MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT - HKCOG...I feel particularly honoured to be College President at her...
Transcript of MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT - HKCOG...I feel particularly honoured to be College President at her...
I feel particularly honoured to be College President
at her 25th Anniversary. I would like to take this chance to
once again congratulate the two new honorary fellows, Dr
Lawrence TANG and Prof. Dennis LO.
It is now just over half a year since college office
bearers took the vow, and we
encountered some
illustrative events to
demonstrate our stand and
strengths. I am grateful to
the Council, training units,
and individuals for the
support. The Council is now
well‐connected, with use of
IT for information dispatch
and consultation.
With active support of Council members, very soon
after we assumed office in 2013, the College collectively
formed a middle‐of‐road position to a government
consultation on breast milk substitute products, while we
also supported breast feeding. In a more recent issue on
training to genetics and genomics, the College aligned our
stand with that of the Academy quickly after rapid
consultation with Council members. Academy will take
lead and we shall support. We may organize further
training activities according to educational and service
needs.
The college has been consulted by the Department
of Health to participate in 2 expert groups to formulate
policies on monitoring of outpatient endoscopy and
surgical procedures. Our representation endeavours to
help the government to balance public accountability
versus necessity to control. Hopefully there will only be
reasonable disturbance to practice efficiency and society
cost.
Our college is supportive in contribution to
celebrative events towards the 20th Anniversary of Hong
Kong Academy of Medicine. This includes public exposure
to foster good relations, and will summate with a congress
and fellowship conferment in
early December.
Time after time since
childhood, each person
experiences that we
collectively stand only when
there is mutual support, and
a divided group is subject to
mercy of others. The
College has taken up
responsibility to assist her constituents whenever it is
appropriate. There had been isolated concern on
individual training units in relation to workload fluctuation.
The College has continually monitored workload
distribution to trainees with reference to training
documents. The Education Committee concluded that our
training is still healthy. It may now be particularly
reassuring to trainees, fellows and the society because the
College has moved onto competence based assessment
from traditional sole consideration about exposure
statistics. This credit of our college rightly belongs to our
many trainers, and particularly Prof. Tony CHUNG who
introduced this concept to our college.
LEUNG Kwok Ling Ares (President)
Volume 21 Issue 1 August 2013
MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT
2 DialOGue
The composition of Committees for 2013 is as follows:
Finance & Executive Committee
Chairman Dr LEUNG Kwong Ling Ares
Members Dr AU YEUNG Kam Chuen Sidney
Dr CHAN Kar Loen Karen
Prof. LEUNG Tak Yeung
Dr LEUNG Wing Cheong
Dr YU Kai Man
Education Committee
Chairman Dr LEUNG Wing Cheong
Members Dr AU YEUNG Kam Chuen Sidney
Dr CHAN Chung Sum Sammy
Dr CHAN Wan Pang
Dr CHOW Kam Ming
Dr FUNG Tak Yuen
Dr LEUNG Kwok Ling Ares
Prof. LEUNG Tak Yeung
Prof. NG Hung Yu Ernest
Dr TAI Chark Man
Dr TAM Wing Hung
Dr TO Wing Kee William
Dr YEUNG Po Chi Anita
Dr YU Kai Man
Dr LAW Jessica Yun Pui
CME/CPD Committee
Chairman Dr WONG Se Hung Wilfred
Members Dr AU YEUNG Kam Chuen Sidney
Dr CHEON Cecilia Willy
Prof. HO Pak Chung
Dr LAM Wai Cheung
Prof. LAO Tzu Hsi Terence
Dr LEUNG Kwok Ling Ares
Dr LEUNG Tse Ngong
Prof. NG Hung Yu Ernest
Dr NG Pui Shan
Dr NG Tong Yow
Dr TANG Kwok Hung
Dr TSE Kai Tai
Dr YIP Shing Kai Alexander
Dr YU Kai Man
Dr YUEN Tak Ho Paul
Quality Assurance Committee
Chairman Dr LEUNG Kwok Ling Ares
Members Dr AU YEUNG Kam Chuen Sidney
Dr CHAN Chong Pun
Dr CHAN Chung Sum Sammy
Dr CHAN Kuen Ting
Dr CHAN Lin Wai Daniel
Dr CHAN Woon Tong Joseph
Dr CHEUNG Kai Bun
Dr CHEUNG Tak Hong
Dr CHU Wai Yee
