這個項目也有助擴大病人群組， 作為研究對象。 ←「眼科檢查計劃」讓 五十歲或以上的南區 居民可免費接受一次 由眼科學系提供的眼 科檢查。 The Department of Ophthamology provides one-time free eye examination to residents of Southern District aged 50 or above. 4 年 香港公共醫療體系輪候 白內障手術的平均時間 years of waiting needed for cataract operations in Hong Kong’s public healthcare system 梁教授的工作清單還包括招募更 多人才、加強對同事的指導、為研究 發展提供更大的支援，以及與細胞生 物學家、電腦科學家和人工智能專家 建立更鞏固的合作關係。同時，眼科 學系其他跨學科合作項目包括與機械 工程系共同開發非侵入性影像系統， 以量度眼睛內的血流量。 新冠疫情某程度上減慢了工作進 度，但梁教授對工作的熱愛、基督教 信仰和定期運動（例如每星期在瑪麗 醫院附近的郊野公園遠足），讓他保持 活力和樂觀。 「我寄語同事和同學，不要放棄。 過去兩年縱有挫折和不便，新的機會 總會出現，必須好好把握。」 眼科學系系主任 梁啟信教授 23 HKUMed News Summer 2022
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