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Message from the President, Prof. Raymond Liang, April 2009
Dear Fellows, The Year of the Rat was full of turbulence. The global financial meltdown has resulted in a state of panic. We have witnessed a massive breakdown of confidence in the financial system worldwide. Quoting Democritus, a Greek philosopher (460 BC – 370 BC): “Do not trust all men, but trust men of worth. The former course is silly, the latter a mark of prudence.” How about trust in our health care service? Our profession has long enjoyed a high level of respect from society. This is built on a solid foundation of clinical excellence, dedication and empathy. We need to sustain this hard-earned trust. Over half of the registered medical practitioners in Hong Kong are Fellows of our Academy and there are another 2000 trainees. Undeniably, our Academy is charged with a noble responsibility. I have been reminding myself of the primary responsibility of the Academy. We are here to promote the advancement of the art and science of medicine; to foster the development of continuing medical education; to promote integrity, ethical conduct and standards in the practice of medicine; to promote the improvement of health care in Hong Kong; to foster a spirit of co-operation among medical practitioners; to facilitate the exchange of information and ideas in medicine and the profession. I believe achieving these goals is the right pathway for ensuring continued trust in our profession. There is no straightforward and easy path to success. The history of success is always composed of recurrent episodes involving striving against challenges, capitalising on our strengths, and seizing emerging opportunities to propagate advancement. The Academy’s 15 years of history is just the beginning of a long journey of striving amidst challenges and opportunities. With the interplay of different dynamics, I believe optimism and determination are the key attributes needed not only by our predecessors, but also by us, and future generations, in order to overcome the challenges ahead. Our success depends on our efforts when working together as a team, in synergy. The Academy needs your input and support and I am looking forward to receiving your ideas and views. Wishing you and your family a prosperous Year of the Ox!
Professor Raymond Liang |