Dr DOO Alexander Kenneth
Dr FUNG Tak Yuen
Dr LAU Woon Chung
Dr LEE Kai Wan
Prof. LEUNG Tak Yeung
Dr LEUNG Wing Cheong
Dr LIAUW Linna
Dr MOK Ka Ming
Prof. NGAN Yuen Sheung Hextan
Dr YEUNG Tim Wing
Dr YU Kai Man
Dr YUEN Pong Mo
Manpower Committee
Chairman Dr LEUNG Kwok Yin
Members Dr AU YEUNG Kam Chuen Sidney
Dr FUNG Tak Yuen
Dr LAU Wai Lam
Dr LEUNG Kwok Ling Ares
Dr LI Hang Wun Raymond
COUNCIL NEWS
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Dr TO Wing Kee William
Dr WONG To
Dr YU Kai Man
Subspecialty Committee
Chairman Dr CHEUNG Tak Hong
Members Dr AU YEUNG Kam Chuen Sidney
Dr CHAN Kar Loen Karen
Dr CHEON Cecilia Willy
Dr GO Wing Wa
Dr LEUNG Kwok Ling Ares
Dr LEUNG Kwok Yin
Prof. LEUNG Tak Yeung
Prof. NG Hung Yu Ernest
Dr NG Tong Yow
Dr YU Kai Man
Ethics Committee
Chairman Dr YEUNG Po Chi Anita
Members Dr AU YEUNG Kam Chuen Sidney
Mr CHANG Woody
Prof. LAO Tzu Hsi Terence
Dr LEUNG Kwok Ling Ares
Dr LO Siu Fai Leslie
Dr PUN Ting Chung
Dr TANG Hoi Yin Mary
Dr YU Kai Man
Internal Relationship / DialOGue
Chief Editor Dr LO Tsz Kin
Editors Dr NG Kwun Sin Vivian
Dr YUNG Wai Kuen
Public Relations & Information Resources Committee
Chairman Dr AU YEUNG Kam Chuen Sidney
Members Dr CHAN Kuen Ting
Dr CHEUNG Kai Bun
Prof. HAINES Christopher
Dr LAU Tze Kin
Dr LAW Chi Lim
Dr LEE Chin Peng
Dr LEUNG Kwok Ling Ares
Prof. NGAN Yuen Sheung Hextan
Dr SO Wai Ki William
Dr YIP Shing Kai Alexander
Dr YU Kai Man
Fellowship Selection Committee
Chairman Dr CHAN Chong Pun
Members Dr AU YEUNG Kam Chuen Sidney
Dr LEUNG Kwok Ling Ares
Dr LEUNG Wing Cheong
Dr YU Kai Man
Review Committee
Chairman Dr CHEUNG Kai Bun
Information Technology Committee
Chairman Dr TANG Kwok Keung
Members Dr AU YEUNG Kam Chuen Sidney
Dr CHAN Chong Pun
Dr CHAN Lin Wai Daniel
Dr CHEUNG Mei Ling
Dr LEUNG Kwok Ling Ares
Dr WONG Daniel
Dr YU Kai Man
Service Development Working Group
Chairman Dr FUNG Tak Yuen
Members Dr AU YEUNG Kam Chuen Sidney
Dr CHAN Woon Tong Joseph
Dr CHEUNG Tak Hong
Dr CHOW Kam Ming
Dr LAW Chi Lim
Dr LEUNG Kwok Ling Ares
Dr LEUNG Kwok Yin
Dr LEUNG Wing Cheong
Dr LO Ni Boon Peter
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Dr TANG Kwok Hung
Dr YEUNG Po Chi Anita
Dr YU Kai Man
Others
Spokesman Dr AU YEUNG Kam Chuen Sidney
Dr Ares LEUNG reported that the following nominations
for Office Bearers for 2014 had been received:
President: Dr LEUNG Kwok Ling Ares
Senior Vice‐President: Dr LEUNG Wing Cheong
Junior Vice‐President: Prof. LEUNG Tak Yeung
Honorary Treasurer: Dr YU Kai Man
Honorary Secretary: Dr AU YEUNG Kam Chuen Sidney
As there was only one nominee for each post, and there
was an adequate quorum in the Council, the nominees
were elected ipso facto.
The Council and Officers in AGM& Dinner June 2013. Note
that Prof. HK MA (our Founding President) has joined us
on screen through Face‐time from her home in London!
Dr WONG Yuen Kwan Alice would retire from the Council
at the end of 2013. Dr WONG served one term of office
only and would be eligible for re‐election.
As the elected Council members who would remain on
Council in 2014 would include:
Dr CHAN Lin Wai Daniel (Hospital Authority)
Dr CHOW Kam Ming (Hospital Authority)
Dr CHAN Kar Loen Karen (University)
Prof. NG Hung Yu Ernest (University)
Dr TAM Wing Hung (University)
Dr WONG Wai Yu Amelia (Private Sector)
Dr YIP Shing Kai Alexander (Private Sector)
The vacancy could be from: One Fellow who can be either
from Hospital Authority or Private Sector.
Nomination for this vacancy was called in July.
FINANCE MATTERS
The College account was healthy at HK$10.2million.
The salary of College secretary will be increased by one
point on the Civil Service / Hospital Authority General Pay
Scale plus 5% for inflation.
REPRESENTATION AT RCOG CONGRESS 2013
Dr LEUNG Wing Cheong attended the RCOG Congress in
Liverpool in June. He represented HKCOG in a special
meeting on Global Education in Mainland China and social
functions in the Congress.
Finance & Executive Committee
Election of Officers 2014
Retirement of Council Members
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HOSPITAL VISIT
After hospital visit on 13th November 2012, the Education
Committee recommended and the Council approved 12
combined training posts for Kwong Wah Hospital (KWH).
