Honorary University Fellows
Citation delivered by the Acting Dean of Medicine, Professor Raymond Liang:
Dr Vivian Taam Wong is an alumna of this University and a College Fellow of three disciplines: Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Internal Medicine and Public Health.
She is also a human dynamo, filled with motivation and motivating others as well. One might have had some inkling of this when she was named Sportswoman of the Year while at HKU!
Dr Wong identified the route of transmission of hepatitis B from mother to baby and conducted a landmark trial using immunoglobulin and vaccine to prevent transmission, laying the foundation for the prevention of liver cancer in the coming decades.
As Public Health Specialist for the World Bank and Chairman of the “Safe Motherhood Initiative” of the International Federation of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Dr Wong steered the planning of policies to prevent maternal deaths in developing countries.
As Hospital Chief Executive of Queen Mary Hospital, Dr Wong pioneered a number of quality improvement programmes, including the Institutional Review Board for clinical research. This ethos was turned into a Hong Kong-wide movement when she became Director for Professional Services and Medical Development at the Hospital Authority.
Dr Wong has long been an ardent supporter of HKU students and alumni, serving on the Council of St. John’s College and as President of the SJC Alumni Association.
Working with other HKU alumni, she is actively involved in the development of the “Growing Partners” mentorship and social service project. This is yet another example of her commitment to public and social service over three decades covering women, children, handicapped, environment, health and education, in addition to leadership roles in the medical profession.
Dr Wong was appointed Justice of the Peace in 1999 and awarded an Honorary Fellowship from the Open University of Hong Kong in 2006.
It gives me great pleasure, Mr Pro-Chancellor, to present Dr Vivian Taam Wong for the Honorary University Fellowship, in recognition of her contributions to Hong Kong and academia.