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Obituary and Condolences

Obituary - Dr Chan Yuk Choi 陳育才醫生 (1950 - 2011)

The Hong Kong Lung Foundation, the Hong Kong Thoracic Society and the American College of Chest Physicians (Hong Kong and Macau Chapter) mourn the loss of Dr Chan Yuk-Choi who passed away peacefully on 22nd October, 2011 at Queen Mary Hospital in Hong Kong.

Dr Chan was born on 11th April, 1950 in Hong Kong. He went to St Paul's College before qualifying from the University of Hong Kong in 1973. Prior to serving at the Tuberculosis Unit of Wong Tai Sin Hospital in 1990, Dr Chan also worked at the Department of Health and the Tuberculosis and Chest Unit of Grantham Hospital. He pursued further specialist training in Respiratory Medicine at the Royal Brompton National Heart and Lung Hospital in London. As the Chief for over a decade, Dr Chan had successfully transformed the Tuberculosis Unit at Wong Tai Sin Hospital to a modern multi-disciplinary Department of Tuberculosis and Chest. He had served as Consultant Physician at Kwong Wah Hospital, upon integration with Wong Tai Sin Hospital, until his retirement in April, 2010. Dr Chan’s leadership, clinical acumen, and personal participation during the SARS outbreak were crucial in coalescing at the frontline and beyond. Dr Chan was also prolific in his service to the professional respiratory societies in Hong Kong. He was the Honorary Treasurer for Hong Kong Lung Foundation (1999 – 2003) and a Council member to Hong Kong Thoracic Society for over a decade. He acted as a judge for the Hong Kong Lung Foundation Tse Yuen Man Memorial Scholarship.

To his family, Dr Chan was a devoted and kind father, and a loyal and loving husband. His family was of utmost importance to him, and he was a perfect man for such. His gentle nature was always complimented by his passion for marathon running. Dr Chan had friends like no one else, as everyone endeared him for his personality and charisma.

Dr Chan had been a dear friend, an unsung hero for SARS, a great teacher not only mentoring students but fellow colleagues, and a leader in the respiratory community locally and regionally. He was characteristically a low-profile but key player whenever he participated. He did not only nurture knowledge, but also tremendous attitude in work and life, for his followers and colleagues alike. Dr Chan was the most admirable in that he always performed his duties without desire for recognition. Without his devotion and compassion, the respiratory community would never have achieved the current level of success.

His contribution to the chest societies in Hong Kong will be hard to match. His friendship and comradeship will be difficult to find elsewhere. His face and smiles will always be missed painfully. He was a perfect gentleman.

Rest in peace, Yuk-Choi, for you are in eternity.

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