KWH will be re‐visited in 5 years’ time (in November
2017).
After hospital visit on 20th November 2012, the Education
Committee recommended and the Council approved 12
training posts for Tuen Mun Hospital (TMH). TMH will be
re‐visited in 5 years’ time (in November 2017).
RESEARCH
Trainees reported having problems in doing research for
their training, in particular, in the area related to statistics.
Trainees requested some practical tips in writing scientific
papers.
It was agreed to place a database, which archived all the
recent publications of trainees, under a column of
publication corner in the College website for reference by
new trainees in planning their research project.
HKCOG POSTGRADUATE SEMINAR IN
NOVEMBER 2013
The HKCOG Postgraduate Seminar on 10th November 2013
will be co‐organized with Department of Obstetrics and
Gynaecology, The University of Hong Kong. The theme is
on sexual and reproductive health. The visiting Professor
of The University of Hong Kong and Royal College of
Obstetricians and Gynaecologists examiner from the
United Kingdom are invited speakers.
EXIT ASSESSMENT IN JANURAY 2013
Six candidates applied for Exit Assessment in January 2013.
One of them failed to satisfy the research requirement
and was not allowed to sit the Exit Assessment.
The other 5 candidates passed the examination:
Dr CHUNG Pui Wah Jacqueline (PWH)
Dr FONG Sau Yee (QEH)
Dr LEE Man Hin Menelik (QEH)
Dr MAK Shui Lam (QEH)
Dr TAM Man Sum (PMH)
SOE IN APRIL 2013
Both of the 2 candidates recorded a pass in the April 2013
Examination:
Dr CHAN On Yee (UCH)
Dr KWOK Shuk Tak (PYNEH)
The followings were endorsed by the Council:
1) Retired specialist Fellows could retire from the
Continuing Medical Education and Continuous
Professional Development (CME/CPD) cycle and still
hold the FHKCOG title.
But if they want to keep their specialist registration,
they MUST participate in our College’s CME/CPD
program. The Medical Council has stipulated that for
a doctor’s name to remain on the Specialist’s Register,
he/she must show satisfactory participation in a
CME/CPD program recognized by Hong Kong
Academy of Medicine. Also according to the by‐laws
of Hong Kong Academy of Medicine, a doctor’s status
Education Committee
CME/CPD Committee
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as a Fellow of the Academy may be affected if he/she
fails to fulfill the requirement for CME/CPD.
2) According to CME/CPD guidelines item 6.3 (c),
Self‐study is only accredited with prior approval from
HKCOG, and with the necessary evidence that it has
been carried out diligently.
3) For Fellows whose primary practice is NOT in Hong
Kong, his/her CME points as recognized by their local
colleges could be considered if adequate information
was submitted for assessment.
Members attending meetings that did not have
attendance sheets provided need to obtain proof of
attendance and apply for CME points from the HKCOG.
The CME/CPD Committee has the final decision for all
CME/CPD applications.
SERVICE REVIEW SUBCOMMITTEE
The annual obstetric reports of service units differ
sometimes in format. Some use the audit form of the
Department of Health and some use the HKCOG audit
report. The Committee asked for standardized report from
all obstetric service units (private and public) in
accordance to the HKCOG audit form rather than that of
the Department of Health.
The College would not dictate the audit of individual unit
but would help them to have independent quality
assurance. Each unit should appoint an administrator in
charge (i.e. unit head). An HKCOG Fellow holds
responsibility in quality assuranc.
A letter will be sent to all service units for standardized
obstetric reports in quality assurance and audit.
The coming service accreditation will be combined
obstetrics and gynecological accreditation, every 5 years,
instead of separate obstetric/gynecological service
accreditation.
‐ Submission of annual report was required for
accreditation.
‐ If suggestion or recommendation is made during the
accreditation, the implementation of the suggestion
should be done as soon as possible and not until the
next round of service accreditation.
COLPOSCOPY ACCREDITATION SUBCOMMITTEE
Specialist Colposcopist & Specialist Colposcopist
Trainer accreditation
The application for accreditation of specialist colposcopist
& specialist colposcopy trainer from Dr LAM Wai Cheung
was approved.
Specialist Colposcopist & Specialist Colposcopist
Trainer reaccreditation
After the reaccreditation of colposcopist exercise in 2012,
two appeals for reinstatement of colposcopists were
received. One appeal was voluntarily withdrawn later. In
the other appeal, it was stated that the dis‐certification
was due to administrative misunderstanding of his unit
and his application was delayed. The appeal was made on
the special ground that, since he has been supervising
most of the colposcopic exams in his Cluster, training may
be adversely affected if his trainer status was not
maintained.
The QA Committee took sympathy in the situation, and
understood that the appellant in fact had completed an
Quality Assurance Committee
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adequate number of colposcopy examinations in the
period. Yet established principles had to be enforced. An
applicant needs to prospectively submit colposcopy audit
statistics and colposcopy related CMEs for reinstatement
of his colposcopist trainer status.
