Rosie Young

Book excerpt: In Rosie Young: A Lifetime of Selfless Service, Moira Chan-Yeung presents a brief history of Professor Young’s remarkable career in medical education and administration at the University of Hong Kong (HKU) and her wide-ranging public service to the community over many decades. As the first female dean of HKU’s Faculty of Medicine, her career was deeply intertwined with the socio-economic development of Hong Kong. After her retirement from HKU, she continued to serve HKU and the community up to the present. This book illustrates her many contributions to the development of medical education in Hong Kong and to the university administration at HKU. Professor Young’s extensive public service in the field of medicine also helped improve primary care, hospital care, and public health in Hong Kong. In short, this book provides a valuable record of a female giant in Hong Kong’s medical history and documents her selfless and enduring service to the HKU community and Hong Kong society. ‘As a graduate and staff member of the Faculty of Medicine at HKU, I am extremely lucky to have been a student and later a colleague of Professor Young—not only because of the knowledge, skills, ethics, and compassion that I learned from her as a medical practitioner and researcher, but also the passion, dedication, perseverance, and wisdom that I see radiate from her as an educator, administrator, public servant, and trailblazer. As vividly illustrated in this exquisite book, Professor Young is an institution at HKU and in our city, as well as a role model for the people of Hong Kong.’ —Chung-mau Lo, Secretary for Health, Government of the Hong Kong SAR, China ‘When going through Moira’s manuscript on Rosie, I could hear the little giant talking, meticulous to the details and warm from the bottom of her heart. Rosie’s immense contributions to university administration, medical service, and public education in Hong Kong are truly inspiring. Finishing all seven chapters of heavy but enjoyable reading in one seating for me is a rare feat!’ —Lap-chee Tsui, former vice-chancellor, University of Hong Kong ‘Professor Rosie Young is our role model. In the traditionally male-dominated world of Hong Kong, she fought decades to become a top leader of the medical profession and at HKU. In her various roles, she has helped numerous needy patients, students, colleagues, and beyond. This book is an inspiring must-read for everyone in the medical community.’ —Kwok-yung Yuen, Henry Fok Professor in Infectious Diseases, University of Hong Kong