Dear Fellows and Trainees,
Prof. Raymond Liang (President of Hong Kong Academy of Medicine), the Hon Dr.
Leung Kar Lau (Medical Functional Constituency Representative at the Legislative
Council), Dr. Gloria Tam (Deputy Director of Department of Health), Mr. Anthony
Wu (Chairman of Hospital Authority Board), Dr. Hung Chi Tim (Cluster Chief
Executive of Kowloon Central Cluster representing Chief Executive of Hospital
Authority), Presidents & Representatives of sister colleges of Hong Kong Academy
of Medicine, guests, fellows and members of Hong Kong College of Emergency
Medicine, it is my honor and privilege to stand here, speaking to you all, in the
capacity of President of Hong Kong College of Emergency Medicine.
Just a bit of history. Our college was established in 1996, 15 years ago, and was then
incorporated into the family of Hong Kong Academy of Medicine one year later in
1997. Our college is still the youngest amongst all the other sister colleges within
Hong Kong Academy of Medicine.
Each term of the presidency of our college lasts for 3 years and each president is
allowed to continue for 2 terms, i.e. 6 years, consecutively, of course, through an
election process. One may elect to come back for 1 more term after a period of
interruption. Simple arithmetic will tell you that I should be the 6th president if each of
my predecessors served for only 1 term, i.e. 3 years. Yet I am only the 4th. Dr. Chung
Chin Hung was our founding president, followed by Dr. Wong Tai Wai and then Dr.
Lau Chor Chiu, our immediate past president. It may be very similar as well in many
other sister colleges. For the past 15 years of our history, there was only 1 nomination
list for the president election and, in fact, for all the office bearers’ positions.
There are, at least, 2 possible interpretations for the scenario I just quoted.
- The college business has been very stable. Everyone is happy. The governing
structure is well supported by our fellows / trainees. No one wants to change. I
guess you probably will not believe in this fairy tale.
- Rather the opposite may be more likely. Since I handed in my nomination
form to run for presidency in July, I had visited ~1/3 of all the training centers
and I will continue to visit the rest after today. Unlike many of our legislative
councilors or government officials, I was well treated at all centers. There was
no harsh question and hand shaking was the only physical contact. Silence
amongst colleagues prevails and the chief of the department I visited and I,
myself, had done most of the talking. I then realized that there might be lack
of expectation or interest among our trainees and fellows on college’s matters
and therefore no anticipation. My speculation is probably verified during the
process of the 2 recent postal ballots on councilor election and amendment of
Memorandum & Agreement. It was so close that the 50% quorum was only
barely met.
In medicine, it is generally true that management of negative symptoms is much more
difficult than that of positive symptoms. It will be the challenge of me and the new
council to revive the interest of our fellows and trainees on college’s matters in the
coming 3 years. I would, therefore, appeal for your support and frank advice.
Lastly, I would like to make a wish, which might be unusual or even inappropriate
when speaking at the commencement of a new term of office. I wish I shall not be
standing here again 3 years from now or if I am going to stand here addressing to
you all again, it is through an election process with 2 or even more candidates. The
college cannot serve you better without knowing your concerns. Please speak up at
all channels and I can guarantee you that the college council will be more open and
transparent in future.
HO Hiu Fai
President
September 2011
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