In May 2003, Q.A. Committee recommended and the
Council approved reinstatement of Dr LEE Hon Cheung’s
specialist colposcopist status.
Review of accreditation / reaccreditation
criteria
A request from President of The Hong Kong Society for
Colposcopy and Cervical Pathology was received to look
into the criteria for accreditation / reaccreditation of
colposcopist. It was noted that RCOG/BSCCP had updated
their accreditation criteria. Our existing criteria had been
in place for 10 years and required updating. A Working
Party led by Dr Karen CHAN and Dr MOK Ka Ming under
the Colposcopy Subcommittee of the Q.A. Committee will
look into this.
GYNECOLOGICAL ENDOSCOPY SUBCOMMITTEE
Q.A. Committee recommended and the Council approved
the following doctors for Gynecological Laparoscopic
Surgery (GLS) Accreditation.
Advanced Level
Dr CHO Lai Yin
Dr HO Yau Bong Winsom
Dr LEUNG Kit Tong
Dr WONG Sze Man
Dr YEUNG Sik Wing
Intermediate Level
Dr FUNG Wen Ying Linda
Dr KO Ka Yee Jennifer
Dr LAM Mei Ting
Dr LEE Ho Sze Jacqueline
Dr LO Lok Yan Noella
Dr WAH Yi Man
Dr WONG Kit Wah
Dr YUNG Shuk Fei
One application for Advanced Level GLS Accreditation was
not successful.
UROGYNECOLOGY SUBSPECIALTY TRAINING
Three candidates applied for a urogynecology training
post and an interview board was conducted on 28th
November 2012. One candidate was awarded the training
post and another candidate was put on a standby list to
take up the next available training post within 6 months.
A second training post later became available and was
awarded to this candidate on standby list on 11th January
2013.
ACCREDITATION/ REACCREDITATION CRITERIA
REVIEW
The Subspecialty Board will revisit the accreditation and
reaccreditation criteria for each subspecialty in the
coming 12 months to match the recent advances in
respective subspecialty.
Subspecialty Committee
Public Relations & Information Resources
Committee
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The list of experts nominated by the Council in 2013 was
endorsed.
General Gynecology
Dr CHAN Woon Tong Joseph
Dr CHEUNG Kai Bun
Prof. CHUNG Kwok Hung Tony
General Obstetrics
Dr LAM Yung Hang
Dr LEE Chin Peng
Dr LI Fuk Him Dominic
Gynecological Oncology
Dr CHEUNG Tak Hong
Prof. NGAN Yuen Sheung Hextan
Dr NG Tong Yow
Dr TAM Kar Fai
Obstetrical & Gynecological Ultrasound
Dr LAU Tze Kin
Dr SO Wai Ki William
Dr WOO Sai Kit Joseph
Reproductive Medicine
Prof. HAINES Christopher
Prof. HO Pak Chung
Dr NG Hung Yu Ernest
Maternal and Fetal Medicine
Prof. LAO Tzu Hsi Terence
Prof. LEUNG Tak Yeung
Dr LAU Tze Kin
Dr TANG Hoi Yin Mary
Urogynecology
Dr CHEON Cecilia Willy
Dr LAU Chung Ting
Dr YIP Shing Kai Alexander
ELECTION TO FELLOWSHIP
The following members were elected to FHKCOG based on
recommendations from the Fellowship Section Committee
Dr CHAN Man Chi
Dr CHAN Yuen Mei
Dr CHENG Mei Chi
Dr CHEUNG Yuk Tong
Dr HUI Shuk Yi Annie
Dr KONG Choi Wah
Dr LAI Wing Sze
Dr LAM Lap Po
Dr LEUNG Kit Tong
Dr TAM Wing Kei
Dr TUNG Chi Wai
Dr WONG Kit Wah
Dr WOO Hui Man Helen
Dr YAU Pui Kei Stephanie
Dr YEUNG Sik Wing
It was proposed that Review Committee handle all
appeals from our trainees, members and fellows for all
College matters.
For appeals that could not be settled by the relevant
Committees / Boards, Council might request the Review
Committee to look into the issue.
The membership applications of the following doctors
Fellowship Selection Committee
Review Committee
Election of New Members
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were approved by the Council:
Dr CHAI Yu Ka
Dr CHEUNG Ka Wang
Dr CHOW Kei Man
Dr CHUNG Wai Hang
Dr FONG Pik Lau
Dr FUNG Wen Ying Linda
Dr HO Ka Wai
Dr LAW Jessica Yun Pui
Dr LEE Ho Sze Jacqueline
Dr LEE Hui Ling Helena
Dr MATSUZONO Tomoko
Dr TAM Ching Ting
Dr WAN Hei Lok Tiffany
Dr YUNG Shuk Fei
The 25th Annual General Meeting was held at the Pao Yue
Kong Auditorium at the HKAM premises on 20th June
2013.
During the Annual General Meeting, the following were
confirmed and passed:
1) Minutes of the 24th Annual General Meeting held in
June 2012;
2) The Balance sheet and Accounts and the 2012 Report
of the Auditors;
3) The 2012 Annual Report of the Council ;
4) Re‐appointment and consideration of the
remuneration of the auditors, YH Tsang & Co for 2013;
and
5) Re‐appointment of the Honorary Legal Advisor, Mr
Woody CHANG for 2013.
Right after the Annual General Meeting, we were honored
to have the guest speech by Dr KO Wing Man, BBS, JP,
Secretary for Food and Health, Food and Health Bureau,
HKSAR.
Dr KO Wing Man, BBS, JP, delivering his speech
In the Conferment Ceremony that followed, Dr TANG
Chang Hung Lawrence and Prof LO Yuk Ming Dennis were
admitted as Honorary Fellows of our College. The LC HO
Award was presented to Dr LAU So Ling.
Citation for Prof. LO Yuk Ming Dennis (Prof.
LEUNG Tak Yeung)
“ Professor Yuk Ming Dennis LO is currently the Director of
the Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Sciences, Associate
Dean (Research), Faculty of Medicine, Li Ka Shing
Professor of Medicine and Professor of Chemical
Pathology at The Chinese University of Hong Kong.
Professor LO is recognized today around the world as an
authority who made non‐invasive prenatal diagnostics a
reality. To date, he had contributed over 300 publications
with total citations of 13,520 and an h‐index of 63.
25th Annual General Meeting
10 DialOGue
Prof. LEUNG Tak Yeung giving his citation for Prof. Dennis
LO
Reflecting upon his childhood, it seems that Professor LO
was destined to be a scientist since his youngest days.
Some of his earliest experiments involved insects and
small animals found wondering around his Kowloon home
which became his research subjects and were recruited
without informed consent. As a school boy, Scientific
American, National Geographic and Discover were among
the journals on his regular subscription list. It was through
these readings that he learned of the great works of the
scientific giants. He read about Charles DARWIN’s theory
of natural selection, pondered upon the garden pea
experiments conducted by Gregor MENDEL that revealed
the laws of inheritance, and gazed at the black and white
photograph where James WATSON and Francis CRICK
posed with a model of the DNA double helix. These iconic
stories captivated the young Dennis, who then was
determined to enter into medical school to learn the
wonders of human biology. In 1983, he was accepted into
the University of Cambridge where lecture hours were few.
Instead, students spent most of their time engaged in
open‐ended conversations with professors while being
nurtured in the academic atmosphere. After completing a
student thesis on gene cloning, Professor LO moved to the
University of Oxford for the remainder of his medical
studies.
It was here at Oxford that Professor LO had his first taste
of academic research. While attending an outpatient clinic
session as a medical student, he made an observation
where there was no explanation in the textbooks. He
developed his query into a hypothesis and proposed it to
his clinical tutor who replied with skepticism saying,
“Dennis, if you could think of this, I’m sure that others
would have thought of this already”. Driven by curiosity,
Professor LO spent hours turning the pages of volumes of
index medicus (the hard copy version of what is known as
Medline now) and found that there were only four earlier
case reports, confirming that his observations were
indeed correct though rare. His manuscript reporting
these observations were later published in the Journal of
Clinical Gastroenterology.
The hobby of scientific pursuit soon became a vocation.
Even years before Professor LO’s graduation from Bachelor
of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery in 1989, he was
already heavily involved in laboratory research.
Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) had just been invented
around this time and Professor LO learned this art first
hand from the pioneers, namely Sir John BELL, the current
Regius Chair of Medicine at Oxford University. Not only
did Professor LO master the art, he was the first to report
the problem of PCR contamination which all laboratories
nowadays have to safeguard against.
After graduation, Professor LO pursued Doctor of
Philosophy training under the supervision of Professor
James WAINSCOAT. He was awarded the highly
competitive Wellcome Medical Graduate Fellowship.
Motivated by reports on the presence of fetal cells in the
circulation of pregnant women, in 1989, Professor LO used
a PCR assay to target DNA on the Y chromosome to
provide the first molecular proof of the presence of fetal
cells in maternal whole blood. This was his first experience
with non‐invasive prenatal diagnostic research. However,
due to the scarcity of intact fetal cells in maternal blood,
researchers spent decades of efforts without much
progress and have coined the pursuit of non‐invasive
prenatal diagnosis of Down syndrome as the Holy Grail of
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the field.
In the mid‐1990s, publications emerged showing that
cancer‐specific genetic changes can be detected among
cell‐free DNA found floating in the plasma of cancer
patients. Being a lecturer at the Nuffield Department of
Clinical Biochemistry at Oxford at the time, Professor LO
took a note of those intriguing studies. He started to draw
analogies between a growing cancer and a growing fetus.
Both are parasitic on its hosts, both enjoy high growth
rates and the placenta is an invasive organ. Professor LO
hypothesised whether cell‐free fetal DNA existed in the
plasma of pregnant women. It was between his transfer
from Oxford to The Chinese University of Hong Kong to
become a senior lecturer at the Department of Chemical
Pathology, when he began his experiments. He collected
peripheral blood from pregnant women, removed the
blood cells by centrifugation to obtain plasma. He then
extracted DNA by simply boiling the plasma samples, what
he described as like cooking instant noodles, and applied
the PCR assay for detecting chromosome Y DNA
sequences. To much of his surprise, positive signals were
revealed in front of his eyes. In a state of disbelief, he
worried if the positive signals of male DNA were from
himself due to the phenomenon of PCR contamination
which he first reported as a medical student. Only after
the same results were shown after the experiments were
repeated by a female student, then he realised the vast
implications of his novel finding. The data of these earliest
experiments were reported as an article titled, Presence
of fetal DNA in maternal plasma and serum, in the Lancet
in 1997 which has been cited over 700 times to date.
With his newly established laboratory in Hong Kong, he
was ready to fully explore the new field that he had
founded. He reported that cell‐free fetal DNA was present
at a surprisingly high amount of some 10% of all DNA in
maternal plasma. He showed that fetal DNA was rapidly
cleared from maternal plasma after delivery and that fetal
DNA circulated in a highly fragmented form. The fetal DNA
concentration increased with pregnancy associated
complications such as preeclampsia and preterm labour.
He was the first to show the existence of fetal RNA and
fetal epigenetic markers in maternal plasma.
Determined to reach the Holy Grail in non‐invasive
prenatal diagnosis, Professor LO and his team set an
ambitious goal to develop approaches for the direct
detection of fetal Down syndrome through maternal
plasma DNA analysis that could be applied to all
pregnancies. In 2007, Professor LO was the first to use
single molecule counting techniques to measure the
increase in maternal plasma chromosome 21 content that
is associated with fetal Down syndrome. In 2008, the team
adopted the use of next‐generation sequencing for the
non‐invasive detection of Down syndrome. This protocol
was subsequently confirmed by large‐scale validation
studies from multiple research groups that it offered 99%
sensitivity and specificity for Down syndrome detection.
The team further refined the protocol to also achieve
accurate detection of trisomy 18 and trisomy 13. Due to
the high accuracy and robustness of the protocol, the test
became available as a clinical service in end of 2011. The
launch of the service was shortly met by a rapid surge in
clinical demand. In December 2012, the American College
of Obstetricians and Gynecologists published a set of
recommendations supporting the use of the cell‐free fetal
DNA non‐invasive test as a screening test for trisomy 21,
trisomy 18 and trisomy 13 among pregnancies deemed to
be at high risk for these aneuploidies. Similar
recommendations have since been issued by the
American College of Medical Geneticists and the
International Society of Prenatal Diagnosis.
To date, the cell‐free fetal DNA non‐invasive prenatal
screening test is available in more than 15 countries
around the world. Because the test has a false‐positive
rate < 0.5%, which is 10 times lower than the conventional
aneuploidy screening tests, the number of pregnancies
undergoing invasive prenatal diagnostic procedures is
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predicted to reduce substantially. A paradigm shift in the
practice of prenatal diagnosis has been set. Yet, one is just
witnessing the beginning of an era of non‐invasive
prenatal diagnostics. The profile of non‐invasive prenatal
diagnostic tests is destined to expand because more
recently, Professor LO’s team has achieved the direct
assessment of the fetal molecular karyotype, the
assembly of the fetal genome, the detection of single
gene diseases and the determination of twin zygosity; all
through the analysis of cell‐free DNA in maternal plasma.
For these seminal discoveries, Professor LO was awarded
the 2002 Avadesh Saran Memorial Oration Award ; 2005
State Natural Science Award of the People’s Republic of
China in 2005; 2006 International Federation of Clinical
Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine Abbott Award for
Outstanding Contribution to Molecular Diagnostics; 2006
U.S. National Academy of Clinical Biochemistry,
Distinguished Scientist Award; 2006 Cheung Kong Scholars
Achievement Award, Ministry of Education, China; 2009
Fulbright Distinguished Scholar Award; 2012 American
Association of Clinical Chemistry Outstanding
Contributions to Clinical Chemistry in a Selected Area of
Research and 2013 World Academy of Sciences Ernesto
Illy Trieste Science Prize award.
Professor LO is a Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians
(Edinburgh), Royal College of Physicians (London), Royal
College of Pathologists and Honorary Fellow of the Hong
Kong College of Pathologists. To top this list of
distinguished accolades, in 2012 Professor LO was made a
Fellow of the Royal Society, the world’s oldest learned
society dating from 1660; and just two months ago,
Professor LO became a Fellow of the National Academy of
Sciences of the USA. Fellow and guests, I hereby present
to you our Honorary Fellow of the Hong Kong College of
Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, Professor Yuk Ming
Dennis LO. ”
Prof Dennis LO being conferred Honorary Fellow
Citation for Dr TANG Chang Hung Lawrence (Dr
LEUNG Wing Cheong)
“Dr Lawrence TANG graduated from The University of
Hong Kong in 1975 and joined the Department of O&G,
The University of Hong Kong (HKU) as a Medical Officer in
1976 and became a Lecturer in 1978. He completed his
O&G training and became Member of the RCOG in 1980
and then Fellow in 1995. Dr TANG had overseas training in
Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility in University of
Birmingham and University of London in 1980/81.
Afterwards, he continued to be a Lecturer in The
University of Hong Kong until 1985 before he went to
University of Birmingham as a Clinical Lecturer. In 1990, Dr
TANG was promoted to Senior Lecturer in University of
London. In 1991, he went back to Hong Kong and worked
as a Consultant in O&G in Princess Margaret Hospital. In
1993, Dr TANG was appointed as Chief of Service and
Consultant in Department of O&G, Kwong Wah Hospital
(including Our Lady of Maryknoll Hospital from 2002). He
was also appointed as Honorary Clinical Professor,
Department of O&G, The University of Hong Kong, from
1997. In 2005, Dr TANG was appointed as Hospital Chief
Executive of Kwong Wah Hospital and Wong Tai Sin
Hospital. Dr TANG remains active after his retirement in
2011. He was appointed as the Senior Advisor for the
Redevelopment Project of Kwong Wah Hospital, Honorary
Project Director of Shenzhen Binhai Hospital Project (The
13 DialOGue
University of Hong Kong), Honorary Medical Director of
Community Health and Medical Services (Tung Wah Group
of Hospitals), Honorary Consultant of the Association
Concerning Sexual Violence Against Women (Rainlily) and
Honorary Senior Advisor to the Dean (Affiliate Teaching
Hospital System, HKU). He also worked as a part‐time
O&G Consultant in Kwong Wah Hospital. In June 2013, he
is appointed Clinical Professor of Health Care
Management Practice and Director of Hospital
Development Project at HKU LKS Faculty of Medicine as
well as Honorary Advisor to the Hong Kong College of
Midwives.
Dr LEUNG Wing Cheong giving his citation for Dr Lawrence TANG
Despite the heavy commitment in administrative and
professional clinical service, Dr TANG maintains his
subspecialty interest in the area of Reproductive Medicine.
He is an accredited subspecialist in Reproductive Medicine
by HKCOG in 2009. He got his MD (HKU) in 1988 with the
thesis entitled: The Hamster zona‐free ova penetration
assay – study of human spermatozoa fertilizing capacity in
male fertility and infertility. 20 years later, he had a 2nd
thesis entitled: The healthy city and safe community
project in Wong Tai Sin District, for the Fellowships of the
Hong Kong College of Health Service Executives and the
Australasian College of Health Service management in
2008. His academic output included more than 140 papers
in peer‐reviewed journals, book chapters, practice
guidelines, editorials and letters. Dr TANG had delivered
more than 50 invited lectures in O&G as well as health
services management. He was the Editor‐in‐chief of The
Hong Kong Journal of Gynaecology, Obstetrics and
Midwifery (1998‐2005). He also served as an editorial
board member and expert reviewer for a number of local
and international journals. Dr TANG had extensive
undergraduate and postgraduate teaching experience,
both in Hong Kong and United Kingdom.
Dr TANG was the President of our College 2004‐2006,
President of The Obstetrical and Gynaecological Society of
Hong Kong 1997‐1999, Vice‐President of The Hong Kong
College of Health Service Executives 2011‐2013, and
Vice‐President of The Hong Kong Menopause Society
2004‐2006. He was also the founding Council member of a
number of Societies including The Hong Kong
Gynaecological Endoscopy Society, The Hong Kong Society
for Reproductive Medicine, The Hong Kong Menopause
Society and The Osteoporosis Society of Hong Kong. Dr
TANG had been the chairman and member of various
committees under the Hospital Authority, The Hong Kong
College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, Hong Kong
Academy of Medicine, The Obstetrical and Gynaecological
Society of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Medical Association,
The Family Planning Association of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
Santorium & Hospital Ltd., Council on Human
Reproductive Technology Hong Kong and many others. He
also sat on various International Advisory Panels such as
FIGO Advisory Panels on Reproductive Medicine and
Contraception 2001‐2006.
Dr TANG is no doubt an all‐rounded senior Fellow of our
College. His international professional experience, his
dedication and commitment to public patient service,
academic profile, strict discipline and high quality
requirement for patient benefit, his contribution to
training and education, his ability on hospital and health
services management and development, all serve as a
very good example for us to follow. ”
14 DialOGue
Dr Lawrence TANG being conferred Honorary Fellow
After Dr LEUNG Kwok Ling Ares’ concluding remark, it was
the annual dinner. Our talented trainees started the show
with “Trainees 之心路歷程 ”, a video and singing
performance. Dr Belinda LEUNG and Dr Jimmy MAK’s
singing duet, “日與夜” and “來日方長” were just as
wonderful, yet with a completely different flavor. Then,
the “Minute to Win” game brought the fun to new heights.
Indulged in Elvis Presley’s classics by Dr YOUNG Siu Sun,
our Fellows, Members & guests soon realized the night
had gone by too quickly.
HKCOG has got talent. (1)
HKCOG has got talent. (2)
HKCOG has got talent. (3)
Elvis Presley alive (by Dr YOUNG Siu Sun)
15 DialOGue
Invited guest Prof LAU Chak Sing enjoying the show
The future Fellow.
United, our College is strong.
The Postgraduate Seminar was held at the Hong Kong
Academy of Medicine on 10th March 2013. The Organizing
Committee consisted of Dr AU YEUNG Kam Chuen Sidney
(Chairman), Dr MA Wei Ling Teresa, Prof. NG Hung Yu
Ernest, and Dr TAM Wing Hung.
Prof. Rossa CHIU, from Department of Chemical Pathology,
Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK), Dr Raymond SM
WONG, Consultant and Acting Head of Division of
Hematology, Department of Medicine & Therapeutics, The
Chinese University of Hong Kong, and Dr Ivan LO, Senior
Medical & Health Officer, and Deputy Laboratory Director,
Clinical Genetic Service, Department of Health were the
invited speakers.
Immediately after Dr Ares LEUNG’s Opening Address. Prof
Rossa CHIU’s update us on non‐invasive prenatal screening
of Down syndrome. This was followed by Dr LEE Chin
Peng’s talk on Array Comparative Genomic Hybridization
(aCGH) in prenatal diagnosis and Dr Ivan LO’s sharing on
counseling before and after a genetic test.
Prof. Rossa CHIU
Dr Ivan LO
Postgraduate Seminar (March 2013)
16 DialOGue
Dr Raymond WONG kicked off the second session with
management and prophylaxis of venous
thromboembolism. Dr Tracy YEUNG’s presentation on
recurrent miscarriage soon followed. The session ended
with Dr CHEUNG Lai Ping’s update and review on infertility
management.
Dr Raymond WONG
After lunch, the audience was inspired by Dr LAU Wai
Lam’s presentation on successful conservative
management of placenta accrete. Then, Ms Jessie LAI
brought wih us her precious experience in Medicins Sans
Frontieres (MSF). This is followed by Dr Rachel CHEUNG’s
experience sharing on pelvic floor mesh repair. The
seminar ended with Dr Ares LEUNG’s overview on
manpower planning in Obstetrics & Gynecology service.
Attentive audience
HKAM 20th ANNIVERSARY
The HKAM 20th Anniversary Congress will be held from
8th‐10th December 2013. Our College has been assigned
the following sessions:
(1) Application of whole genome technologies in prenatal
diagnosis / preimplantation diagnosis – what does it
mean to clinicians? (by Dr Anita KAN)
(2) Proficiencies and training in medical genetics – what
does it take? (by Prof. TY LEUNG)
MILK PRODUCT PROMOTION CODE OF
PRACTICE
Our College was consulted by Hong Kong Academy of
Medicine on the proposed Code of Practice concerning
milk products. After prolonged discussion, the Council
agreed on the followings.
(1) HKCOG supports breast feeding.
(2) Health‐related information given to the lay public
must be accurate and evidence‐based.
(3) Healthcare professionals should not receive
sponsorship linked to breast‐milk substitutes.
Hong Kong Code of Marketing and Quality of
Formula Milk and Related Products, and Food
Products for Infants & Young Children
Based on the above stance, the College has made the
following reply to the Taskforce.
‐ The HKCOG fully supports breastfeeding.
‐ Contents of all health related advertisements should
be based on evidence. The synthesized total message
of information delivered to the lay public should also
HKAM Matters
17 DialOGue
be appropriate.
‐ It is appropriate to discourage healthcare
professionals from accepting direct personal benefits
and sponsorship from manufacturers and distributors
of formula milk and related products.
‐ In many places in the world, formula milk and related
products are used as nutritional supplements for
children. While Hong Kong citizens also treasure their
freedom of access to information, some parties may
consider it necessary to ensure appropriateness of
information provided to the lay public. There may be
utility to establish mechanisms to advise accuracy and
appropriateness of message.
The HKAM conducted a public relations exercise at the
end of February. Dr Ares LEUNG and Dr Sidney AU YEUNG
attended the event and expressed the views on behalf of
our College.
COUNCIL DINNER WITH GUESTS
Young distinguished Fellows who had received honors or
awards from Colleges would be invited to join HKAM
Council for a dinner to recognize their achievement and to
let them feel more associated with the Academy.
It was agreed that our outstanding Immediate‐Past Chair
of the Trainee Subcommittee, Dr Helen WOO, would be
invited to the dinner.
Dr Ares LEUNG, on behalf of our College, attended the
Annual Fellowship Conferment of the Provisional Hong
Kong Academy of Nursing cum Nursing Charter on
Tobacco Control Signing Ceremony and Celebration Dinner
of International Nurses Day 2013.
Notification of retirement was received from the following
Fellows:
Dr SIT Chun Yue
Dr YANG Nwe Nwe Mon Noreen
Retired Fellowship
Other Events
DialOGue2013
ChiefEditor: DrLOTszKin
EditorialBoard: DrNGKwunSinVivian
DrYUNGWaiKuen
ADDRESS: Room805,HongKongAcademy
ofMedicineBuilding,99Wong
ChukHangRoad,Aberdeen,
HongKong
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from Dr LO Tsz Kin